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Students get to net the aquatic insects they identify. |
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Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District provides many educational programs for youth and adults. Some of the programs we offer are: Agricultural/Environmental Day (Ag Day) is a program designed for students in Grades K thru 4, to give the students a hands on opportunity to learn about our natural resources and where our food and fiber comes from. This program is always the first Monday of Farmington Fair in September. Conservation Field Days/Mini Envirothon,(CFD) This program is held each year for students in grade 5+6. The program encourages students to learn about natural resources and conservation issues including forestry, aquatics, soil and wildlife and to help prepare them to take part in the Envirothon. Western Regional Envirothon is a competitive outdoor environmental program where teams from high schools across the state are tested on their knowledge of soils, wildlife, forestry, aquatics, and a current issue that is different each year. Regionals are held in May with the top three teams advancing to the State Competition. The first place team is sent on to compete at Nationals against other states, Canadian Provinces and Australia. FCSWCD hosts the Western Regional Envirothon every third year (rotating with Oxford SWCD and Androscoggin SWCD). Franklin County SWCD hosts and coordinates the Western Maine Regional Envirothon once every three years and the Western Maine Mock Envirothon once every three years, alternating with Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Mock Envirothon is a program that is held every year in April before the Regionals. This program is to help the students better prepare for the Regionals through hands on testing and rotations just like the Regionals. Franklin County SWCD hosts and coordinates the Western Maine Mock Envirothon once every three years, alternativing with Androscoggin and Oxford counties. The District provides advisory services to residents and municipalities on such matters as soil testing, recreational and farm fields, and erosion control measures at construction sites and on shore frontage. We also provide topographical maps, soils information, sand & gravel aquifer maps, flood insurance maps, aerial photos and much more. We are available for presentations to schools and civic groups by request. LakeSmart Awards Program - This is a program to learn how to beautify and increase the value of your waterfront property and protect the quality of your lake or pond for current and future generations. If the owner’s property meets or exceeds the criteria he/she will receive, a personalized award plaque, publicity in local newspaper or newsletter and signs for their LakeSmart property. Conservation Expo - FCSWCD initiated this program
back in 2002. The Expo is held every other year. Targeted participants are
contractors, road crews, town officials, code enforcement officers, lake assoc.
members, camp owners, loggers and the general public. Up to 50 various workshops
and seminars are held throughout the day, some of which offer re-certification
credits. The Expo is held the third week in April and the next Expo will be on
April 23, 2008. Workshops & Training Sessions - as available such as: forestry, GPS, compass & map reading, tree identification, small woodlot management, farm tours, nutrient management, gravel camp road maintenance hands-on training. |
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