EDUCATION
BMP COST-SHARE & TAX CREDIT
EQUIPMENT RENTAL

EDUCATION: (back to top)

FIELD TRIP

Coordinate a natural resources field day for your school or classroom utilizing various resource professionals within the area. The activities can be done at the school or off-site.

Field trip to a stream to evaluate water quality using the Izaak Walton League of America's Save Our Streams program.

Topics:

• Environmental assessment/data collection
• Watersheds
• Lake Ecology
• Forestry/Trees
• Wildlife
• Maps - Topography
• Soils

IN - CLASS ROOM

EnviroScape - Through the use of the EnviroScape tabletop model. Students will learn the impact that humans can have on our natural resources with a hands-on approach demonstration. Students will understand the concept of a watershed, where point source and non-point source pollution originates, and what management practices can be implemented to prevent pollution. The discussion and demonstration can be modified to meet the needs of grades 2-12

Soils - A variety of activities that will help students know more about soil. Activities include run-off tables to show erosion, soil properties, soil's ability to support life, etc.

Project WET is a Curriculum and Activity Guide for K-12. A collection of water related activities that are hands-on.

Project WILD is a Curriculum and Activity Guide for K-12. An interdisciplinary environmental education program emphasizing wildlife.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is a Curriculum and Activity Guide for K-8 and 4 high school modules. PLT uses the forest as a "window on the world" to increase students' understanding of our complex environment.

The staff can also lead activities from these curriculum within the classroom setting.

VIRGINIA AGRICULTURAL BMP COST-SHARE PROGRAM: (back to top)

The New River Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting applications for the state's Best Management practice (BMP) cost-share program. The conservation district includes Carroll and Grayson counties and the city of Galax. The program reimburses landowners 75 percent of installation costs for approved practices.

The practices help reduce erosion and soil loss from the land and filter sediment containing fertilizer and pesticide chemicals before it can reach nearby waterways. Certain pesticides help store animal waste to prevent runoff into rivers, lakes, and streams.

In order to qualify for these funds, a conservation plan must be written for the land, and the conservation district board must approve the practices in advance. There are caps for the amount of money persons can receive, and those who receive funds must meet certain criteria-which include maintaining the practice for a certain period of time, as well as being subject to periodic inspections.

Landowners should contact the New River Soil & Water Conservation District in order to start the process. For more information about this program, contact the New River Soil and Water Conservation District at (276)236-7191, extension 3.

How to qualify for the Cost-share program.....

1. Contact the New River Soil & Water Conservation District to sign-up. This must be done prior to any BMP installation.
2. Develop or update your conservation plan.
3. The new River Soil and Water Conservation District Board must approve the cost-share application.
4. Install the BMP's to NRCS specification.
5. Technical inspection and approval of the BMP's are made.
6. Present bills and other supporting data to District staff.
7. The District will issue payment to landowner at specified cost-share rate.

Note:
Installation of practices must be completed by the established expiration date.
Each BMP has a life span and random spot checks will be performed over the life of the project to insure each practice is still viable.

Best Management Practices (BMP's)
(A partial list)
FR-1 Reforestation of erodible crop and pastureland
FR-3 Woodland buffer filter area
FR-4 Woodland erosion stabilization
SL-1 Permanent vegetative Cover on cropland
SL-3 Stripcropping systems
SL-3B Buffer stripcropping
SL-5 Diversion
SL-6 Grazing land protection
SL-8 Protective cover for specialty crops
SL-8B Small grain cover crop for nutrient management
SL-11 Permanent vegetative cover on critical areas
WL-1 Field boarders
WL-2 Idle land
WP-1 Sediment Retention, Erosion, or water control structures
WP-2 Streambank protection
WP-2B Stream crossings & hardened access
WP-2C Stream channel stabilization
WP-3 Sod waterway
WP-4 Animal waste control facility
WP-4B Loafing lot management system
WP-4E Pumps to empty animal waste structures
WP-6 Agricultural chemical & fertilizer handling facility
WQ-1 Grass filter strips
WQ-4 Legume cover crop
WQ-6 Constructed wetlands

EQUIPMENT RENTAL: (back to top)

The New River Soil and Water Conservation District provides No-Till Seeders an No-Till Tobacco Transplanters for low cost rental. Studies show that No-Till Seeders minimize water erosion on cropland, saves time and doesn't require as much equipment usage. Please contact us at 276.236.7191 for more information.