Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District

Apples are Ready!! Did you know that apples give you energy without sugar highs!

Check out all the places you can go get local apples here https://www.applesfromny.com/find-apples/

New York Apples

Are you a landowner in New York State with 5 or more acres of forestland? If so, you may be eligible to apply for Round 4 of DEC’s Regenerate NY program!! Regenerate NY is a cost-share grant program that helps promote forest regrowth and resilience on privately owned land. Applicants will work with a forester to develop a management plan using practices that promote forest regeneration including:

🌳 Afforestation (establishing a new forest in a previously open area)
🌳 Reforestation
🌳 Restoring forests through treatments that boost productivity
🌳 Controlling competing vegetation, such as invasive plants
🌳 Creating deer exclosures

Interested in learning more? Visit the Regenerate NY webpage at https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/private-forest-management/regenerate-new-york-grant-program

Key words here are Native Plants and Flowers!!

Give us a call!

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Did you know a carrot really can help you eyes?!

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Looking for wildflower seeds for next year? Now's the time to collect them!

Hey Golfers! Did you know?

What recreational activity do you prefer? Golfing, birding, or BOTH?

"The golf industry is getting greener and improving its environmental game with bird-friendly best practices." A recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife article states, "New clubs are choosing designs that preserve as much native habitat as possible, embracing the win-win opportunities that come with supporting biodiversity. By providing valuable habitat and supporting conservation initiatives, golf courses have the potential to serve as a sanctuary for golfers to enjoy both the sport and nature in action."

Read more about bird-friendly gold courses here: https://www.fws.gov/story/bird-friendly-golf-courses

Credit: Bird Themed Golf Terms, Rosalie Wetzel/USFWS, Public Domain, https://www.fws.gov/media/bird-themed-golf-terms

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The Super Blue Moon is coming! It'll be full on Monday but will look full this weekend!

What is the Super Blue Moon?

The "super" part of its title refers to the moon's orbit, which brings it slightly closer to Earth this month, upping its size and brightness. The "blue" part means that this is the third of four full moons this season, an unusual occurrence.

A blue moon happens once every two or three years on average, according to NASA, but a blue moon that's also a supermoon is even more uncommon. The time between super blue moons can be as much as 20 years ― but in general, 10 years is the average.
*A warning about this month's full moon: It's unlikely to appear blue: Blue-colored moons in photos are usually made using special blue camera filters or photo editing apps.

Also known as the sturgeon moon because the giant sturgeon fish of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this part of summer," the Old Farmer's Almanac said.

The next super blue moon will be in January 2037.

Next Full Super Moons:
Sturgeon Moon: Aug. 19
Harvest Moon: Sept. 17
Hunter's Moon: Oct, 17
Beaver Moon: Nov. 15

Growing and storing your own vegetables and fruit is very popular, if you want to take it a step further check out this class!

Master Food Preservers are trained and certified volunteers who assist CCE Niagara in their efforts to provide up-to-date food safety and preservation information to Niagara County residents. After a comprehensive, hands-on training, volunteers serve as a local community resource providing food preservation information to community members by conducting community education and outreach. Types of volunteer service might include:

• Supporting food preservation workshops taught by Extension staff.
• Answering consumer questions about food safety on our hotline.
• Writing social media posts with our Extension staff.
• Providing demonstrations and/or Q&A sessions at the Niagara County Fair or community events.

In order to become a trained and certified Master Food Preserver Volunteer the following steps must be completed.

1. Submit completed application.
2. If accepted, attend intensive hands-on training course.
3. After successful completion of the course, complete and document 40 hours of food preservation experience.
4. Receive your Master Food Preserver Certificate.
5. Provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service per year with CCE Niagara to stay an active Master Food Preserver.

Open to the public, anyone age 18+ welcome to apply, from any county. Apply and learn more on our website.
https://cceniagaracounty.org/events/2024/10/01/master-food-preserver-workshop-2024

A virtual meeting will be held August 12st from noon til one on the Eighteenmile Creek AOC. DEC's Great Lakes Program and officials from the Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District will provide details and criteria establishing support for the removal of the Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations BUI from the Eighteenmile Creek AOC. Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with DEC, coordinates restoration efforts under the Eighteenmile Creek AOC Remedial Action Plan.

DEC, Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District virtual public meeting on Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District announced a virtual public meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, to update the public about restoration efforts in the Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern (AOC) in Niagara Cou...

New York's maple syrup industry continues to thrive, demonstrating the state's significant role in this quintessential North American product. In 2022, 1,479 farms across the state set nearly 3 million taps to produce an impressive 760,198 gallons of maple syrup. This production resulted in $29.6 million in sales, highlighting the economic importance of this woodland crop to New York's agricultural sector.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off in Newfane - August 17th 9-Noon for All Niagara County Residents!

Clean out your sheds, basements and garages of unwanted household materials and safely dispose at no cost!

Acceptable items include: Paint, Solvents, Chemicals, Auto fluids, Cleaners, Fluorescent Bulbs and Pesticides.
Unacceptable Materials: All Batteries, Tires, Ammunition, Waste Oil.
Fees for Propane Tanks, Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers

ADDRESS: 6176 McKee St. (Newfane Highway Dept.)

Register Here:

Niagara County HHW (Newfane) | Calendar | Hazman Hazman Drop-Off Events « Back to Hazman Drop-Off Events Niagara County HHW (Newfane) HHW Collection Event Saturday August 17th, 2024 9:00am-12:00pm Newfane Highway Department 6176 McKee Street Newfane NY 14108 The Niagara County Refuse Disposal District will offer 2 Household Hazardous Waste drop-o...

A helpful hint for campers!
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It's - Bessy says swing on by our tent at the Niagara County Fair to spin the wheel and learn fun facts and win a prize!

Ice Cream!!

Its the last day of National Ice Cream Month!

Please join us in Congratulating Lakeshore Dairy in the Town of Wilson and Freatman Farms in the Town of Cambria as our 2024 Niagara County AEM Farms of the Year for 2024! 🎉

We would like to acknowledge these two farms that we have been working with that have been implementing water quality protection projects. The projects have been designed and constructed to protect our streams and natural resources and have been implemented through the agricultural environmental management program (AEM).

These farms have recently completed the installation of best management practices on their farms. Some of these best management practices were cost shared with state and federal resources, and some the farms undertake on their own, and there is a substantial commitment –both financially and with their time and effort to do these projects.

These are only a couple of the farms that have participated in the AEM program and there are many more that have completed similar type projects over the last few years. We know the good work that our farms are doing and we want to acknowledge some of their efforts.

Freatman Farms installed an agri-chemical handling facility to limit the potential of soil and water contamination while filling sprayers. The facility gives them a fully contained concrete pad that collects any spills during storage, mixing and filling operations at the farm. The facility was constructed on three feet of fill to protect it from inundation from future storm events like the one we had in July 2021 and it protects the groundwater in the sandy soils located at the farm. The farm also plants 70 acres of cover crops each year to protect the soil from erosion and improve soil health on the farm.

Lakeshore Dairy has implemented many projects over the years but the last two involved the collection and treatment of silage leachate from the bunk silos at the farm. They are currently installing a bunk silo and have installed a system to collect, contain and store any concentrated leachate running off the feed storage area along with a vegetated treatment area to treat runoff during storm events. They also have installed a concrete low flow collection channel on their existing bunk silo to make the maintenance and operation of the collection system easier to maintain and more efficient in the collection of leachate.

Both farms were presented with an AEM sign to recognize their participation in the AEM program and their efforts to protect and conserve the natural resources in our County. On behalf of our staff and our board of directors, I would like to congratulate and thank these farms for their hard work in protecting our environment and making Niagara County a great place to live.

AEM is a program for advancing voluntary conservation on our farms. Our office provides assessments, planning and technical services to farms to assist them with efforts to protect the environment. We develop conservation plan and best management practices are implemented by the farm.

Congratulations!

Come visit us at the Niagara County Fair!
July 31st- August 4th

Check out these who knew facts about Chickens!🐔🐥🐣🐔

A couple of more of my favorite... they eat a lot of bugs and snakes! Their eggs are great and come in many different colors!

A Public Meeting at Newfane Townhall on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 6 PM, will hosted by the EPA to discuss the Eighteen Mile Creek cleanup plan. For more information please go to the Town Notifications page under Latest Public Town Announcements at townofnewfane.com.

Check out these awesome events coming up in August at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge !
Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

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It's Fair Time! There is a New York State County Fair Passport for anyone that is interested in visiting some or all 50 of the County Fairs around the state!

Pick-Up your Free NYS County Fair Passport at the Niagara Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County or other various locations. I saw one, they are pretty cool!

Here is a list of the County Fairs in the area:
Chautauqua County Fair - July 16-21
Livingston County Fair - July 17-20
Genesee County Fair - July 20-27
Orleans County Fair - July 22-27
Ontario County Fair - July 23-27
Cattaraugus County Fair - July 27- August 3
Niagara County Fair - July 31- August 4
Monroe County Fair - August 5-7
Erie County Fair - August 7-18
Wyoming County Fair - August 10-17

Head out and have some Fun!!

*Please Share*

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From NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets:

Fair season is officially in full swing, are you a frequent fairgoer? Now is your chance to pick up an Official Passport! 🎡🎆
Use your New York State County Fairs Passport to get unique stamps at each of the 50+ county and local fairs across the state. See how many you can attend! You get the Passport and a lanyard to collect commemorative buttons at each location and enter to win prizes – for free. Fairgoers of all ages are eligible.
Passports will be available at various locations, including Taste NY Markets, designated Cornell Cooperative Extension offices and the New York State Fairgrounds. Ready to pick up your passport?
Click here to find the nearest location! https://findyourfair.com/fairs/
Want to learn more about the Passport Program? Visit the official site here: https://findyourfair.com/passport/

Check out the farmer's markets and many roadside stands not on the map!

Find some locally grown, farm-fresh produce at a Niagara County Farmers Market this summer! Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way to maintain a nutritious and balanced diet while supporting farming communities local to Niagara County. Confirm locations and hours before visiting.

Pollinators are always a popular topic, check out how far the different pollinators fly for food!
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I know there many pond owners have tons of maintenance questions and this looks like the perfect workshop to answer those questions!

Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District Helping people help the land

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENT
July 13th 9am to Noon at 6560 Dysinger Rd. Lockport (enter off Old Beattie)

Niagara County has teamed up, once again, with the Town of Lockport to host a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event for residents.

Clean out your sheds, basements and garages of unwanted household materials and safely dispose at no cost!

Acceptable Items Include: Paint, Solvents, Chemicals, Auto fluids, Cleaners, Fluorescent Bulbs and Pesticides.

Unacceptable Materials: All Batteries, Tires, Ammunition, Waste Oil.
Fees for Propane Tanks, Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers

ADDRESS: 6560 Dysinger Rd. Lockport (enter off Old Beattie)

Click Here to Register: https://www.hazmanusa.com/event-registration/2024/07/13/niagara-county-hhw-lockport

https://www.rethinkyourwaste.com/

Niagara County Waste & Recycling Information for Niagara County residents regarding safe disposal of curbside waste, household hazardous waste collection events and more.

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It's Aphelion Day!
What is Aphelion Day? It is when the Earth🌍is furthest from the Sun ☀!
Today at 1:06am the Earth🌍 was the furthest it will be from the Sun ☀ for the year.