Pollinators
Children learn about the process and importance of pollination, including parts of flowers and various species responsible for pollination. (K-3)

Project Soil 1
Students will learn about soil textures, different types of erosion and why soil is important to everyone.
(1-3)

What is a Watershed?
The Enviroscape© is a watershed model that can be used to demonstrate all sorts of ecological processes and allow students to investigate the causes of point and non-point source pollution. Can also be used to look at the function of wetlands.
(3-adult)

Project Soil 2
Students will get hand son experience with soil texturing (MESSY!). Students will also learn different uses for soil and its importance to them. (4-6)

The Incredible Journey (Levels 1 and 2)
Students will simulate the movement of water within the water cycle by playing a fun game! (4-8)

Edible Soils
Children learn about the most valuable natural resource and enjoy eating a little dirt. (K-8)

Sum of the Parts
Students demonstrate how everyone contributes to the pollution of a river as it flows through a watershed and recognize that everyone’s contribution can be reduced. (3-8)

Wacky Waterdrops
Students will simulate the movement of water within the water cycle by playing a fun game! (1-3)

8-4-1, One for All
This activity allows students to understand the various pressures put on a water supply and how we all must work together to preserve and protect our water. (6-adult)

Vermicomposting 1
This program allows kids to get up close and personal with some very important ecological workhorses-Red Wiggler Worms! Kids learn the importance of worms in the soil and a little about worm anatomy. (K-6)

Investigating Soil
An inquiry into what makes up our soil and why it is one of our most valuable resources. Students will get hands on experience with different soil types and what is in the soil. This program is best done in Spring or Fall and outside if possible. (K-3)

Vermicomposting 2
This program allows high school students the opportunity to investigate a composting food web. Requires a science lab with good quality microscopes.

The Living Soil
Students learn that the soil ecosystem plays a very important part of life above ground and how healthy soils support healthy environments. (3-6)

Schoolyard Safari
Students learn the components of a habitat and what kinds of critters could make their homes at their school. (K-3) Spring and Fall.

Soil Trek
Students do several hands-on activities outside. Some of the activities include: pH testing, soil temperature and percolation test.
(4-High School) Spring and Fall.

Remember! All programs are free, but the expenses are supported by our Affiliate Membership dues. Have you considered purchasing an affiliate membership for your class?

Our Education Coordinator is available to speak at your group meetings. She currently has presentations available on the following topics:

• Rain Gardens
• Pollinators and Native Plants
• Vermicomposting

If you would like a presentation on any other type of environmental or agricultural issue, please contact our office. We are more than happy to develop something for you. Also, many of our classroom activities work very well for adults. (And they’re fun!) If you are looking for help with a meeting, just give us a call or an e-mail.

Though it isn’t a new project, the Soil and Water Conservation Project hasn’t been offered in LaPorte County for several years. We are excited to be the project superintendents for this project and hope to see lots of entries at next summer’s LaPorte County Fair!

The project offers many activities from performing a worm census to interviewing conservation professionals -- and everything in between! If you are interested in more information about this project, or would like someone to come talk to your club about it, please contact Nicole Messacar at the SWCD Office. Our number is 219-362-6633, ext. 3 or by e-mail at Nicole.messacar@in.nacdnet.net. You can also contact the Purdue Cooperative Extension Office at 219-324-9407.

LaPorte County SWCD Scholarship

The LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District has created this scholarship to recognize an outstanding high school or college student who plans to pursue a career in environmental or agricultural related studies. One $500 scholarship will be given to a LaPorte County resident that is a high school senior or attending an accredited university during the 2008-2009 school year.  The award must be used for 2009-2010 college enrollment.

This year’s scholarship award recipient is Edward Rushnok. Mr. Rushnok graduated from LaCrosse High School and will be attending Montana State University to study geology. Ed has been involved with the Indiana Envirothon team and has assisted the District with their annual Tree Sale for the past 4 years. We appreciate his service and wish him the best of luck!

Look for new scholarship applications in the spring!

The LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) encourages the development and utilization of outdoor conservation education. Funding is provided for environmental outdoor labs or conservation projects for schools, scouts or other clubs. This is an exciting opportunity to bring conservation, environmental, and agricultural skills to life.

The 2009 Mini-Grant Award was awarded to Lisa Smiertelny of Rolling Prairie Elementary School. Her program “Worms Eat Lunch, Too!” will allow students to learn about vermicomposting, while using the valuable compost in their outdoor gardens. The program generated such excitement around the school, that they have also been awarded a larger grant to do a school-wide composting program!

The Indiana Envirothon is a competitive learning event for high school aged students. It is open not only to school groups but scouting groups, FFA’s, Green Teams, 4-H groups,  home-schoolers, and more.  Envirothon tests students’ knowledge on a variety of topics including soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics and current environmental issues.

Envirothon raises environmental awareness and prepares tomorrow’s leaders to deal with the consequences of human activity on our environment.

At the national level, students compete for over $100,000 in scholarships. Please visit www.envirothon.org for additional information about the national competition.