REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST FIVE YEARS AT LRCD

By Tony Hoch

 

I’m writing this article on my 5^th anniversary of employment at the Laramie Rivers Conservation District.  I still remember calling a rancher friend in November of 2002 and asking questions about conservation districts as I eagerly put together a resume and cover letter for what would surely be a rewarding position.  I was not disappointed.

 

Back in January of 2003 we had two employees: the District Clerk, and me.  Our major programs were focused on seedling trees and living snow fences and educational programs for younger school children.  We had just received an EPA Clean Water Act grant to do monitoring and proactive water quality work on the Big and Little Laramie Rivers and were looking to hire a new resource specialist.  Below is brief summary of how we’ve grown to improve services to our community:

 

2003

Local Cost share program is introduced

29 Educational programs reach 1500 adults and children

2004

5 year, long range plan is adopted, and includes new section on energy conservation

LRCD gets monthly article in local newspaper

Chairman, Mike Parker retires from board; Joe Meyer is elected

Safe Harbor Agreement for Wyoming Toad is signed—the first SHA agreement in region.

2005

Wyoming toad is reintroduced on private land.

Rural cost share program is introduced

2006   

First Conservation Expo is held

Wyoming Toad is reintroduced on private land   

LRCD begins writing grazing plans for small acreage land owners

LRCD begins participating in interagency coordinated resource management

Carl Shaffer resigns from board, Jim Rogers is appointed to replace him

Administrative Assistant position is created

Dave Whitman retires from board after 20 years, Jim Rogers and Nancy Bath are elected, Chairman Jerry Johnson is reelected

Joe Meyer resigns from board

2007

Michele Barlow is appointed to replace Joe Meyer on the board

Second resource specialist position is created, due to increased project load

LRCD enters into a stewardship contracting agreement with the Forest Service

Education coordinator focuses purely on education outreach

71 Educational programs reach 2400 adults and children

U of WY Lab School and LRCD partner to begin developing the La Bonte Park Outdoor Learning Center

 

Our board of dedicated conservationists continues to reflect the key agriculture, education, and business components of our community, and with the move to the new office, LRCD staff will continue to work to meet Albany County’s natural resource education and service needs.  Please stop by and visit us and find out how we can serve you!