As part of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy implementation grant, funded by Illinois EPA, University of
Illinois Extension conducted a national search to hire two watershed outreach associates. The work conducted under this grant supports the strategy through the development and delivery of education, outreach, and technical assistance centered in and focused on selected priority watershed basins.
Jennifer Woodyard is a watershed outreach associate who focuses on phosphorus-priority watersheds—Little Wabash River and Embarras River. She started in April of 2018 and is located in the Illinois Extension office in Effingham.
Haley Haverback is the watershed outreach associate who works with nitrogen-priority watersheds—Mississippi Central/Henderson Creek and Lower Rock River. She started in May of 2018 and is located in the Illinois Extension office in Galva.
Their initial year focused on grant startup activities working with Illinois EPA staff members, the grant’s science team, and other project personnel. The watershed outreach associates began by learning about nutrient loss reduction issues and related local conditions, as well as developing relationships to facilitate collaborative partnerships. In addition, the associates began conducting education and outreach, including presentations about the strategy.
To address local issues, in the Lower Rock River Watershed, the associate has facilitated conversations with SWCDs to identify areas to lead watershed planning efforts—opportunities are available in sub-watersheds across the Lower Rock. The associate is working with stakeholders in Mill Creek, a subwatershed in the Lower Rock to develop a watershed management plan.
In the Embarras River Watershed, the associate is leading ongoing efforts to update the current watershed management plan prior to its 2021 expiration. Multiple stakeholders are investing in the issue with time and monetary support. When the updated plan is approved, the watershed associates’ efforts will shift to implementation. Multiple opportunities exist in the Little Wabash Watershed to conduct planning in upcoming years.
The watershed outreach associates produce the Illinois NLRS podcast series in collaboration with Illinois Extension’s farm broadcaster. Each episode features BMPs to reduce nutrient loss, such as cover crops, woodchip bioreactors, MRTN, and manure management. Researchers, Extension educators, agricultural professionals, government employees, and farmers have all been featured guests discussing how and why to implement BMPs, as well as the challenges and successes that go along with it. Listen at will.illinois.edu/agriculture/note/illinois-nutrient-loss-reduction-podcast.
