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--The
TROUT SALE is underway for 2012.
We need your orders by Friday May 18th. Trout
pick up will be at noon on Thursday, May 24th here at our office at 21
Enterprise Drive.
Here is the order form.
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--The
spring newsletter won't be out for awhile. That will be an electronic
version unless you subscribe for $10. Here
is the January, 2012 edition.
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--The
tree sale pick-up went pretty well. Thanks to everyone who remembered to get
their plants. It isn't yet clear if we will have a "left-over sale" this year.
Fedco has altered their spring strategy and we are not yet sure how that will
work.
Here
is the plant list and order form.
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--If
you want to take a look at the Kennebec District's Annual Report of 2011 and
plans for 2012, take a look here.
This is a copy of the report we submit to the Dept. of
Agriculture every year. An abridged version with more pictures will
be available soon.
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--The
2012 Envirothon season has started. The MidCoast Regional at Thomas College was
on April 26th. We had great weather. Congratulations to Piscataquis High
School; Mt. Ararat-team A; Belfast High School; and Mt. Ararat-team-B for
coming in 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th. The State Envirothon at UMaine, Orono is on May
31st.
Check out the MACD website for Envirothon information.
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Natural
Resource Assessment for Kennebec County
-
Here is a copy of the report for Kennebec County. The report has been
submitted to NRCS. The maps and other appendices are large documents. They are
available along with the report on the 'Conservation Projects'
page to the left.
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The
Maine DEP recently modified their website. We have posted a list of the modified
links on our "Useful Links"
page.
If
you are looking for gravel/camp road materials,
go here.
If
you want permit information, including the Permit by Rule [PBR]
go here.
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Maine Farm-A-Syst Program - Our Natural Resource Assessment identified
"Ground Water Quality and Protection" as a high priority. Here is a resource
that you may want to take advantage of. The Androscoggin Valley SWCD has worked
with the Maine CDC Drinking Water Program and developed a number of materials
for landowners to use in order to complete a self-evaluation of their property's
impact on ground water resources. They have a number of forms you can used to
help understand the impact of your land use on ground water and how to minimize
your impact. The assessment tool is developed for farms but can also assist the
general property owner or other type of business.
Check
their website at
http://www.androscogginswcd.net/Farm-A-Syst.htm
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Here at the
Kennebec District --
**We are beginning to gear up for the 2012 field
season. We expect to be doing a number of Road Maintenance Plans again this
year. Given the lack of snow this winter, we have even done a few this winter. - If you are interested to learn how such a long range plan could
help your road group, give us a call.
**It isn't clear yet how the LakeSmart
program is going to work this coming field season. At this point it seems that
LakeSmart work will not include the Soil & Water Districts. That work will be
done either by watershed association personnel or directly by Maine DEP staff.
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Dale's garden update --
see
Dale's Garden Page
--- The compost started to work again on March
19th. It is now at about 120°
-- Most of the potted plants are leafing
out. Survival rate was good.
-- Daffodils are peaked and Tulips are
blooming.
-- The Nanking Cherry and the Plum are
still blooming. Other fruit trees are also blooming.
-- It isn't clear what the hot weather may
have done this spring but the soils are very dry and when you do spring shrub
planting remember to water regularly.
-- Forsythia's are nearly passed.
.
For local weather information you may want to check
www.WUnderground.com
for very local information and history
_
This spring you may purchase from the tree and shrub bank!!!
If you are thinking about spring planting from the leftovers, take a look at the list from Dale's Garden
Page, or
take a look at the list here.
I should have a current list of the "survivors" by the end of April.
It is a good time
to focus on your soils for the coming year. A simple
list for soil improvement is 1) enhance organic material, 2) prevent soil
compaction, 3) avoid excess tillage, 4) manage pests & nutrients EFFICIENTLY, 5)
keep the ground covered [cover crops] and 6) diversify your crops. For a
good discussion of soil improvement check out the following.
Click
here for the specific article.
When
planning buffers and other ways to control erosion and stormwater damage on property and along shorefront,
check out the
Conservation Fact Sheets and other information
at the Maine DEP
website or the Portland Water
District website. Both of these websites have more than just the Fact
Sheets for information you may find useful.
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Calendar of Events/Workshops and other opportunities.
click here for events to keep on your calendar for the
coming months
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Kennebec County
