Teacher’s Conservation Corner

John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District

Grant Money for Educational Volume 10, Issue 1 Activities September 2016 Grants are fantastic ways to get tion and restoration activities. The money for projects to enhance stu- deadline for this grant is October 1. In This Edition dent learning. There are several More information can be found groups which offer grants and have here. deadlines approaching.  Grant Money for The Chesapeake Bay Trust offers Educational Activities The Virginia Department of Game many different grants covering out- and Inland Fisheries and the Wildlife reach, restoration, and education. Foundation of Virginia have part- Grants of up to $5,000 are available  2016-17 Soil Lessons nered together to offer $45,000 in to conduct meaningful outdoor grants for youth outdoor activities learning experiences for students. (including education programs). The next grant cycle will close on  Envirothon Grant Proposals are due on Septem- January 13, 2017. More infor- ber 1. Contact the District for more mation can be found here. information about applying for this grant. Additionally, if you have not partici- pated in Trout in the Classroom be- Project Learning Tree offers grants fore, it is a program in which stu- of up to $1,000 for environmental dents grow brook trout from eggs service-learning projects that link throughout the year. The fish are classroom learning to the real then released into streams in the world. Applicants must have spring to restore the native trout attended a Project Learning Tree population. Friends of the Rappa- John Marshall SWCD training either online or in person hannock has a couple of tanks and 98 Alexandria Pike and applications are due on Sep- supplies available to schools in the Suite 31 tember 30. More information and Rappahannock Watershed. Warrenton, VA 20186 an application can be found here. www.johnmarshallswcd.com For more information on any of The Chesapeake Bay Restoration these opportunities or if you are in Michael Trop Fund is funded by the sale of Chesa- need of assistance writing a grant, Conservation Education Specialist peake Bay License Plates. This year, please contact the District at 540- [email protected] they have nearly $300,000 available 347-3120 x3. for Chesapeake Bay-related educa- 540-347-3120 x 3

Teacher’s Conservation Corner 1 Soil Tubes Offered Again to 3rd Graders

The John Marshall Soil & to have all 11 schools participate in this opportunity. Water Conservation District is once again offering soil The Soil Tubes lesson for third grade students takes lessons to students of all about 30 minutes per class. Each student gets to make ages. The main program a soil tube featuring topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock. The (Soil Tubes) is tailored for District supplies all the necessary materials for the les- third grade students (SOL: son. Programs for older students involve a field compo- 3.1, 3.7). The District also nent (soil sampling, pH measurement, etc.) and can be does soil programs for mid- adapted to the length of the class period. dle and high school classes (agriculture, ecology, envi- The District also has equipment that teachers can bor- ronmental science, etc.) row to enhance their lessons. These include soil sieves which go more in depth (for comparing particle sizes), moisture meters, and soil about soil processes. pH meters.

In the past school year, the If you would like to schedule a lesson or borrow any District conducted the soil equipment, please contact Michael Trop at the John tube program at seven ele- An example of a Soil Tube Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District by phone mentary schools in the coun- which students get to at: 540-347-3120 x3 or email ty, reaching over 500 stu- make and take home. [email protected]. dents. Our goal this year is Envirothon

Envirothon is a team based natural resources competi- natural resource professionals. tion for high school students. Students who participate learn stewardship and management concepts and work Area competitions are held in April with the State con- to solve real world environmental problems. Each test held in May. Dominion Power sponsors Envirothon team consists of five students. on the local and state level and the contests are orga- nized by Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Throughout the year, students gain skills and knowledge in Soils, Aquatics, Wildlife, Forestry, and a It has been many years since there was a team repre- current environmental issue. This year’s current envi- senting Fauquier County and we would like to have stu- ronmental issue will be Agricultural Soil & Water Con- dents be involved in this great learning and resume- servation Stewardship. Previous topics have included building opportunity. invasive species, urban forestry, and estuaries. At the competition, students take tests in all five subject areas If you are interested in forming a team or know of stu- and also give an oral presentation formulating a strate- dents who would be willing to participate on a team, gy to address the current environmental issue. please contact the District. For more details on the En- virothon program, you can check out the Envirothon The program is field-oriented, community based, and website at: gives students an opportunity to work and connect with http://www.vaswcd.org/promotion/envirothon-2012.

Teacher’s Conservation Corner 2