Training opportunity: Stream Stabilization and Restoration

Stream Investigation, Stabilization & Design Workshop
With an emphasis on Innovative Approaches to Stream Stabilization and Restoration
August 2-4, 2010
Maxwell, Iowa

Classroom Location:
Polk County Conservation Board
The Chichaqua Longhouse
8700 NE 126th Ave
Maxwell, Iowa 50161

This workshop will introduce the methodologies and procedures for initiating, planning, analyzing, and ultimately designing long-term sustainable river and stream stabilization or restoration projects.  Innovative, environmentally sensitive, and cost-effective approaches to restoration will be discussed. Comprehensive case studies will be presented.  Rain gear, boots, and field clothes are recommended for the field trips.  After July 15th, lectures will be posted on the FTP site: ftp://chlguest:3bit5map@134.164.34.99:21/DERRICK-LECTURES

Workshop Sponsor: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland regulatory Assistance Program (WRAP) & USACE, Rock Island District

Instructors: Dave Derrick, Research Hydraulic Engineer with the Corps of Engineer’s Engineering Research and Development Center’s Coastal & Hydraulics Laboratory (ERDC-CHL)

For more information and to register, contact Al Frohlich at 309/794-5859, Albert.J.Frohlich@usace.army.mil

Minnesota's Invasive Species Tour -- July 16th

Save the date July 16, 2010 to attend the MN SWCS summer tour at Lake Mille Lacs. The topic is "Minnesota’s Invasive Species: From the trees to the water, what do they do and what do they look like?"
See the tentative agenda (pdf) for more information. This is a great opportunity to see invasive species problems and solutions first hand.

Should the national SWCS develop a position statement on climate change?

Take a moment  to comment on the resolution proposed below. It will be discussed at the House of Delegates meeting at the national SWCS meeting on July 18th. Comments placed here will be carried to the discussion by the MN Chapter delegate.

Resolution: The Empire (New York State) Chapter of the SWCS recommends that the Soil and Water Conservation Society develop a position statement on the evaluation, development, and promotion of agricultural conservation practices to reduce and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. We recognize the need to maintain the efficacy of conservation practices to maintain and improve our soil and water resources to provide for increasing needs for food, fiber and bio-energy production. We also recommend that a committee be formed to work with the other professional organizations such as ASA/SSSA/CSSA/AAAS to develop a joint position statement on this issue. The individual SWCS and/or the collective position statement(s) could be formalized with a press release at the SWCS international annual meeting in Washington, D.C. in 2011. The Empire Chapter is relying on the Leadership of this professional society to develop the position statement and necessary collaborations.

Go to the following link for further background about the resolution and a full agenda for the House of Delegates Meeting.