The Endless Mountains Resource Conservation and Development Council will lead a diverse group of stakeholders in the sound conservation and stewardship of the region’s natural resources. The Council will promote the rural quality of life and its economic stability through organizational efforts, education of communities, technical expertise and sponsorship of projects.-NEWS RELEASE-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Diane White
Program Assistant
Endless Mountains RC&D Council
Phone No. 570-265-5288 ext.5
Endless Mountains Resource Conservation and Development (EMRC&D) Council is announcing Weed Control/Wildlife Habitat one-on-one technical assistance program for landowners in the Endless Mountains region: Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming Counties. The technical assistance program is designed to increase a landowner’s ability to identify and control noxious and invasive weeds on the land while enhancing wildlife habitat.
Through the Weed Control/Wildlife Habitat Management program, EMRC&D Council and its partners will be working with landowners by providing information and resources on how to identify and manage noxious and invasive weeds on their property, while emphasizing the beneficial plants that improve wildlife habitat. Controlling noxious weeds is important to reduce their spreading to other places; however, some landowners have difficulty recognizing these weeds in their early and middle stages of growth prior to the plants becoming fully established and difficult to control. This unique project will offer an opportunity for landowners to ask questions, seek advice and gain a better understanding of why and how to control noxious and invasive weeds on their property.
While noxious weed control is important in and of itself, it is a critical component for attaining the ultimate goal of creating and maintaining high quality wildlife habitat for game and non- game species. This project is not only focusing on weed control, but will also address how beneficial plants diversify the habitat to benefit wildlife. Since many beneficial forbs and grasses for wildlife may be mistaken for noxious or invasive plants, it is equally important to help landowners identify the desirable plant species.
The Weed Control/Wildlife Habitat Landowner Technical Assistance Program applications should be received by Endless Mountains RC&D by close of business on May 21, 2010. Applications can be obtained from Endless Mountains RC&D Council office or can be downloaded at www.endlessmountainsrcd.org. All technical assistance applications and supporting information should be mailed to: Endless Mountains RC&D Council, WCWH Program, RR5 Box 5030-D, Towanda, PA 18848 or faxed to Diane White at 570-265-7435.
Technical assistance and funding for this project is being provided by the USDA Farm Service Agency and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Other key partners in the project include Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Penn State Cooperative Extension, PA Game Commission, PA Department of Environmental Protection, and PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
EMRC&D Council and USDA are equal opportunity providers and employers.
EMRC&D Council and United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202- 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).
For more information contact:
Diane White
Program Assistant
Endless Mountains RC&D Council
Phone No. 570-265-5288 ext.5
