February Newsletter - Weston County Natural Resource District

Contact us...
Weston County Natural Resource District
1225 Washington Blvd. Suite 3
Newcastle, WY 82701
Weston County Natural Resource
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
Rate
Newcastle, WY
Permit No. 52
District Newsletter
Phone: 307-746-3264
E-mail: Lacey.Gurien@wy.usda.gov
F E B R U A R Y
The mission of the Weston County Natural
Resource District is to provide leadership in
conserving the natural resources in Weston
County by providing information, education
and technical assistance to meet the needs of
our users.
Meetings are held the second Wednesday of
every month at 3:00 p.m. at the USDA Service
Center. Members of the public are welcome to
attend.
It is the policy of the Weston County Natural Resource District to uphold a program that ensures
high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality
Gene NormanTreasurer
Emily HartingerSupervisor
Alicia ReddingSupervisor
District Staff
UPCOMMING EVENTS
February
February 11th -WCNRD Board Meeting @ 3 pm USDA Service Center
February 12th - Rural Cost Share Program Applications available at the District office.
February 16th - Presidents Day –Office closed
February 27th - CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) applications due at NRCS office.
*call Paul Eitel or stop by the office for more information
March
March 11th -WCNRD Board Meeting @ 3pm, USDA Service Center
Going Native!
District Supervisors
Jerry VarnerVice-Chairman
Lacey Gurien
Coordinator
Jonathan Sloan
NWTF-Forester
District Hours
Monday-Friday
7a.m. – 3:30p.m.
USDA-NRCS Staff
Paul Eitel
Amber Fowlkes
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By Lacey Gurien
When you embark on your gardening journey this spring you
are going to want the most bang for your buck, right? What
will be the most cost effective, curb appealing plant choices
that will draw in a variety of pollinator species for your viewing pleasure? Native plants can be an overworked gardeners best friend. They will
thrive, without much care and will survive the harsh winters and dry summers. These
plants have spent years perfecting their ability to live in their growing conditions and
have adapted ways to ward off disease and pests and are ready for you to utilize their
hard work.
Natural landscaping can be an elegant backdrop for your yard while contributing to the overall quality of the area and providing much needed wildlife habitat for
the native fauna (butterflies and birds). These plants provide the best overall food
source for wildlife and require less watering, fertilizer, and less effort in controlling
pests. Overall, this results in a more cost effective way to maintain a beautiful garden.
While your neighbors are green with envy, you have more time
to spend enjoying natures beauty and experiencing the gift these
plants have to offer. Planting perennial species will save the amount of
work you have to do annually and can be enjoyed for years to come. I
encourage you to contact your local nurseries to plan for a more water
conscious native garden this year, giving your pocketbook and back a
break!
Wyoming Natives
March 20th - Second Batching for EQIP applications due at NRCS office.
April
April 6th -Seedling Tree Orders Due to the District office by 3:30 p.m.
- Rural Cost Share Program Applications Due to the District office
April 8th - WCNRD Board Meeting @ 3pm, USDA Service Center
May
May 13th - Board Meeting @ 3pm, USDA Service Center
Columbine
Milkweed
Narrow-leaf Coneflower
Visit us on the web: www.westoncountynrd.org
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2015 Tree Program Begins!
It is time again for the annual tree seedling program, and the list is growing. We have made some changes
for this year and are offering some new species and larger 5 gallon potted trees. We will be offering our
usual species from Colorado State Nursery, a selection from Lincoln-Oakes Nursery in North Dakota, and
large potted trees from northern Utah. Below are descriptions and information on the new species being
offered. These trees will go fast, so fill out your order form, which was sent out earlier, and mail it in or
drop it off at the office. If you did not receive an order form you can pick one up at the District
office or the Upton Library.
Black Hills Spruce (Picea glauca var. densata) - A native to
South Dakota, this tree is large with dense foliage. A close
relative to the White Spruce, but better adapted to this
area. This conifer matures to a height of 30 to 60 feet tall
and 15 to 25 feet wide at the base. Grows well in moist
loam soils and slightly acidic soils. Great for nesting birds
and can be used in windbreaks for homesteads or fields.
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) - Native to eastern North
America. This deciduous tree matures at a height and
width of 40-100 feet. Fairly fast growing tree. This tree is
noted for its glossy green leaves with silvery underside
and silvery gray bark, which peels in long strips. This
maple has orange to red leaves in the fall. Do not plant
near sewer lines or sidewalks.
Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii)- Small tree or large
shrub reaching 4 to 15 ft in height. Slow growing, but
will tolerate coarse and medium soils. Tree branches are
also resistant to breakage under heavy snow.
Lilac ’Legacy’ Villosa (Syringa villosa ‘Legacy’) - A medium to large, dense, non-suckering upright form of lilac.
At maturity this lilac will reach up to 12 feet tall. This
shrub is native to China and Mongolia. Flowers are pink.
The Villosa form of lilac blooms 2 weeks later than the
common lilac.
Hardy Apricot (Apricot sp.) - a small, round-headed, low
branched tree which may reach a height and width of 1216 feet on favorable sites. This species is native to Manchuria, Siberia and Korea. White and pink flowers appear
in May followed by small edible fruit which ripens in July
and August.
Information and Photos of Trees
For more information about the trees offered this
year please visit the following websites:
 www.lincolnoaks.com
 http://csfs.colostate.edu/pdfs/08byrgdwww.pdf
 Or stop by the District office
Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii)- A popular old fashioned deciduous flowering shrub. Shrub typically matures at a height of roughly 6 feet. Can tolerate some
drought in favorable sites. Prefers well drained soils. In
the spring this shrub has fragrant white flowers.
Snowball (Viburnum) - A large rounded deciduous flowering shrub with double white blooms. Snowball like
clusters of flowers emerge in the spring and turn to a pale
pink as they fade. These plants work well as a garden
screen.
Narrowleaf Cottonwood (Populus angustifolia ) A large shade tree native to the high plains and higher
elevations. Medium to fast growth rate depending on
growing period. It can reach 50 feet in a 20 year period.
Crown spread is around 30'. Vibrant yellow foliage in the
fall season. Best suited for open park areas. If planted
along streets, a wide landscape strip or tree-lawn is need-
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Meet the New WCNRD Coordinator
Lacey Gurien
Born and Raised in the Natural State, I grew up with a deep
appreciation for the outdoors as my second teacher. After
realizing that I wanted to delve deeper in the natural world
it would only be fitting that I chose to pursue a career where
I could share my passion for the outdoors. I obtained my
bachelor’s degree at Arkansas Tech University in Fisheries
and Wildlife Science in 2011 where I focused on fisheries
and water resources. In 2012, I accepted a position with
Arkansas State Parks as the Aquarist for Lake Dardanelle
State Park where I stayed for two years before moving to
Newcastle. During my stay with the
state park I really honed in on natural resource education for a variety of ages. I developed and shared
programming with the local schools and groups in order to ignite a
flame. I have an enthusiastic nature and contagious love for all that is
wild. I am constantly learning new things, hiking, fishing, crafting, and
exploring new places with my four-legged sidekick. I look forward to
meeting with the locals and learning about the native flora and fauna
of the area. Feel free to call or drop by the District office to visit!
Bluebird houses are available for sale through the District Office.
The houses are built by the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp and come
fully assembled. The bluebird houses are priced at $15each.
To purchase a bluebird house, please contact the District Office. Bluebirds
are returning to our area and houses should be installed soon to achieve the
best chance of occupancy.
Helpful Advice: To attract Bluebirds it is best to hang houses 4-6 feet off the ground facing
East. To prevent crowding a minimum of 300 feet between each house is ideal. To learn
about how to attract other species to your area visit:
nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses
Weston County Natural
Resource District is on
Facebook!
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Black Hills Snow
Course Readings
February 1, 2015
Elevation
(feet)
Site Name
Bearlodge
Divide
4680’
Blind Park
6870’
Cole Canyon
5870’
Ditch Creek
6880’
Little Bear Run
6240’
Mallo
6420’
Mount Tom
North Rapid
Creek
5560’
Reuter Canyon
6280’
Upper
Spearfish
5
4
6250’
6500’
Current
Snow
Depth
(inches)
Current
SWE
(inches)
30 Year
Average
SWE
(inches)
4.5”
1.0”
1.8
20.0
4.7”
5.2
9.0”
2.9”
4.5
10.7”
2.7”
13.4”
2.8”
2.6
25.2”
5.2”
5.2
13.2”
2.8”
3.2
20.0”
5.2”
5.0
17.9”
5.1”
6.5
19.0
6.1”
2.8
4.4
Last
Year
SWE
(inches)
2.0”
6.5”
4.2”
3.0”
Current
% of 30
Year Average
SWE
56
90
64
96
3.0”
108
7.0”
100
3.5”
88
6.3”
104
8.6”
78
8.5”
139
Fascinating Snow Facts
 World’s Largest Snowflake: The world’s largest snowflake was reported to be 15 inches across and 8
inches thick. The Guinness Book of World Records states that this giant snowflake was found at Fort
Keogh, Montana on January 28, 1887.
 Snow is Not White: Snow is actually clear and colorless . "“The complex structure of snow crystals
results in countless tiny surfaces from which visible light is efficiently reflected. What little sunlight is
absorbed by snow is absorbed uniformly over the wavelengths of visible light thus giving snow its white
appearance.” – National Snow and Ice Data Center
 Earth’s Fresh Water is Frozen: Ten inches of snow melts down to only 1 inch of water.
 What is a Blizzard?: A blizzard occurs when you can’t see for 1/4 mile. The winds are always 35
miles an hour or more. The storm must last at least 3 hours to be classed as a blizzard. If any of these
conditions are less, it is only a snowstorm.
Hardening Off Your Seedlings
Hardening your off your seedlings is just another way to increase
the chances of survival for your crops. Whether it be flowers or
vegetables, you are helping the seedlings gradually acclimate to a
brighter light and colder temperatures of the outside world. This process slows plant growth, allowing the plant to
store more food internally and strengthen the outer leaf layers.
To harden off your transplants:
1) Start a week or two before you plan on setting your transplants in the garden. Stop fertilizing and reduce the
amount of water the plant receives. Water them just enough so that they do not wilt.
2) Take plants out for short 30 minute periods during the warmest part of the day and place in light shade. Make
sure that they are protected from harsh winds, and construct a windbreak if necessary.
3) Gradually increase the amount of time the plant spends outside and the light intensity they are exposed to.
There is such a thing as “ to much of a good thing” and it is possible to over harden your seedlings. This in some
varieties can cause the plant to bolt, prematurely producing seed or flower.
Successfully Sowing Spring Seeds
Even though it has not felt like winter yet, spring is just around the corner.
That means it’s time to start planning your garden. A great way to scratch
your gardening itch is to start ordering, organizing, and planning your
seed sowing. For those of you who typically purchase transplants, growing
from seed is easier and cheaper than you think. It also will open up your
garden to a whole new world of varieties.
Follow the step by step directions below and grow your own transplants from seed like a pro.
1. Fill a flat or shallow dish (with drain holes) with seed-starting medium (soil) then level the medium
flat with a straight edge (like a ruler)
2. Using your straight edge press down shallow rows roughly 1/4 inch inVegetable Seed
to the soil, about 2 inches apart.
Starter Mix
3. Sprinkle seeds into the depression about 1/2 inch apart (don’t worry if
2
parts
Screened Compost
they are too close you can thin them later)
2
parts
Peat Moss
4. Make sure that you label your rows at this point so you will know what
2 parts Pearlite/ Vermiculite
the seedlings are.
5. Cover seeds with the same soil medium (unless the package said not to) 1/2 part Sand
6. Water the flat with a misting of water (not to much pressure)
7. Cover with plastic dome or sheet to maintain humidity
8. Watch daily and remove plastic when seeds emerge
9. Typically at this point seedling prefer about 65ºF
10. When the second set of leaves have emerged, seedlings are ready to transplant into cell packets, or
larger garden area.
11. Remember when you go to transplant seedlings from your warm house or greenhouse to the outdoors
to harden them off so that you don’t loose them to shock. HAPPY GROWING!!!