Credit for 6 Professional Development Hours pre-approved by by EnviroCert International.  

Sediment is the world’s #1 pollutant.

Soil moved by erosion can be harmful to our drinking water resources, fish and wildlife, and it can impact our quality of life.   Erosion Control has changed dramatically over the years and new technologies are constantly in development.  Use this workshop to help you stay current on useful practices and make valuable connections.

“A little bit of dirt never hurt anybody…” but a little bit from one jobsite multiplied by the hundreds of jobsites in a watershed can add up quickly.  Soil erosion has the potential to affect how much treatment wastewater must receive. We all need to know our options for both controlling sediment and for designing and installing more effective long-term erosion control solutions.

These field days are a unique collaborative effort between the private and public sectors to share information and promote a better understanding of the latest tools available to all who are entrusted with protecting our precious soil and water resources.  

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Tuesday September 19:  
Westerly Education Center​ (23 Friendship St​) and Cimalore Field​ (99 Wilson St​), WESTERLY, RI 02891

Wed Sept 27th – cancelled.

Thursday September 28: 
Tolland County Agricultural Center | 24 Hyde Avenue (Route 30), VERNON, CT 06066

Fun in the Sun!  Earn Credits!  Make Connections!

SNEC Erosion and Sediment Control Field Days combine presentations and hands-on demonstrations. These days are training for professionals working in soils, erosion control, water quality, public works, engineering, roads, planning, resource protection, and consulting. Our goal is to provide information that is immediately useful to all who attend – you are encouraged to bring your site plans and questions!

Boxed lunch will be provided for the Field Days.

Certificate of Attendance will be provided to document six (6) hours of educational contact.

Field Days are hosted by SWCS SNEC, in partnership with EJ Prescott.

The SNEC Board is coordinating with conservation districts, state agencies and NRCS in our three member states on the programs for these events. We have some very interesting irons in the fire!  Some details are still being confirmed; check back for updates.

SWCS Conservation Community member Southern Rhode Island Conservation District (SRICD) is working hand-in-hand with the Town of Westerly and others on the Resilient Riverfront Renewal Main Street, Westerly project.  The Stormwater Masterplan will integrate a variety of green infrastructure (GI) features along the streets and on both Town and private properties that will reduce flooding, filter pollutants from stormwater, provide pollinator and bird habitat, improve air quality, and add beauty and walkability to the economic center of Westerly. 

SRICD and Cherenzia & Associates (engineer of the GI system at the Westerly Education Center) will offer design and history overview with a mock inspection tour of the green infrastructure BMP’s surrounding the Westerly Education Center.   

AGENDA | 19 September 2023 

The morning session will be held at Westerly Education Center.

8:00 a.m.  –  Registration, Check-In and Coffee 

8:30 a.m. –  Welcome & Opening Remarks | Andrew Gorman (SWCS Southern New England Chapter RI Representative / Beals & Thomas)

8:45 a.m. –  Coastal Protection Approaches:  Traditional Hard Structures and Nature Based Approaches | Jennifer O’Donnell (Fuss & O’Neill)

9:30 a.m. –  Introduction to Rhode Island Soils.  Influences on Soil Permeability and Hydrologic Soil Groups | Jeffrey Peterson (VHB)

10:15 a.m. –  Break and Networking

10:30 a.m. –  Stormwater Green Infrastructure Design at the Westerly Education Center with Mock Inspection Tour | Renee Stoops (Southern RI Conservation District) and Sergio Cherenzia (Cherenzia & Associates)

12:00 p.m. –  Boxed Lunch and Travel to Cimalore Sports Complex

12:45 p.m. –  Rotation through Field Stations  (scroll down for information)

3:45 p.m. –  Closing Remarks   

AGENDA 

8:00 a.m.  –  Check-in and Coffee

8:30 a.m.  –  Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:45 a.m.  –  Summary of Revised Stormwater Quality Manual and Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines | Kathleen Knight (CT Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection and Chris Sullivan (Southwest Conservation District)

9:45 a.m.  –  Break and Networking

10:00 a.m.  –  Construction Compliance Inspections 101 | Landon Baker and Alison Milliman (BSC Group)

11:15 a.m.  –  Break and Networking

11:30 a.m.  –  Breakout Group Discussion on BMPs | Landon Baker, Alison Milliman and Chris Sullivan)

12:00 a.m.  –  Lunch 

12:45 p.m.  –  Rotation through Field Stations (scroll down for information)

3:45 p.m.  –  Closing Remarks

JOIN the Soil & Water Conservation Society NOW
at the $115 Conservationist level and BENEFIT IMMEDIATELY
by registering at the $40 MEMBER RATE!   

Simply select the Blue Light Special ticket – we’ll handle the paperwork.

This offer is for 1st-time SWCS members only.

SWCS Southern New England Chapter is dedicated to supporting upcoming conservationists. Thanks to the support of our 2023 Sponsors, we’re pleased to offer FREE attendance to student members in good standing, and a discounted rate for other full-time students currently enrolled full-time at an accredited high school, college, or university.

• SWCS Member: $40

• General Admission: $75

• SWCS Student Chapter Member: FREE *

• Student General Admission: $20

• Blue Light Special:  $155 (includes membership and registration)

Students must be currently enrolled full-time at an accredited high school, college, or university.

*Registration is required.

NOTES:

• Pre-Registration Required – online by credit card only.

• This is a RAIN or SHINE event.

• No refunds. Registration may be transferred at no cost between attendees in the same ticket category and (if capacity allows) from one session to another.
• Morning coffee and a box lunch will be provided.

September 19th in Westerly, RI:

• BioPod™ – Brent Helm, Oldcastle Infrastructure

Sustainable Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management from Oldcastle Infrastructure.  BioPod™ systems utilize an advanced biofiltration design for filtration, sorption and biological uptake to remove Total Suspended Solids, dissolved metals, nutrients, gross solids, trash and debris as well as petroleum hydrocarbons from stormwater runoff.

• Concrete Canvas® – Melanie Furhman, Concrete Canvas USA

Created specifically for erosion control, containment and shelter applications, Concrete Canvas® is a flexible, concrete filled geosynthetic which provides a thin and durable concrete layer when hydrated. Typically, 10-times faster to install than conventional concrete solutions; essentially, it’s Concrete on a Roll™.  Melanie will show the different Concrete Canvas® applications in drainage channels and culvert repair.

• Flex MSE – Doug McCluskey, E. J. Prescott 

Flex MSE is a unique, sustainable vegetated wall system that is made up of bags that can be stacked to build the wall in different configurations depending on the height.  Doug will recruit volunteers to help stack the bags to demonstrate different installation styles and reinforcement mechanism options.

• Permeable Pavements – Mike Everhart, E. J. Prescott 

Mike will be showing plastic permeable pavement applications for both aggregate filled and turf reinforcement as well as Belgard® permeable paver applications 

• Profile® Mulches and Biotic Soil Media – Dylan Drudul, Profile Products  

Profile’s history of technical advancement, product innovation and real-world experience provides the foundation for best-in-class products – a full line of solutions is designed and engineered to deliver value you can depend on.  Dylan will discuss the high-end erosion control mulches and biotic soil media that Profile manufactures to tackle soil erosion. 

September 28th Field Stations

organized by product distributor Everett J. Prescott, Inc. 

‘Team EJP’ is also participating in field days
hosted by conservation districts in NEW HAMPSHIRE

• Wed Sept 20:  Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon
  Hosted by:  Hillsborough and Merrimack County Conservation Districts | Contact:  Merrimack CCD, 603-223-6020 or info@merrimackccd.org
• Thu Sept 21:  North Country Resource Center, Lancaster
  Hosted  by:  Coös and Grafton County Conservation Districts | Contact: Coös CCD, (603)788-4651, Ext 5 or da.cccd@gmail.com

Conservation NewsBriefs

Join the Southern New England Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society for our 2023 Annual Meeting.

Our featured speaker, SWCS Communications Coordinator Emma Harper, will describe membership benefits and upcoming SWCS programming.  Upcoming SNEC events will also be discussed. We’ll also recap our year and take care of business matters such as announcing the results of our 2023 Board of Directors Election.

This meeting is open to all interested in learning more about the Chapter and the Society. We will also be asking for suggestions and feedback on our upcoming events and projects.

The event is free.
Advanced registration is required.

Share the event flyer with those who may be interested.

Conservation NewsBriefs

SWCS Southern New England Chapter (SNEC) seeks a self-motivated contractor to handle administrative matters, coordinate educational events and outreach activities, and provide support to a volunteer Board of Directors on a part-time, remote basis (currently 400 hours/year with opportunity for expansion).

SNEC is a small non-profit organization that relies heavily on its volunteer Board of Directors. We serve our members and the regional conservation community primarily by providing opportunities for professional development and networking; the bulk of effort under this contract will stem from SNEC events and associated activities. Other typical duties include handling correspondence, managing website and social media content, and supporting outreach campaigns. The selected contractor will assist the Board monthly with items such as event-planning virtual meetings, action item follow-up, and elections. The estimated level of effort for the scope of work described below is 400 hours/year.   

The workload for this position fluctuates throughout the year but is relatively predictable; the months leading up to our winter conference are the busiest and summer is slowest. SNEC has no office space or supplies. The contractor provides their own workspace and personal computer. The work for this contract can be accomplished completely remotely, with optional travel to events. Travel to and in-person attendance at our events is NOT required.

SNEC’s main educational event is a full-day winter conference that includes presentations, discussion, and exhibits. The SNEC annual chapter meeting is held in the summer and includes a field component; the location rotates between the states we serve. SNEC also hosts a minimum of two (2) fall field days focused on erosion and sediment control and stormwater management; the program typically includes indoor presentations in the morning (organized by SNEC) and field displays/demonstrations in the afternoon (organized by a distributor).

Event-related tasks include but are not limited to –

• Securing venue space
• Coordinating meals for attendees
• Managing event registration and attendance using Eventbrite
• Creating event webpages and updates and promoting the event via social media and Mailchimp email blasts
• Developing event programs, agendas, and preparing folder inserts and graphics as needed
• Managing event needs, and day-of coordination (can be done remotely through delegation to the SNEC BOD)
• Completing post-event tasks like follow-up emails, and certificates of attendance

Administrative tasks include but are not limited to –

• Coordinating Board and event-planning committee meetings, taking basic notes and tracking action items
• Handling email correspondence, managing the mailing list, and maintaining contact with national staff
• Submitting reports and maintaining records
• Assisting Board with outreach to sponsors, and tracking delivery of sponsor benefits
• Managing website and social media content of the chapter including swcssnec.org, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook
• Compiling content and distributing quarterly newsletters
• Managing and executing SNEC outreach program that includes student outreach and member retention initiatives

There is great potential to grow this role and add items or services beyond the above listed. Potential additional services include developing and administering additional training workshops, conferences, and seminars; development and production of brochures and other publications; and special project development.

Terms for the Administrator/Event Coordinator contract will be $25/hour for up to 400 hours/year, renewable each year based on satisfactory performance. As noted above, the scope and budget for this can be expanded by mutual agreement. The SNEC will be responsible for the cost of approved expenses and supplies required for performance of the contractual services, including but not limited to overnight travel (GSA rates), meeting and office supplies, venue fees, postage, and web-related expenses. The Contractor retains the right to perform services for other clients.

How to Submit Your Application:

• Applications must include at least one link to a website that demonstrates your content management capability and at least one event page link or program from an event you coordinated.
• Contact information for a minimum of two references appropriate to this job description is required.
• Submit your 1-page resume and the above requested information to info@swcs.org.

For questions contact us at info@swcssnec.org. To learn more about the Chapter, visit https://swcssnec.org.

Conservation NewsBriefs

“MICROPLASTICS IN THE ENVIRONMENT”
BAOSHAN XING

Professor and Director of Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts Amherst

“Through the River and Over the Woods: Global PFAS Exposure and Implications for Ecosystem Health”
Lisa McIntosh

Senior Technical Manager, Woodard & Curran

“Improving Water Quality One Field at a Time: NRCS Practices for Producers”
Nancy Ferlow

Connecticut Natural Resources Conservation Service

“MassDEP’s Environmental Justice Initiatives to Improve Water Quality”
Dr. Padmini Das

Chief, Nonpoint Source Management Program, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

“Implementing the Single Standards Act to Increase State Protection of Buffers for Freshwater Wetlands in Rhode Island”
Chuck Horbert

Deputy Administrator, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

“Quality of Massachusetts Waters: Regulation, Improvement and Challenges”
David Wong

Environmental Analyst, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

“Wetlands and the MA Contingency Plan”
Mia McDonald

Circuit Rider, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Conservation NewsBriefs