2023 Star Plus Program
Shavano CD is now accepting applications from agricultural producers in our District who expand or introduce soil health practices in their operations. Reimbursement of $75 per acre, up to $5,000 total per year for 3 years will be awarded to participants in this program. It is a 1 to 1 match.
Improving soil health, a key component of responding to the effects of climate change in agricultural landscapes, can improve available soil moisture, reduce agricultural runoff, decrease erosion, and support more productive, nutritious crops. Funding for these grants comes from the Climate Smart Commodities grant, awarded to Colorado Department of Agriculture from the United States Department of Agriculture last fall.
For more information contact Shavano Conservation District, Penny Bishop at 970-964-3584.
Improving soil health, a key component of responding to the effects of climate change in agricultural landscapes, can improve available soil moisture, reduce agricultural runoff, decrease erosion, and support more productive, nutritious crops. Funding for these grants comes from the Climate Smart Commodities grant, awarded to Colorado Department of Agriculture from the United States Department of Agriculture last fall.
For more information contact Shavano Conservation District, Penny Bishop at 970-964-3584.
Additional STAR PLUS program resources provided by the Colorado State Conservation Board at: https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/soil/participate/star-plus
Local Work Group Meeting and Survey
Every year Shavano Conservation District hosts a Local Work Group Meeting to gather feedback from landowners and agricultural producers within the district regarding their resources concerns. This year the Local Work Group Meeting was held in conjunction with our Annual Meeting and Dinner on March 14, 2023. However, if you were not able to attend the Meeting, there is still time for you to contribute your thoughts on the direction of land stewardship within our District. Not only does the outcome of the Local Work Group Survey provide direction for the Conservation District annual plan of work, but it also provides local priorities, information, and concerns for NRCS financial and technical assistance administration and implementation. This is your opportunity to have a voice in NRCS programs available at our local office. This survey is intended for landowners with the Shavano Conservation District area. For more information (in a pdf file) on how survey results are utilized by NRCS, click here.
To complete the Local Work Group Survey, click here. This survey is submitted anonymously.
Click here to print a pdf of the survey and email or mail it to Shavano Conservation District at shavanocd@gmail.com or 102 Par Place, Montrose, CO 81401.
To complete the Local Work Group Survey, click here. This survey is submitted anonymously.
Click here to print a pdf of the survey and email or mail it to Shavano Conservation District at shavanocd@gmail.com or 102 Par Place, Montrose, CO 81401.
Flood Prevention Dams
SCD operates and maintains 3 earthen flood prevention dams, which were created to protect thousands of acres of farmland in the Uncompahgre Valley.
· Shavano Dams 1 & 2
· Roatcap Dam
· Shavano Dams 1 & 2
· Roatcap Dam
Adult Environmental Education
· Irrigation and Water Efficiency Seminars
· Local Work Group Meetings
· Newsletters and newspaper articles published on conservation issues and programs
· Project, cover crop, and rangeland tours
· “Conservation Teacher of the Year” award
· Ag In the Classroom Summer Teacher’s Institute scholarships
· Offer conservation information at Montrose County Fair, Ouray County Fair, and community events & festivals
· Local Work Group Meetings
· Newsletters and newspaper articles published on conservation issues and programs
· Project, cover crop, and rangeland tours
· “Conservation Teacher of the Year” award
· Ag In the Classroom Summer Teacher’s Institute scholarships
· Offer conservation information at Montrose County Fair, Ouray County Fair, and community events & festivals
Education Programs
2023 4th Grade Natural Resource Festival
May 9, 2023, 8am-3pm (Rain Date May 11, 2023)
The 4th Grade Natural Resource Festival will be on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 8:00am-3:00pm, and Rain-date Thursday May 11, 2023. This is a day of fun and learning! 4th grade classes engage in activities to learn how we use natural resources (water, air, soil, plants, animals, minerals, and sunshine) daily, their importance to our lives, and how we can better conserve them.
Classes will rotate activity stations every 25 min, with a 5 min passing time. There will be 13 rotations – 7 in the morning and six in the afternoon, with a lunch break between. Lunch is provided for volunteers and station presenters.
If you would like to volunteer and/or facilitate a station activity, I can provide some activity ideas and I am open to new ideas also.
On behalf of the Shavano Conservation District, I look forward to your attendance in another educational, entertaining, and successful event. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please call or email Mendy Stewart, ph. 970-964-3582, mendy.stewart@co.nacdnet.net
Classes will rotate activity stations every 25 min, with a 5 min passing time. There will be 13 rotations – 7 in the morning and six in the afternoon, with a lunch break between. Lunch is provided for volunteers and station presenters.
If you would like to volunteer and/or facilitate a station activity, I can provide some activity ideas and I am open to new ideas also.
On behalf of the Shavano Conservation District, I look forward to your attendance in another educational, entertaining, and successful event. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please call or email Mendy Stewart, ph. 970-964-3582, mendy.stewart@co.nacdnet.net
School Registration Form (downloadable pdf) Online School Registration Form
Festival Information for Teachers
Festival Information for Teachers
2022 5th and 6th Grade Conservation Poster Contest
Contact Mendy Stewart at 970-964-3582 or mendy.stewart@co.nacdnet.net for more information
5th and 6th Grade Contest Packet and Entry Form
5th and 6th Grade Contest Packet and Entry Form
2023 Earth Day Coloring Contest
City of Montrose Earth Week Website and Coloring Contest Information
Stewardship Week
April 24-May 1, 2022
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Every April Shavano Conservation District provides watershed non point source pollution presentations for local elementary classes in recognition of Stewardship Week (the last Sunday in April through the first Sunday in May). This video filmed by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District in Ohio is similar to the presentations provided by the Shavano Conservation District.
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Irrigation WAter Management
IWM is the act of timing and regulating irrigation water application so that it satisfies the requirements of the crop without wasting water, soil and plant nutrients, and degrading the soil.
· Work with producers scheduling irrigations
· Installation and maintenance of loggers and sensors
· Assist with eRams and CoAgMet irrigation monitoring
· Work with producers scheduling irrigations
· Installation and maintenance of loggers and sensors
· Assist with eRams and CoAgMet irrigation monitoring
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