Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District

Conservation Chronicle

March 3, 2012 - 9am to 12pm (or sold out)It’s that time of year again to start pre-ordering tree seedlings for purchase at the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District’s 41st Annual Tree Seedling Sale. While winter is a prime time to plant trees, many folks just aren’t in that “springtime” yard and garden mode in frosty January. To accommodate, this year,

the tree sale will be held the first weekend in March. The milder, sunny days tend spark an interest in planting while still allowing a few weeks before the end of the tree planting season for our region. As an added bonus, folks who pre-order seedlings are not only guaranteed selection, but will also receive a 10% discount off the purchase price of their pre-ordered seedlings (discount applies to pre-orders only). Once again, 60 and 80 Gallon Rain Barrels will be available for purchase during the sale; these are a great way to ensure ample water to supply your growing trees. Seedlings are sold on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. The deadline to pre-order seedlings is Wednesday, November 30th; pre-payment is required at the time of order. Prices range from $1 to $5.

Upcoming Events

Fall 2011

Going Green And We Need Your Help!In keeping with our mission to protect and conserve natural resources, the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District has decided to save trees and transition to a fully electronic newsletter system. Beginning spring of 2012, our newsletter will be sent via email only and will also be available online in a format suitable for at-home printing. So that we may continue to keep you up to date on District programs, events including our Tree Seedling Sale, please provide us with your email address by sending an email to savetherain@yahoo.com subject “newsletter subscription” or call our office at 704-336-2455. We thank you for your understanding, if you have any questions or concerns; please feel free to give us a call. Just a reminder, this will be our last newsletter available printed and sent via postal mail.

Envirothon Team Sign-up Students test knowledge

in five resource areasContact MSWCD for Details at

704-336-2455 or visit www.NCEnvirothon.org

Urban Cost Share ProgramDo you have an issue with

runoff or erosion?UCSP Funds are still available,

but time is limited!www.MecklenburgConservation.com

Know Your FarmsCharlotte Area Farm TourSeptember 17 and 18, 2011 Sat. and Sun. 12:30p to 5:30p

www.knowyourfarms.com

CPCC Fall Plant SaleSeptember 16 and 17 2011Fri. 12p to 6p & Sat. 9a to 12p

CPCC Cato Campuswww1.cpcc.edu/horticulture

UNCC Fall Plant SaleOctober 7 and 8, 2011

Fri. and Sat. 9a to 3pMcMillan Greenhouse

http://gardens.uncc.eduCertificate in Native Plant

Studies info available too!

Wing Haven Plant SaleOctober 5-8, 2011

10a to 4p - Programs Daily248 Ridgewood Avenue

Charlotte, NC 28209www.winghavengardens.com

41st Annual Tree Seedling Sale

MSWCD Annual Tree Seedling Sale

2012 Species List

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$2 ea Callicarpa americana Beautyberry P P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Asimina triloba Pawpaw P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Lindera benzion Spicebush P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Calycanthus floridus Sweetshrub P P P P P P

$2 ea Morella cerifera Wax Myrtle P P P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood P P P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Cercis canadensis Easterm Redbud P P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Betula nigra River Birch P P P P P P P

$2 ea Prunus americana Wild Plum P P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash P P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Diospyros virginiana Persimmon P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Acer Rubrum Red Maple P P P P P P P P P

$2 ea Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Poplar P P P P P P

$1 ea Juniperus virginiana Eastern Red Cedar P P P P P P P P

10/$5 Pinus taeda Loblolly Pine P P P P P P P

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green ash loblolly Pine Tulip PoplarRed maplePersimmon

Photos Courtesy of USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database and http://bioimages.vanderbilt.edu/

Tree Seedling and Rain Barrel Order Form

Last Name __________________________ First Name ____________________

Address _________________________________________________________

City _____________________________ State __________ Zip _____________

Phone ________________ E-mail ____________________________________

Quantity Seedling Price Cost Quantity Seedling Price Cost

Beautyberry $1.80 ea Wild Plum $1.80 ea

Pawpaw $1.80 ea green ash $1.80 ea

spicebush $1.80 ea Persimmon $1.80 ea

sweetshrub $1.80 ea Red maple $1.80 ea

Wax myrtle $1.80 ea Tulip Poplar $1.80 ea

Dogwood $1.80 ea e. Red Cedar $0.90 ea

Redbud $1.80 ea loblolly Pine 10/$4.50

River Birch $1.80 ea TOTAL

*Prices listed reflect 10% pre-order discount - Discount expires November 30, 2011

Quantity Rain Barrel Price Quantity Rain Barrel Price

60 gallon $95.00 ea 80 gallon $110.00 ea

Rain Barrels are paid for at the time of pick-up - March 3, 2012 9a-12pDeadline to reserve a rain barrel is February 17, 2012

Tree Seedling Sale Policies

seedling pre-orders will be accepted until • November 30, 2011Payment in full is due at time of order •Cash or Check only - Please make checks payable to msWCD•Receipts will be mailed upon receipt of order and payment•Trees will be available for pick-up • Friday, March 2 from 12-2p or Saturday, March 3 from 9a-11a at 700 North Tryon Street Charlotte NC msWCD is not responsible for orders not claimed during the sale - unclaimed orders •willbeconsideredadonationandsoldtothepubliconafirstcome,firstservedbasisNo ReFuNDs will be issued for orders not claimed during the sale•Reminders will be e-mailed prior to the sale (via postal mail if e-mail unavailable)•

Return Order Form (along with payment for seedlings) to:

mecklenburg soil and Water Conservation District (msWCD)700 North Tryon street

Charlotte, NC 28202704-336-2455

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VOlUME 6, ISSUE 2 PAGE 5

State and Federal Cost Share ProgramsCommunity Conservation Assistance The NC Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) is a statewide program designed help citizens to address urban/suburban non-point source pollution and erosion issues, much like our local Urban Cost Share Program. Available practices include: Cisterns, Rain Gardens, Backyard Wetlands, Riparian Buffers, Pet Waste Receptacles and more. CCAP is available county wide, however funding is limited. The state has allocated $3,725 to the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District for the 2012 fiscal year. Applications are ranked and reviewed for maximum water quality benefit. Approved applicants will receive technical assistance related to best management practices (BMPs) specific to your site, as well as reimbursement of 75% of allowable expenses. For more information please call 704-336-2455 or visit www.mecklenburgconservation.com.

Agriculture Cost Share Program The District is available to help farmers and other agricultural operations prevent water pollution. The state has allocated $26,313 to Mecklenburg this fiscal year; with an addition-al $6,603 earmarked for the Goose and Rocky River watersheds. Funds are available to assist with the cost of installing conservation prac-tices to protect water quality and agricultural

interests. For information call 704-336-2455.

USDA Federal Cost Share Programs The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical assistance focused on natural resource issues. Cost Share Programs available to approved applicants include: Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and more. For more information please call 704-336-2455.

Urban Cost Share ProgramIn an urban environment, folks are faced with issues related to storm water runoff from impervious surfaces and the associated effects of non-point source pollution. One of the most common issues is erosion of properties as well as creek banks. In addition to sediment, other non-point source pollutants such as

nutrients and chemicals are also washed in to our surface waters. Sediment impacts water quality as do things like fertilizers, pet waste, pesticides and vehicle fluids and fuels. The Urban Cost Share Program was developed to assist citizens with small-scale or “Backyard” sized issues, assisting with the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) designed to protect and improve water quality. Available practices include Rain Gardens, designed to act much like a natural wetland detaining runoff and filtering pollutants, Pet Waste Receptacles for neighborhood, businesses and parks - proper disposal of waste reduces not only excess nutrients but also reduces high concentrations of bacteria in our water, as well as Riparian Buffers to serve not only as a filter for pollutants but also a means of shading surface water to protect against thermal pollution (or overheating of streams). Additional practices include Nutrient Management, Grassed Waterways, Critical Area Stabilization and more. The Urban Cost Share Program is available to Mecklenburg citizens living in six approved watersheds: Irwin, Briar, Upper and lower little Sugar, McAlpine and McMullen. Funding is still available, but time is limited as grant funds expire at year end. If you are interested in the program please call 704-336-2455 or visit www.mecklenburgconservation.com.

MSWCD700 North Tryon StreetCharlotte, NC 28202Ph 704-336-2455 Fax 704-336-3846www.mecklenburgconservation.com

Reminder NoticesEnvirothon Team Sign-up is open now for middle and high school students (public, private, home schools, scout troops, etc are welcome with an advisor) - gather teams of five students (plus two alternates) to compete in the 2012 Southern Piedmont Envirothon in March - Top teams are eligible to move on to the NC Envirothon in April. Visit www.NCEnvirothon.org for information on the program or call 704-336-2455 to sign your team up to participate.

Urban Cost Share Program funds are still available, but time is run-ning out! If you are having (or suspect you may be having) issues with erosion or other non-point source pollutants - please contact us ASAP. Additional funds have been requested, but current grant funding expires December 31, 2011.

Please Send E-mail Addresses to savetherain@yahoo.com subject “Newsletter Subscription” or call 704-336-2455 to provide us with your current e-mail address. In an effort to conserve resources, the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District will be switching to a strictly digital format for our semi-annual newsletter. This will be the last edition available in printed form. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.