Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
Upcoming Projects
Native Plant Garden Mini-Grant Opportunity
The IERCD is excited to announce the beginning of its Native Plant Garden Mini-Grant! This grant aims to provide local schools within our District with the opportunity to start a new or expand an existing on-site native plant garden.
The IERCD is excited to announce the beginning of its Native Plant Garden Mini-Grant! This grant aims to provide local schools within our District with the opportunity to start a new or expand an existing on-site native plant garden. The attached Grant Packet thoroughly explains the requirements and contents of the opportunity. The grant will only take place while funding lasts, so please submit an application if you are interested!
For more information on other Free Education Programs, Opportunities and Giveaways, please navigate to the Education Tab.
NRCS Cost Sharing Programs
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is now taking applications from agricultural producers for the Air Quality, On-Farm Energy, Organic and Seasonal High Tunnel conservation initiatives.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is now taking applications from agricultural producers for the Air Quality, On-Farm Energy, Organic and Seasonal High Tunnel conservation initiatives. All four initiatives offer technical and financial assistance through the NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Producers are encouraged to contact NRCS Redlands Field Office prior to the February 3, 2012 application deadline for guidance. We accept applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year and are available for conservation technical assistance.
Air Quality Initiative: NRCS helps producers address air quality concerns by reducing airborne particulate matter and greenhouse gases. Assistance includes establishing cover crops, planting windbreaks, implementing nutrient management practices and applying other conservation measures that mitigate and prevent air quality problems.
On-Farm Energy Initiative: NRCS and producers use energy audits to develop energy conservation recommendations. Farm equipment, processes, and a farm headquarters are assessed for power usage and efficiencies in livestock buildings, grain handling operations, and similar facilities to support the farm operation.
Organic Initative: NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conservation practices for organic production.
Seasonal High Tunnel Pilot Initiative: NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels-- steel framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. More than 4,000 high tunnels have been planned and implemented nationwide through this initiative over the past two years.
Visit the NRCS national website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov for more information, or contact Sarah Ulloa, Soil Conservationist at (909) 799-7407 ext. 111.
Low Water-use Plant Promotion
IERCD was invited to expand its work with the SBVMWD through participation in a proposed low water use plant promotion in cooperation with Home Depot stores. This program seeks to reduce personal water use within the Inland Empire by encouraging the planting of low water use plants.
In December of 2010, IERCD was invited to expand its work with the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (Valley District) through participation in a proposed low water use plant promotion in cooperation with Home Depot stores. This program seeks to reduce personal water use within the Inland Empire by encouraging the planting of low water use plants. Valley District, in cooperation with the California State University San Bernardino Water Resources Institute, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Eastern Municipal Water District and Western Municipal Water District (Team) are presently developing this program which will include educational opportunities to teach residents about low water use plants and open houses at water conservation gardens which will give them an opportunity to see the plants in a garden setting. One of the overarching goals of the program is to break the stigma that low water use planting consists only of decorative rock and cactus. To encourage people to move from learning to planting, the Team has been working with Home Depot to promote this program in their Inland Empire stores through unique “branding” and some parking lot sales designed to stimulate interest. The program will be implemented from April thru June of this year.
SBVMWD staff have asked the IERCD for assistance with the public outreach portion of this promotion. The IERCD will be adding instruction on low water use plants to their existing environmental science-based classroom program and will also conduct workshops in Valley District’s service area for community members which will provide attendees with samples of native plants as well as other promotional materials. Currently, the IERCD is scheduling these aforementioned promotions to area city councils and community groups.
For more information on upcoming dates of workshops and promotions including location and time, please contact SBVMWD Manager of Engineering and Planning Bob Tincher at 909-387-9215/ bobt@sbvmwd.com or IERCD District Manager Mandy Parkes at 909-799-7407 x 106/ mparkes@iercd.org .