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The Go To Agencies for Wildlife

August 27, 2010 By The Project Leave a Comment
Fawn

One of the frustrations of wildlife conservation is determining who's in charge. At the state level, state agencies are responsible for managing most wildlife and fish populations. They set seasons and bag limits for species that are hunted and fished (e.g., deer, cottontails, trout, bass, bullfrogs). They're also responsible for the welfare of nongame species. In Pennsylvania, for example, the Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission manage wildlife and fish. Furthermore, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Conservation Tagged With: fish and wildlife service, fws, government agencies, noaa, nrcs, wildlife, wildlife conservation

Feeding Birds in the Spring and Summer

August 20, 2010 By The Project Leave a Comment
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We were recently asked if it was acceptable to feed birds in the Spring and Summer when so much natural food is available.  The folks at the Cornell Lab for Ornithology had this to say....... Yes, it is. Some people prefer not to feed birds when natural food is abundant. However, during spring and fall migration (which begins in late July!), bird feeders can be very welcome sources of food for exhausted migrants. During exceptionally cold, rainy spells, bird feeders can even save some songbirds' lives. In the summer, there is usually … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Conservation Tagged With: bird feeding, birds

Tree Topping and Storm Damaged Trees

August 18, 2010 By The Project 1 Comment
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Many of us, all across the country, have experienced storm damaged either from the harsh winters or devastating springtime and summer storms.  Many of the trees damaged by severe storms will have large broken branches.   Repairing trees damaged like this is often difficult and more time consuming than the simpler job of "topping" them.  Topping is a very destructive approach to pruning trees and is not recommended.    Our friends at the Nebraska Forest Service have some advice concerning Tree Topping. What is Tree Topping? According the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Land Management Tagged With: fertilizing, mulching, nebraska forest Service, pruning, storm damage, storm damage and trees, tree topping

Tips and Techniques – Water Terms

August 10, 2010 By The Project Leave a Comment
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Water is always a topic that seems to come up whenever folks are buying land, selling it, or improving what they already own.  What is the difference between a creek and a stream?  a pond and a lake?  What is meant by riparian doctrine?  What is watershed?  a gaining stream?  porosity? Whether you are buying, selling, or improving, it is best to understand what these terms mean, and sometimes it can be an overwhelming task to search a host of different locations for such information.  We have compiled a list of nearly 100 terms that will … [Read more...]

Filed Under: How To Tagged With: brook, creek, discharge, dispersion, eutrophication, field capacity, gaining stream, lake, limiting factor, percolation, pond, porosity, riparian doctrine, stream, water, watershed

Farmland Provides Good Returns

August 6, 2010 By The Project Leave a Comment
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Over the years farmland investment has yielded a very competitive rate of return compared to other investments.  However, about half of the return comes from appreciation in land, which can be unpredictable and it does not provide any cash to cover expenses or mortgage payments. Recent research breaks down the years between four distinctly different periods: The farm boom period from 1970 to 1981 The farm crisis from 1982 to 1987 The recovery period from 1988 to 2003 The Ethanol Boom from 2004 to 2009 During the farm boom period, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Land Investment

Plants for Wetlands

August 5, 2010 By The Project Leave a Comment
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Many landowners have areas on their property that are considered wetlands or could be made into a wetland.  However, most are not familiar with the type of trees and shrubs which thrive in that type of environment. For a complete guide to creating a wetland on your property, listen to the audio podcast of this topic which is available for premium members.  Not a premium member, join now. Native Trees Tolerant of Wet Soils Red and Silver Maple River Birch Catalpa Ash Cottonwood Swamp White Oak Sycamore Native Shrubs Tolerant … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Conservation Tagged With: plants, plants for wetlands, wetlands

Stream and Wetland Crossings

August 4, 2010 By The Project Leave a Comment
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Many landowners find themselves needing to cross a creek, stream, or wetland on their property and many times,  it becomes a monumental and/or an expensive endeavor.   Crossing such waterways or wetlands can harm water quality, wildlife, and even alter the water flow....not to mention the potential of damage to any equipment a landowner might be using.  Proper planning is imperative and the lack of it can cause more problems down the road.  Most states have requirements concerning creek or wetland crossings and often a permit is needed. Fords, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: How To Tagged With: building temporary road across a creek, corduroy crossings, culverts, fords, pole rail crossings, PVC Pipe Bundles, stream and wetland crossings, Tire mats, wood mats, wood panels

Weed Wiper: Good for You and Bad for Weeds

August 3, 2010 By The Project Leave a Comment
Weed Wiper 1

Have you ever needed to spray your pasture, but it was too windy? Or have you ever needed to spray but didn't want to damage your clovers and other legumes? Do you want to save money, cut down on herbicide rates and help the environment? Then consider a weed wiper as your herbicide application method. If you can graze desirable forages so that weeds are 6 inches taller than the forages, a weed wiper will work for you. Many people are unfamiliar with wiper or wick applicators. However, they have been used for years to control volunteer corn in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Land Management Tagged With: herbicide, invasive species, pasture, rotowiper, weed control, weed wiper

Birding Camp

August 2, 2010 By The Project Leave a Comment
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While you may think all of today's youth are sitting on the couch watching video games, think again.  Andrew Theus from Midland, GA is passionate about birdwatching, a hobby he shares with his entire family.  This summer, Andrew attended a Birding Camp in Maine and here is his story........in his words. This summer I was fortunate enough to be given the incredible opportunity to be a part of Hog Island’s Audubon Camp for teens run by Project Puffin, on the coast of Maine, through the generous Richard Parks Young Birder’s scholarship given … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoor Lifestyle Tagged With: birdwatching, georgia ornithological society, GOS, Hog Island Camp, project Puffin

Government Conservation Programs

July 28, 2010 By The Project Leave a Comment
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There are many government programs available to land owners thanks to the 2008 Farm Bill.  While some are more commonly known than others, all have the potential to assist land owners with a variety of issues.  In addition to CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) which seems to be the most commonly known program, there are five programs offering financial assistance and four which are easement programs.  As with all government programs, there are stipulations as to what type of land is eligible, the length of the agreement, and the responsibilities … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Conservation Tagged With: AMA, AWEP, CSP, EQIP, farm bill, FRPP, government conservation programs, GRP, HFRP, WHIP, WRP
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