Congratulations to the following North Dakota Chapter members on their 2007 Awards!

Steve Merrill - Outstanding Service Award

Dr. Don Tanaka - Conservation Research Award

Jennifer Hegge - Commendation Award

Gene Goven - Honor Award  

The ND Chapter SWCS had five representatives and one guest attend the 2006 Northern Plains Regional Technical Workshop in Cody, Wyoming.

The following was written and submitted by Kristin Wild, current Secretary/Treasurer ND Chapter SWCS:

Majestic horizons, soaring mountain peaks, grizzly bears, and an obscure hot dog joint appropriately named "Mustard’s Last Stand" – yep, Cody, Wyoming has it all. Jen Hegge, Richard Webb, and I started our trek west for the SWCS Northern Plains Technical Meeting, looking forward to a change in scenery. Hour by hour, we watched the view off in the horizon transform – the badlands of western north Dakota, the rolling plains of eastern Montana, and ultimately the snow-capped peaks of Wyoming. After many out of tune renditions of songs on the radio, fast food pit stops and photo ops, we finally arrived in Cody.

We began the conference with a social Thursday night and watched presentations on the wildlife photography of long-time NRCS photographer Jeff Vanga, along with the harrowing tale of Sundance DC Terry Everad’s experience of surviving a grizzly attack. The number one thing we learned was to appreciate living in a state without grizzly bears! Friday morning, we boarded a bus and headed out on the North Fork Ranch Tour. I don’t know how the conference organizers managed to pull it off, but the first wildlife sighting of the tour was of a grizzly bear. There he was, fresh out of hibernation, rambling along the river bank. The driver turned the bus around on a dime and with binoculars in hand, we all watched in amazement. Visions of the presentation the night before flashed through our minds as each of us secretly gave thanks for the school bus that stood between us and that large carnivore. A well known saying popped into my head, "If the bear comes charging this way, you only have to make sure you can run faster than the person next to you," which in my case just happened to be JR Flores. Luckily, I didn’t have to test that theory. I’d hate to be the one responsible for our state conservationist being eaten by a bear. It’s funny how an animal of that size makes you realize that we really aren’t at the top of the food chain. But the wildlife sightings wouldn’t end there. As the tour progressed we spotted elk, a bald eagle, bison, mule deer, antelope, and lots of big horn sheep.

We also learned about the unique conservation practices that are in place to help humans and bears peacefully co-exist – bear proof garbage receptacles and various electric fencing installations, along with a fencing project in Wapiti that community members erected to surround their school’s playground. The tour concluded with a visit to Buffalo Bill Cody’s hunting lodge and Hell’s Canyon hot springs.

During the afternoon we covered several topics including the 2007 Farm Bill, watershed planning efforts in Wyoming, the 2006 Annual SWCS Conference in Keystone, CO and even dirtied our hands with an attempt at soil painting. We also viewed a fabulous documentary produced by Mike Collins and Jerry Forester (DC Sheridan, WY) about Tom Doughty, the first SCS employee in Wyoming. Tom worked as range examiner in Lander, WY from 1935 through 1965. Much of his career was spent battling the challenges of early conservation during the dust bowl years. During, his career, Tom met many distinguished people, including JFK and Hugh Hammond Bennett. But his claim to fame was sitting and talking in every kitchen in western Wyoming. It was an interesting, enlightening and touching film that all NRCS employees should take the opportunity to view.

The weekend ended with a tour of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in downtown Cody. This beautiful museum features exhibits on western art, firearms, the life and culture of the Plains Indians, the multi-layered ecosystems of Yellowstone, along with Bill Cody’s experiences in the wild west. We were only able to stay for a few hours and still did not have the chance to see everything that this place has to offer.

The Wyoming chapter did a fabulous job of organizing the conference. We met so many new people and our group came back with tons of ideas for our chapter. It was an amazing weekend in an amazing place - an experience I’m sure we’ll never forget.

Keystone, Colorado
July 22^nd – 26^th, 2006

The ND Chapter SWCS had six representatives attend the 2006 International SWCS Convention in Keystone, CO.

The following was written and submitted by Fred Aziz, current Historian ND Chapter SWCS:

The awards ceremony at the Annual conference of the Soil and Water Conservation Society in Keystone, Co began with a noon banquet on Tuesday to honor this year’s awards recipients. Over 120 society and family members were there to honor this year’s winners.

These recipients are those whose dedication is helping to advance the conservation of our natural resources. Nominations for many of these honors come from across the United States and around the world to those who have demonstrated leadership, creativity, and dedication in delivering technical assistance to landowners, communities, or local governments.

Among those recipients were North Dakota’s own. The Fellow Award was given to Jon Stika. The designation of Fellow is conferred on Society members who have preformed exceptional service in advocating the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. This award is given for professional excellence, first and foremost. Professional achievement may be in practicing, investigating, administering, or teaching soil and water conservation or closely related fields. Only Society members with at least 10 years of membership are eligible.

The Harry and Kay Scholl Excellence In Conservation Award was given to Blake Vander Vorst. This award recognizes individuals who provide technical assistance, demonstrates effectiveness and creativity in conservation planning and plan application.

The Honor Award was given to Andy Mork. The Honor Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments compatible to the mission of the Society.

The Commendation Award was given to Jill Howard. The Commendation Award gives international recognition to Society members for service to their chapter or council of chapters.

Congratulations to all. Keep up the good work. These individuals are among the best of the world and they are our own.

The following were written and submitted by Mike Collins, current Council Representative ND Chapter SWCS:

Leadership Development Workshop

Mike Collins presented a Collaboration PowerPoint at the Leadership Development Workshop on Saturday, covering the steps, reasons, obstacles and rankings of the collaboration process.

Mike Collins attended the day long Watershed Hydrology Course on Sunday. The Course started with concepts of storms and the collection and storage function of watersheds, followed by the discharge function, soil storage and the water balance.

"Nature to be commanded must be obeyed"

Learning the difference between hydrographs and hyetograph was also covered during the collection function stage.

"Understanding the Hydrologic Model and the types of storage from depression, channel, retention, detention, ground water and vegetation and understanding the interaction between them was the highlight."

Technical Tour Highlights

We visited an active Snowtel site and discussed an automated pillow which measures snow depth and density to give water equivalent for western water runoff predictions.

The following was written and submitted by Richard Webb, current Council Representative ND Chapter SWCS:

The entire SWCS conference in Keystone, Colorado was an excellent experience; but the highlights were the Leadership Development Workshop and the Technical Sessions. 

The Leadership Development Workshop focused on improving the quality of product the local SWCS chapter provides to its members and potential members, such as offering Continuing Education Units for workshops and offering workshops on "non-traditional" topics for other professional organizations. 

I attended a technical session on Targeting Riparian Buffer Placement which provided some unique insight on design and prioritization of buffer practices, as well as discussion with professionals from private sector and state government agencies. 

The multiple opportunities to network with conservation professionals from different states and countries were very interesting and a great way to recharge and refocus on resource conservation.

The following was written and submitted by Jennifer Hegge, current President ND Chapter SWCS:

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, here about 5,000 for you to take in…

 
Stream Corridor near Breckenridge, CO restored

Networking: Jennifer (ND); Danny (KY); Henry (GA); and Phil (NY)

Family nigh was a night to enjoy good company, good food, good music, and activities for the kids.

I was once again privileged to attend the Annual Soil and Water Conservation Society International Convention. This year, the setting was perfect. Keystone, Colorado offered a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains, perfect weather, astonishing hospitality, and a very successful annual meeting.

I represented our ND Chapter during the Delegates meeting. No resolutions were voted on. Discussions included: our downward trend in membership, communication between chapters and our Ankeny National Office, future Farm Bill issues, the important stand SWCS takes in supporting scientific and research based conservation, CEAP Blue Ribbon Panel, and the success and reputation of our Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Society.

Jean L. Steiner, outgoing SWCS President gave the 2006 State of the Society Address which can be read at: http://www.swcs.org/en/about_swcs/board_of_directors/index.cfm?nodeID=10098&audienceID=1

Theo Dillaha became the National SWCS President during the Annual Convention. The following are your current National Board of Directors: Harold Klaege, Debroah Cavanaugh-Grant, Joe Harbour, Don Wysocki, Ira Linville, Becky Fletcher, Peggie James, Jerry Hatfiled, Jim Hotaling, Jean Steiner, Shannon Brown, and Theo Dillaha

Aberdeen, South Dakota
October 4^th – 6^th, 2006

The following was written and submitted by Fred Aziz, current Historian ND Chapter SWCS:

This was the theme of the Joint meeting of the ND and SD Chapters of the Soil and Water Conservation Society and the Society for Range Management, The Professional Soil Scientist Association of SD, and the Professional Soil Classifiers Association of ND.

The meeting was held at the Ramada Inn in Aberdeen, SD on October 4-6, 2006. There were 12 members from the ND SWCS chapter and 96 persons overall in attendance at the meeting.  On Thursday we listened to sessions on "Composting for Erosion Control", "Integration of Prescribed Fire, Patch-burn Grazing", and "Grassbanking into Traditional Grazing Systems" in the morning.

In the afternoon we listened to sessions on "Carbon Sequestration/ Soil Carbon/ Soil Quality ", "Switchgrass as a Renewable Energy Source", "Capture More Raindrops Where They Fall" and "Resource Mgmt. on the Vollmer Angus Ranch"  Throughout the day each of the Associations presented Highlights of their Activities. We each broke out for our business meetings in the afternoon.  In the evening was the Awards Banquet honoring each organizations Scholarship winners and Award Winners followed by an Auction. Lots of items were auctioned off and all had a fun time.

Above: A successful auction with Chapter Presidents assisting in sales.

Friday we went on tours of The Nature Conservancy and a soils presentation by PSSASD followed by the Heartland Grain Fuels Ethanol Plant.  The whole meeting presented excellent opportunities to learn and network.

Above: Jackie Henderson receives ND Chapter SWCS Chapter Professional Award

The Falkirk Mining Company receives ND Chapter SWCS Business Stewardship Award

Dr. John Berdahl receives ND Chapter SWCS Chapter Service Award

Jennifer Hegge receives ND Chapter SWCS Horizon Award