National Association of Conservation Districts

District Excellence Awards

NACD 2008 Annual Meeting • February 10 - 13, 2008 • Reno, NV

Agricultural Lands Resources
Broad River Soil and Water Conservation District – Georgia
Spanning seven counties in Georgia, the Broad River Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) successfully encourages landowner participation. To increase landowner participation, the District bring together local producers and other interested individuals to discuss natural resource concerns. Based on these discussions, the District then ranks necessary conservation practices. The District board focuses on establishing district policies and goals, as well as maintaining and securing substantial funding through various programs and grants. The Broad River SWCD leads the state in the amount EQIP funding, which has resulted in the use of best management practices (BMPs) on thousands of acres. These Agricultural BMPs will improve the water quality in their watershed, which, in turn, benefits the whole region.

District Operations
Benton County Conservation District – Arkansas
The Benton County Conservation District (CD) conducts a variety of successful programs and events. The Benton County Illinois River Watershed Cost Share Program 319(h) ended this past July after three strong years of providing technical assistance while implementing Best Management Practices and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans on agricultural land within the Illinois River watershed. Benton County CD also emphasizes informational and educational programs, hosting Annual Study Days and Legislative Conservation Picnics. The District also sponsors two students per year to attend the Youth Conservation Workshop and gives a scholarship through the Conservation District’s AACD essay contest. Technical services provided by the District include Conservation Applications, Contract Follow-Up, Program Maintenance and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning.

Forestry Resources
Washington County Soil Conservation District – Maryland
The Washington County Soil Conservation District works cooperatively through a Memorandum of Understanding with the county to implement certain aspects of the State of Maryland’s Forest Conservation Act. They work with developers to preserve existing forests and plant new forest areas as outlined in the Act. From marketing the program and identifying landowners, to facilitating the bidding process with qualified tree planting companies, the Washington County Soil Conservation District is intricately involved in maintaining and conserving Maryland’s forest resource base.

Grazing Lands and Public Lands Resources
Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District – New York
With a strong commitment and diverse partnerships, Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been able to bring resources and equipment into the five watersheds of Madison County. Since 2005, they have seen major growth in the number of acres put into managed grazing as well as in the number of farm family participants. One unique way the District gets their message to the community is through pasture walks held at twilight. Madison County SWCD has also made a concerted effort to work with the media at least once a month to increase public awareness of conservation and the benefits of good conservation practices.

Stewardship and Education
Kay County Conservation District – Oklahoma
For the Kay County Conservation District, conservation education is not just for kids! The District crafts its messages to address audiences of all ages through unique and innovative ways. Over the past two years, puppet shows on conservation topics have been performed for over 2,100 children. For the older students, fiberglass models of communities illustrate conservation issues and provide hands-on learning opportunities. Other programs used to engage the students include workshops and student contests, as well as a Career Extravaganza for eighth graders. To reach the adult segment of the community, this past year the District has published 230 news articles, recorded five television segments, and held various events to share the conservation message and educate the entire community.

Urban, Community, and Coastal Resources
Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District – Iowa
Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is home to Iowa’s finest surface water resources—the natural glacial lakes. The community economy depends on tourism and tourism is dependent on good water quality. Dickinson County SWCD makes a concentrated effort to protect the water quality of the glacial lakes. In 2003, the District created a strategy aimed at complementing the conservation efforts already implemented in the watershed’s agricultural community. The strategy included intense educational efforts, installation of urban best management practice demonstrations and ultimately a review of local codes/ordinances to institutionalize storm water management strategies that protect water quality. The Dickinson County SWCD has continued to build on that foundation and worked towards its end.

Water Resources
Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District – Mississippi
Washington County is the second largest cropland in Mississippi. Its entire 447,000 acres drain into the Mississippi River. Because of its close proximity to the nation’s largest watershed, Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has focused its efforts on protecting water resources. They helped create the Delta Conservation Demonstration Center, impacting local and national conservation education. Their restoration and beautification projects, conducted primarily in minority communities, have involved more than 500 individuals, businesses, civic groups and local, state and federal agencies. Through their outreach, dedication to water resources and outstanding 319 funding, Washington County SWCD has a tremendous impact on conservation in the Mississippi River watershed and surrounding community.

Wildlife and Environment
Fulton County Conservation District – Arkansas
The Fulton County Conservation District (CD) focuses wildlife conservation efforts on quail restoration. Their Bobwhite Quail Focal Area, one of only three in Arkansas, showcases conservation practices to audiences from around the state. The District collaborates with others to significantly impact quail restoration efforts. In 2007, over 500 people attended the District’s Annual Fish Derby, enjoying its outdoor and conservation activities. The District communicates with the community about conservation in their area through weekly radio programs, newspaper articles, television interviews, landowner and minority newsletters and numerous field days. To date, the field staff oversees 115 active EQIP contracts with $760,902.36 obligated for cost share assistance, most of which include conservation practices that benefit wildlife.