Conservation Starters

On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we are joined by TCD's Senior Natural Resource Specialist, Emily Landrus and Natural Resource Specialist, Aimee Richardson to discuss our farm equipment rental program. Together, we discuss all the details about the low-cost farm equipment and hand tools we rent as a resource to our local community. We also dive into the types of equipment we have available, what community members use them for, and we give you all the tips and tricks you need to be successful!

Resources

• Tool & Equipment Rental Webpage
• No-till Drill How-to Video
• Soil & Nutrient Testing Webpage
• Farm Resource Library Webpage
  • Manure Management Guide
  • How to use and Compost Horse Manure
  • Pasture Management Calendar

 On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by our local Master Gardener, Cor Carlton, WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter Program Manager. Together, we talk about the two programs she manages and discuss how to get involved. She shares fall gardening tips and we share information about our annual plant sales. 

Resources:

• WSU Thurston County Extension Website
• WSU Thurston County Extension Gardening/Composting/Recycling Resources Webpage
• Have a Gardening or Waste Reduction Question? Have a WSU Master Gardener or Master Recycler Composter answer your question. Learn more here.
• Upcoming Events and Outreach
• Plant Sale – Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County
• Thurston County Solid Waste Upcoming Events/Workshops
• USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
• Great Plant Picks
• Burke Herbarium Image Collection
• Oregon State University Landscape Plant Database
• Thurston Conservation District Native Plant Sale

On this month's episode of Conservation Starters sit down with TCD's Senior Natural Resource Specialist, Kendall Carman to better understand the way we support community members in the Thurston County. Together, we break down what terms like technical assistance and cost-share mean. We also discuss what these processes look like and share resources and ways to get involved. 

Resources:

• Kendal Carman, [email protected]
• TCD Resource Library
• Recorded Webinars
• Natural Resource Conservation Service
• WSU Extension
• Voluntary Stewardship Program Podcast Episode

This podcast is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we sit down with Thurston Conservation District's Stewardship Forester, Alex Chacon to discuss how TCD is now offering more support for forest landowners in our community. We dive into what "healthy forests" can look like and we discuss the importance of planning for your forest land. We also explore the topic of climate assisted migration and talk about what this management technique can look like in our region. Tune in to learn more!

Resources:

• Alex Chacon, [email protected]
• Learn more about TCD's technical assistance and conservation planning
• Emerald Ash Borer Podcast Episode
• WSU Extension Forestry

 On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we sit down with Thurston Conservation District's Habitat Restoration Specialist, Joey Burgess to discuss the role of riparian buffers on our landscape. We discuss the benefits of adding plants along streams and river and outline two TCD programs that offer financial support for landowners to implement conservation projects on their property. Tune in to learn more about riparian buffers, CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program), and the new Tiered Incentive Program! 

Resources:

• Joey Burgess, [email protected]
• WSCC CREP
• WSCC Riparian Grant Program: Tiered Incentive Program
• Role of Riparian Buffers Webinar - June 5th, 2024. RSVP here.
• Low-tech Process Based Restoration of Riverscapes

On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we sit down with Thurston Conservation District's Community Agricultural Coordinator, Tina Wagner to discuss urban agriculture in our local community. Together, we dive into challenges facing our food system like access to healthy food and the land needed to grow the produce we all love.  We showcase two new projects that will support our local food system and our urban farmers. Tune in to hear more about the NEW Farm my Yard program and hear how we are working to build more community gardens in Olympia.

Resources:
Tina Wagner, [email protected]
Farm my Yard
Workshop Recordings
Upcoming Events
GRuB
WSU Master Gardeners
WSU Extension

On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by Senior WSU Extension Coordinator & Educator, Erica Guttman and Native Plant Salvage's Learning & Outreach Coordinator, Cameron Dunn. During our time together we dive into the wonderful world of hedgerows! We discuss the benefits of adding hedgerows to your landscape and walk through the amazing hedgerow toolkit Erica and Cameron have recently developed. We chat about our ongoing partnership and discuss upcoming ways to learn more about this exciting work. Tune in to hear more of this inspiring conversation!

Resources:

• Upcoming Events
• Hedgerow Toolkit
  • How-to Handbook
  • Videos
  • Toolkit Resources
• Hedgerow Webinar Recording
• Native Plant Salvage

 On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by Davy Clark, Nisqually River Education Project Program Director and Tristan Olson, Nisqually River Council Program Coordinator. Together we jump in and explore the Nisqually River Watershed. We discuss how each of their partnered organizations are working towards creating a healthier watershed, that restores ecosystems functions, promotes sustainable resource use, and creates ongoing educational opportunities. Davy and Tristan also share ways community members of all ages can get involved in creating a healthy Nisqually River Watershed.  

Resources:

• Contact Info - [email protected] or 360-438-8715
• Social Media - @nisquallyriver
• https://nisquallyriver.org/
• Nisqually River Watershed Stewardship Plan
• Citizens Advisory Committee
• Nisqually River Council Meetings
• Nisqually Stream Stewards
• Nisqually River Education Program

On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by TCD's Executive Director, Sarah Moorehead. Sarah is back on the podcast to discuss what TCD has been up to over the last two years and what we can expect to see in TCD's future. We discuss our upcoming move, big organizational goals, funding priorities, and exciting new projects. Sarah lets our listeners in on big updates and even participates in a fun rapid fire question session.

Resources:
Learn more about our two day upcoming Growers Conference
Become a TCD Board of Supervisor Member

 On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by Patrick Shults, WSU Extension Forester and resident agroforestry expert! Together, we discuss the growing popularity of agroforestry, a practice blending agriculture and forestry practices. We dive into the types of emerging agroforestry practices and discuss what benefits were seeing for not only our environment, but for our local farmers too.

Resources:

• Patrick Shults, WSU Extension Forester, [email protected]
• Check out agroforestry resources here.
• Check out Patrick's podcast Forest Overstory here.
• Sign up to receive TCD's newsletter here.