Farm Bill Conservation for Forestlands

January 21, 2010 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

The National Association of Conservation Districts tells us about the USDA Farm Bill: What’s in It for Woodland Owners? The Farm Bill’s conservation programs are not just for rowcrop systems.  There are lots of opportunities to help improve your woodland acres, too.

How *Not* to Use a Field Guide

January 14, 2010 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

A little off topic, I know, but I thought it was funny.

How *Not* to Use a Field Guide, Part II.  Yip yips still can’t get it right.

Categories: Humor, Uncategorized Tags:

Pollinator Resource Center

December 31, 2009 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

The Xerces Society has re-organized their pollinator resources – now you can get regionally-specific information on native plants, pesticides, pollinator conservation, and native bee nest management.  If you are coming here for pollinator resources, hop over there because they do pollinators better than anyone.

Trout Amid the Cows – Thanks to CRP

November 30, 2009 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

Spring Switchgrass Harvest

November 25, 2009 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

Lee et al. (2009) examined the impact of fall and spring harvests on biomass yield in switchgrass and other potential bioenergy grasses.  There was little drop-off in biomass yield in spring harvests compared to fall for switchgrass, and big bluestem actually produced slightly more in spring.  This is great news for wildlife conservation.  Spring biomass harvests would preserve valuable winter cover for birds and other critters, and more closely mimic natural disturbance regimes.  And, still provide a profitable biofuel crop.  Now that’s what we mean by practical conservation

Conservation Reserve Program Wordle

November 16, 2009 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

I just thought it looked cool.  Make your own at wordle.net.

crpwordle

Rain gardens

November 14, 2009 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

Now that’s practical conservation!  Rain gardens for everyone.

 

Publications from National Bobwhite Technical Committee

November 13, 2009 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

The National Bobwhite Technical Committee has a new website.  Lots of good publications for managing quail on their publications page.

Bobwhite Restoration Project

September 17, 2009 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

My colleagues just completed a multi-state northern bobwhite research initiative. The final report was just published by NRCS and is available online.  It summarizes a suite of research projects that will improve conservation on farms. A quote from the Foreward should pique your interest – “You will find clear, concise recommendations and the kind of conservation practices to use on your farm or recommend to others for quail restoration. Much of the bobwhite’s needs are supported by farm bill programs approved by Congress and administered by USDA NRCS.”L. Pete Heard

Flooded Fields for Birds

August 20, 2009 Sam Riffell Leave a comment

National Geographic features “Walking Wetlands” – flooded fields for shorebirds. This has been used for waterfowl in the Mississippi Delta for a long time.