Beaver Tales – Beaver County Conservation District Updates

The Beaver County Conservation District held a spring tire collection event on April 1st and April 2nd at the district office. We accepted light truck and car tires up to 20” off rim at a cost of $2.50 per tire. This discounted price was possible through the West Nile Virus Grant for education and habitat reduction. We collected over 1,000 tires during the 2-day event. Like our past tire collections, we used the services of Liberty Tire Recycling. We had such success last year that this year we had a 53-foot trailer delivered. With the help and hard work of district staff, volunteers and Gateway Rehab, we filled the trailer ourselves.

This year we tried a new approach by advertising with our local county radio station, WBVP. They invited us to participate in an interview about the tire collection. We also discussed the need to reduce mosquito habitat by removing old tires from neighborhoods and personal properties, mosquitoes, and West Nile Virus. It was a great experience and outreach opportunity, and we had a positive response from listeners within the county.

On Saturday, we had the assistance of local Girl Scout troop #46769. The girls helped with the collection and helped with offering refreshments to the participants. Our Environmental Educator, Heather Humbert, offered educational displays in our Mobile Environmental Education Center that explained the mosquito life cycle, protective methods against mosquitoes, and examples of the program’s surveillance traps. We offered informational brochures, mosquito dunks for environmentally friendly larval control for homeowners, and mosquito activity books for the kids.

We had a great turn out this year. Many local citizens commented on how happy they were that someone was offering such an event, since tires are so difficult to dispose of. They were happy to find somewhere that would recycle them. We are hoping to hold another tire event in the fall of this year and are planning another event next year.

We thank all the residents who participated and helped reduce mosquito habitat in Beaver County!

Key Agricultural Environmental Requirements

Farmers need to be aware of important requirements for farm operations. Two key items include an ag erosion and sediment control plan and a manure management plan. These plans provide a guide to improve your farm operation.

An Ag Erosion and Sediment control plan outlines the steps being taken on a farm to minimize these concerns. If you till more that 5,000 square feet or have an animal heavy use area of that size, a plan is required. A plan must identify your farm and tracts. A plan must show Best Management Practices (BMPs) to limit soil loss to T. Maps of the farm must be included which show streams, fields and property boundaries, animal heavy use areas, roads as well as existing and planned BMPs.

A manure management plan outlines how manure from livestock will be managed. All farms that land apply manure must have a manure management plan. Some operations with greater than two animal units per acre may require a higher level nutrient management plan. A manure management plan must list the acres of the operation as well as the number and type of animals. Manure application rates and sensitive environmental areas must be listed. Winter application, manure storage facilities and manure stockpiling areas on the operation must be addressed. Pastures and animal concentration areas must also be included in the plan.

The conservation district is a key asset to farmers. The district can provide assistance to farm operators as they write these required plans. Contact the district Agricultural Conservationist, Rich Voytko, to get started.

Environmental Education

Beaver County’s annual Envirothon was held at the Brady’s Run Lodge on Wednesday, April 13th. Make sure to check out our District website and Facebook page for the announcement of the winners. The winning high school team will then have the opportunity to compete in the state competition on May 25th in Mifflinburg, PA.

Several of our Envirothon coaches and teams have made use of our Study Bins while preparing for the competition, during which teams test their knowledge in the areas of aquatic ecology, wildlife, forestry, soils & land use, and a current environmental issue. The winning Envirothon team will also have use of these materials for hands-on training for as long as they wish up until the time of the state competition.

Once the Envirothon season has ended, these hands-on learning materials are available for other groups to borrow for either their own programs or for District-led education opportunities. To learn more about what is included in the bins, please visit our website: www.beavercountyconservationdistrict.org or contact the Conservation District today!