In 2023, the Campbell County Conservation District (CD) designed and developed a mobile educational “Soil Trailer” in partnership with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Wyoming Community Foundation, Audubon Rockies, and the Friends of NACD. The trailer was created to provide local youth and adult audiences with a creative, engaging, and inclusive way to learn about the importance of soil health.

The trailer includes exhibits on fossils and wildlife species that can be found locally. It also highlights the importance of energy development by providing community information on the environmental impacts of coal mining and provides new interactive learning opportunities for its users. In the Campbell County CD Soil Trailer’s debut, approximately 675 students were educated on root system functionality while exploring the trailer’s interactive soil profile wall, prairie dog tunnel, and root length diagram. One teacher supporting the event reported that “the Soil Trailer was a popular topic among students” and recognized it as a “phenomenal tool for teaching kids about soil.”

The Campbell County CD anticipates continued expansion of its outreach and education programs as it explores options for capacity building to support this important work. In reaching the local youth of Campbell County, the district is playing a significant role in educating and developing the next generation of conservation leaders. In the future, Campbell County CD plans to continue leading and supporting youth education opportunities like the annual Agriculture Expo, Children’s Festival, natural resources youth camps, and more.

The Friends of NACD District Grants Program is a grassroots-funded program designed by conservation districts to conduct new activities and/or test novel approaches to their operations. Stay tuned for the 2025 Friends of NACD District Grants Program opportunity, to be released this fall. Learn more about current and past projects on the Friends of NACD website.

Please consider becoming a member of Friends of NACD to help provide more grant opportunities like this to districts throughout the NACD network.