CONGRATULATIONS TO JOIA TRAVER! SHE HAS WON THE DAVE FERGUSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD OF 500.00 FROM THE BAXTER COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT FOR BEST THESIS ON: HEALTHY SOILS - HEALTHY LIFE.. THE AWARD MONEY AND CERTIFICATE WAS PRESENTED TO HER BY ONE OF THE 5 BOARD MEMBERS, SALLY HALL AT LAST NIGHTS AWARD CEREMONIES AT THE DUNBAR AUDITORIUM... CONGRATULATIONS JOIA.
ARKANSAS ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST SHARE PROGRAM /HIT LINK BELOW
COVER CROPPING FOR POLLINATORS/ HIT THE LINK BELOW.
WORKING TREES FOR POLLINATORS / hit the link below.
BAXTER COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT T -SHIRTS. 15.00
all different sizes. kids too. support conservation, get yours today! WE HAVE 3 DIFFERENT COLORS. SPECIAL COLORS CAN BE MADE.
CHASE DEER AWAY!!!!
RECIPE TO CHASE DEER AWAY FROM YOUR PLANTS!!
2 RAW EGGS, 2 CUPS OF WATER, 1-4 CLOVES OF GARLIC AND 2 TBL. OF HOT SAUCE, BLEND ON HIGH SPEED IN BLENDER. ALLOW TO SIT COVERED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEN POUR OR SPRAY OVER PLANTS. REAPPLY WHEN NECCESSARY. SAYS IT WORKS....HUM M M WE WILL SEE!!!
2 RAW EGGS, 2 CUPS OF WATER, 1-4 CLOVES OF GARLIC AND 2 TBL. OF HOT SAUCE, BLEND ON HIGH SPEED IN BLENDER. ALLOW TO SIT COVERED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEN POUR OR SPRAY OVER PLANTS. REAPPLY WHEN NECCESSARY. SAYS IT WORKS....HUM M M WE WILL SEE!!!
APRIL 11TH 2016 FIELD DAY EVENT... INTRODUCING OUR NEW GRASSLAND SPECIALIST ROBERT BENEDICT.
ARKANSAS CERVID CARCASS IMPORTATION RESTRICTION
A CERVID IS ANY MEMBER CERVIDAE FAMILY, WHICH INCLUDES WHITE-TAILED DEER, MULE DEER, RED DEER, SIKA DEER, AXIS DEER, FALLOW DEER, ELK, MOOSE, AND CARIBOU.
THE PURPOSE OF THE RESTRICTION IS TO FURTHER INCREASE PROTECTION AGAINST CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE (CWD) ENTERING THE STATE VIA INFECTED CERVID CARCASSES.
WHAT IS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE?
CWD IS A NEUROLOGICAL (BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM) DISEASE FOUND IN DEER, ELK, AND MOOSE AND IS ALWAYS FATAL. CWD IS SIMILAR TO MAD COW DISEASE IN CATTLE AND SCRAPIE IN SHEEP. THE DISEASE BELONGS TO A FAMILY OF DISEASES KNOWN AS TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES OR PRION DISEASES. PRIONS ARE ADNORMALLY SHAPED PROTEINS THAT ARE NOT DESTROYED BY COOKING. PRIONS GENERALLY ACCUMULATE IN THE BRAIN, EYES, SPINAL CORD, LYMPH NODES, TONSILS,A ND SPLEEN OF INFECTED ANIMALS.
IT IS NOT COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD HOW CWD IS SPREAD, ALTHOUGH RESEARCH SUPPORTS THAT THE AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISEASE MAY BE SPREAD DIRECTLY (ANIMAL-TO-ANIMAL). IT IS THOUGHT THAT THE MOST COMMON MODE OF TRANSMISSION FROM AN INFECTED ANIMAL MAY BE THROUGH SALIVA AND FECES. THERE IS STRONG EVIDENCE THAT PEOPLE HAVE SPREAD THE DISEASE BY MOVING INFECTED ANIMALS AND PORTIONS OF THEIR BODIES. THERE CURRENTLY IS NO EVIDENCE THAT CWD IS TRANSMISSIBLE TO HUMANS. HOWEVER, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS RECOMMEND THAT HUMAN EXPOSURE TO CWD-INFECTED ANIMALS BE AVOIDED.
FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE AND A COMPLETE LISTING OF EACH STATE'S CARCASS IMPORTATION REGULATIONS, VISIT WWW.CWD-INFO.ORG
PRESCRIBED BURNING
THE BENEFITS IN PRESCRIBED BURNING
Prescribed burning is a very important management tool. for maintaining and enhancing grasslands. Fire is an important natural part in the development and maintenance of grasslands, forest, and wetlands. This is something that has been done throughout history.
To many of us, fire is a feared enemy that destroys everything in its path. We should not look at it that way. because of this fear the use of controlled fires, such as prescribed burning is under-utilized as a management tool for improving and maintaining habitats.
Long ago tall grass prairies and open brush lands were kept free of trees by the occasional wildfires that cleared the landscape every two to fifty years. These fires were caused by lightning or set intentionally by Native Americans. They had discovered that fire killed woody plants, But, encouraged fruit bearing shrubs, and forage producing grasslands.
Today's research and experience has shown that prescribed burning can be an effective management tool. Prescribed burns are used most frequently to maintain and restore native grasslands. Prescribed burning will recycle nutrients tied up in old plant growth and control many woody plants and herbaceous weeds, improve poor quality forage, increase plant growth, reduce the risk of large wild fires, and improve certain wildlife habitat.
Even brush lands can be rejuvenated and maintained with fire which will benefit species such as bluebirds and sharp tailed grouse. The burning of old fields can control saplings and woody vegetation, and improve grasslands for use by nesting wildlife and grazing livestock. Forest openings can be manipulated with burns to benefit more than 150 wildlife species. Up land nesting cover used by pheasants, waterfowl and songbirds will remain productive if periodically burned. Cattails and waterfowl and songbirds will remain productive if periodically burned. Cattails and sedges are returned to vigor by a occasional burn. Lastly, if you want more oaks in a hardwood stand, a fire will kill off less tolerant species such as maple, and basswood, allowing the oak to compete mote successfully. Burning is also more cost-effective than other treatments like bull dozing, cutting, or chemicals.
Objective's to a Prescribe Burning
1. To Kill woody plants
2. To Remove grass and wildflower dead vegetative
3. To Promote regrowth of warm season plants
4. To Promote regrowth of cool season plants
5. To Reduce or set back noxious weeds
6. To Increase populations of wild flowers
7. To Reduce cat-tail mono-cultures
8. To Reduce wild fire fuel build-up
9. To Promote growth of fire dependent trees such as Jack Pine
10. To Increase populations of threatened and enlarged species
Notification for both safety reasons and legal are a must.
Other considerations are.. Burns need to be conducted by individuals who are experienced and trained in the use of fire.
Plan fo firebreaks! This is an area that will contain a fire within its boundaries.
Timing is everything. The timing of a burn determines the plants which will be benefited and controlled.
Weather Conditions:
A burn plan will outline the weather conditions which must be met before the burn is conducted.
Temperature, wind direction speed, humidity all need to be taken into account for a good safe burn.
Prescribed burning is an important managemnt tool and experienced and trained individuals should be there to conduct the burn under the guidance of a burn plan.
Safety should always be the top priority for a burn.
In form your neighbors and local fire department of what you are going to do.
I hope this will help and inform the public on prescribed burning.
Prescribed burning is a very important management tool. for maintaining and enhancing grasslands. Fire is an important natural part in the development and maintenance of grasslands, forest, and wetlands. This is something that has been done throughout history.
To many of us, fire is a feared enemy that destroys everything in its path. We should not look at it that way. because of this fear the use of controlled fires, such as prescribed burning is under-utilized as a management tool for improving and maintaining habitats.
Long ago tall grass prairies and open brush lands were kept free of trees by the occasional wildfires that cleared the landscape every two to fifty years. These fires were caused by lightning or set intentionally by Native Americans. They had discovered that fire killed woody plants, But, encouraged fruit bearing shrubs, and forage producing grasslands.
Today's research and experience has shown that prescribed burning can be an effective management tool. Prescribed burns are used most frequently to maintain and restore native grasslands. Prescribed burning will recycle nutrients tied up in old plant growth and control many woody plants and herbaceous weeds, improve poor quality forage, increase plant growth, reduce the risk of large wild fires, and improve certain wildlife habitat.
Even brush lands can be rejuvenated and maintained with fire which will benefit species such as bluebirds and sharp tailed grouse. The burning of old fields can control saplings and woody vegetation, and improve grasslands for use by nesting wildlife and grazing livestock. Forest openings can be manipulated with burns to benefit more than 150 wildlife species. Up land nesting cover used by pheasants, waterfowl and songbirds will remain productive if periodically burned. Cattails and waterfowl and songbirds will remain productive if periodically burned. Cattails and sedges are returned to vigor by a occasional burn. Lastly, if you want more oaks in a hardwood stand, a fire will kill off less tolerant species such as maple, and basswood, allowing the oak to compete mote successfully. Burning is also more cost-effective than other treatments like bull dozing, cutting, or chemicals.
Objective's to a Prescribe Burning
1. To Kill woody plants
2. To Remove grass and wildflower dead vegetative
3. To Promote regrowth of warm season plants
4. To Promote regrowth of cool season plants
5. To Reduce or set back noxious weeds
6. To Increase populations of wild flowers
7. To Reduce cat-tail mono-cultures
8. To Reduce wild fire fuel build-up
9. To Promote growth of fire dependent trees such as Jack Pine
10. To Increase populations of threatened and enlarged species
Notification for both safety reasons and legal are a must.
Other considerations are.. Burns need to be conducted by individuals who are experienced and trained in the use of fire.
Plan fo firebreaks! This is an area that will contain a fire within its boundaries.
Timing is everything. The timing of a burn determines the plants which will be benefited and controlled.
Weather Conditions:
A burn plan will outline the weather conditions which must be met before the burn is conducted.
Temperature, wind direction speed, humidity all need to be taken into account for a good safe burn.
Prescribed burning is an important managemnt tool and experienced and trained individuals should be there to conduct the burn under the guidance of a burn plan.
Safety should always be the top priority for a burn.
In form your neighbors and local fire department of what you are going to do.
I hope this will help and inform the public on prescribed burning.
