Traditionally, ACCD holds our annual meeting in March, but we have some exciting changes happening at the Conservation District right now. We have decided to postpone the annual meeting until the changes are finalized and we can announce our big news. We are hoping to celebrate the big news and host our annual meeting later this spring or early summer. Stay tuned for more details in the next edition of The Dirt.

This program year we are excited to have 9 fish tanks up and running in Asotin County schools! Each tank will receive 200 rainbow trout eggs. Through this program, students can hatch salmon eggs at school, learn about salmon lifecycle, habitat and learn how to test water quality. The hands-on experience of raising fish helps students realize that salmon are one of the many benefits of our Eastern Washington rivers. Classroom lessons on salmon anatomy and lifecycle compliment science and math, while historic and cultural lessons about salmon relate to Washington state history, social studies and geography. Once the trout reach parr stage in June, they are released into the local watershed.

The district will be able to do “Firewise” type home assessments this fall and winter. Research around home destruction vs. home survival in wildfires point to embers and small flames as the main way that most homes ignite in wildfires. There are procedures for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire reaching the home or any attachments. ACCD will plan to do a minimum of 10 homes (forested and rangeland/rural urban interface). Contact us if you’d like a free home assessment!

ACCD was awarded a grant by the Department of Ecology that will start January 1, 2022. The funding will target projects that protect and enhance riparian conditions and water quality. If you are interested in more information or implementing a project, contact us at 509-552-8117 or by email at [email protected].