LEWISTON – “I’m moving to Florida,” announced Kay Nickel, district conservationist, at the June meeting of the Board of Supervisors, USDA Natural Resources Conservation District. She has accepted a position with Natural Resources Conservation Service of Florida as a conservationist for three districts.

Nickel began her career with the Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties district as an intern while attending the University of Maine in Fort Kent and has served in Aroostook, Piscataquis, Somerset, Oxford, Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties for 25 years.

As a district conservationist, she has demonstrated a commitment to the conservation of natural resources and to the farmers and landowners in her area of service.

Nickel has remained an advocate for the voluntary approach to getting conservation on the ground.

Throughout the two counties she has worked with farmers needing assistance with issues like nutrient management plans, waste storage facilities, cropland, grazing land, water use, wildlife habitat, wetland restoration and forestry conservation practices. The cost share dollars and technical assistance have assisted in the promotion of agricultural and forestry sustainability and served to conserve the natural resources.

Kay has been successful in bringing federal, state and local representatives together to consider the local needs and priorities for the conservation of the natural resources.

Through a cooperative approach with municipalities and school groups, hands-on volunteer work was done to prevent shoreline erosion at public beaches and boat access ramps.