Uncategorized

By Candice Abinanti Last week, over 100 district employees from throughout the southeast gathered in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for the 2019 Southeast Conservation District Employees Association's (SECDEA) Annual Conference. Presided over by SECDEA President Hope Daley from Mississippi, the two-day conference provided the opportunity for conservation district employees to gather, share ideas, and hear updates…… Continue reading →

Erin Hines is just one of hundreds of thousands of students whose life has been forever positively impacted through the National Conservation Foundation (NCF)-Envirothon. Like the thousands of high school students who compete each year, Hines understands the vast impacts of the international natural resource competition. These individuals gain an understanding of the complexities of balancing quality of life with conservation…… Continue reading →

Seven years ago, when the LaGrange County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held a meeting with local landowners to discuss water quality issues in Indiana’s Little Elkhart River watershed, those in attendance had little to say. Many were Amish. Old Order Amish landowner Monroe Raber stepped forward. “I told the guy if he needed…… Continue reading →

At the core of every inspirational story is one consistent thing: Inspired people. Sure, there are always similar factors like challenges, motivations and outcomes, but people are the main ingredient when it comes to inspiration. People drive achievement and accomplishment, because they take a challenge and transform it to a success. They navigate relationships, address conflict, unite…… Continue reading →

By Steve Robinson What is the best conservation success story you heard in 2019? Whether it was overcoming a challenge or creating something that was deeply and truly needed, chances are it’s a tale where a group came together to accomplish something bigger than themselves. These collective efforts are the backbone of passionate work, and…… Continue reading →

By Josie Fuentes Despite the warm temperatures, local supporters were not deterred from showing up to celebrate the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) 66th anniversary. Local sponsors, community advocates, city council members and members of the public were all present at the rooftop deck of Intuition Ale Works in the downtown Urban Core.…… Continue reading →

Flooding across the Midwest has kept farmers from planting an unusually high number of acres this spring. Unable to plant their cash crop, many farmers are taking a second look at cover crops in order to maintain living cover on their fields and prevent erosion. Unfortunately, the relationship between cover crops and prevented planting crop…… Continue reading →

By Gelyan Reyes In 1992, Caribe SCD became the first district in Puerto Rico to ever have a Youth Board. The Youth Board consisted of eight members (five Board Supervisors and three Vocals) and was a self- sufficient and complete team with its own regulations and bylaws. The Caribe SCD Youth Board operated from 1992-2000…… Continue reading →

On May 28, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management published a map of the state, indicating that all 77 counties of the Sooner State are under a declared state of emergency. Following flooding, severe storms, tornadoes and extreme winds beginning in April, the state has been inundated with devastating weather events, with the potential for…… Continue reading →

By Laura Johnson, Washington State Conservation CommissionOn May Day (May 1), conservation partners in Washington State crossed a milestone. Not only did Dr. Carol Smith become the first female executive director of the Washington State Conservation Commission in the 80-year history of the agency, her appointment also marked the first time that women held all…… Continue reading →