Resources & Links
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Ag Days - St. Joseph County Ag Days - presented by Ag Team and SJ Co. Fairboard
Agricultural Marketing Service - National Organic Program is ensuring the integrity of USDA organic products in the U.S. and throughout the world.
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Blue Thumb - Planting for Clean Water - includes information on Raingardens, native plant gardens & shoreline stabilization.
Beginner Farmer Education - An in-depth Beginner Farmer curriculum for the small sustainable farm model.
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Cardno Native Plant Nursery (now Stantec) - Native plant nursery located in Northern Indiana. Call 574-586-2412 to place an order. Minimum of $100/order
Clear Choices Clean Water | Indiana - Increases awareness about choices we make and the impact they have on our streams and lakes.
Compost & Mulch - City of South Bend - Offers mulch & compost, see their site for more details
Composting Guidebook - St. Joseph County SWCD
Composting at Home - Environmental Protection Agency
Conservation International - An organization working to ensure a healthy, productive planet for everyone. Because people need nature to thrive.
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Ducks Unlimited - An organization that is dedicated to preserving habitat for waterfowl conservation. "Filling the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow & forever."
Dormant Seeding - Links to articles and job sheets that we have compiled.
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Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Kids - Thirsty for knowledge? This site can help kids learn about water, water conservation and even play games! There is also links for teachers.
Eureka! Recycling - An organization with information and resources on recycling and zero waste education.
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Facebook - Follow us on our social media page! We post and share several items that cover topics in conservation.
Flood Map Service Center - Hosted by FEMA
Friends of the St. Joe River Association, Inc. (FotSJR) - An outreach and education resource "helping Conservation Districts and other partners in Indiana and Michigan with watershed education, planning and implementation projects within the St. Joseph River Basin."
2015 Forestry Field Day Contact Information
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Hensler Nursery, Inc. - Local nursery in North-central Indiana, located just off of U.S. 30. Call 574-867-4192 for more information.
Hoosier Heartland RC&D - An Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) organization with resources for "helping Central Indiana's people protect and develop their economic, natural, and social resources".
Hoosier Riverwatch - A state-wide, volunteer program of the Indiana Department of Enivornmental Management (IDEM), Office of Water Quality, Watershed Assessment and Planning Branch, that monitors water quality in rivers and streams.
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Indiana Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD)
Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI) - A program of the Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) that has information on soil health events, hubs & practices.
Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) - A partnership comprised of 8 Indiana agencies and organizaitons that work together to provide technical, financial and educational assistance needed to implement economically and environmentally compatible land and water stewardship decisions, practices and technologies.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) - A state agency that has information on Indiana parks, licenses & permits for hunting & fishing, etc.
District Forester: Ben Wilson
Phone: 219-843-4827
Email: bewilson1@dnr.IN.gov
IDNR Wildlife Biologist
North Urban Biologist (NUB) Jessica Merkling
Phone: 260-244-6805
Email: jmerkling@dnr.IN.gov
Indiana Geological Survey - Indiana Historical Aerial Photo Index (IHAPI)
Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) [formerly Indiana Native Plant And Wildflower Society (INPAWS)] - A volunteer-led, statewide organization working "to promote the appreciation, preservation, scientific study, and use of plants native to Indiana."
Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA)- Division of Soil Conservation
Indiana Wildlife Federation - A nonprofit, grass-roots affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation aimed at "promoting the conservation, sound management, and sustainable use of Indiana’s wildlife and wildlife habitat through education, advocacy, and action."
International Society of Arboriculture – Trees Are Good - A resource with information about the importance of trees, educational acitivites, and an arborist database.
Izaak Walton League - One of the oldest nationwide organizations that aims "to conserve, restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife."
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Michiana Beekeepers Association. A beekeeping group that is "creating good and healthy beekeeping throughout Michiana."
Michiana Stormwater Partnership - An educational group represented by local entities in the Michiana Area. Their mission is "to educate our Community on the importance of good environmental stewardship of all of our rivers and streams and provide the community with information, resources, and opportunities to help them develop or enhance their own efforts for the common good."
Midwest Cover Crops Council - Cover Crop Decision Tool to help develop cover crop plans for your specific needs.
Monarch Watch - Education, conservation, & research for the Monarch Butterfly.
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National Wild Turkey Federation - An organization "dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage."
National Invasive Species Council - U.S. Department of the Interior
The Nature Conservancy - A global environmentla group conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends.
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Organic Resource Facility (City of South Bend) - 4340 Trade Dr, South Bend, IN 46628 - 574-287-6841
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Pheasants Forever - An organization that "is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs."
Pinterest - Check out our boards for some conservation inspiration!
Plant Native - A listing of trees, shrubs, flowers & ferns native to Indiana and Ohio.
Purdue Extension of St Joseph County - Education of Indiana citizens through the application of land grant university research & knowledge base.
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Quail Forever - Adivision of Pheasant's Forever that is dedicated to the conservation of "quail, pheasants and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs."
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Recycling Centers -
ACME Refining - 1420 S Walnut St., South Bend, IN 46619 (574) 287-3331
Rule 5/Rule 13 for Storm Water and Wetlands
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Soil Scientists - A list of Certified Soil Scientists who are registered to perform soil tests in St. Joseph County. [updated April 2022]
South Bend Medical Foundation Laboratory - Performs water testing in tap, river and swimming pool waters.
St. Joseph County Indiana - Website has links for departments like the drainage board, parks & rec, etc.
St. Joseph Valley Master Gardeners - An organization of gardeners dedicated to educating people in gardening practices.
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Tree Tubes & Weed Mats - Non Typical Food Plots LLC
Twitter - Follow us on our social media page! We post and share several items that cover topics in conservation.
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Unity Gardens - "A collaborative network of community gardens originated to increase the availability, awareness, and accessibility of healthy, locally grown food."
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Information you need for NRCS/USDA programs, soils, the web soil survey, plants & animals including invasive species, pollinators, etc. & much more.
District Conservationist: Deb Knepp
Phone: 574-936-2024 ext. 4
Email: Deb.Knepp@usda.gov
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Water Contamination - Information about potential contaminants that could be in water, causes, and health implications.
Water Testing - Find where you can have your water tested in Indiana. (Prepared by Jane Frankenberger, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.)
Water Testing - Indiana Certified Microbiology Drinking Water Laboratories. (Prepared by Indiana Health Department.)
Water Testing - Enviro Test Kits - 635 Green Road, Madison, IN 47250
Phone: 1-888-932-6699
Email: etk@envirotestkits.com
Web Soil Survey - Provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
Wildlife Rehabilitators - List developed by InDNR of rehabilitators that are permitted in Indiana as of March 2016.
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Xerces Society - "An international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats."
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