About Yellow River SWCD
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Yellow River Soil & Water Conservation District is to set forth guidelines and policies for the implementation of conservation activities in Okaloosa County.
Our Mission
To deliver natural resources conservation technology and education to local land users of Okaloosa County.
Staff
3070 Adora Teal Way- Suite A
Crestview, FL 32539
850-682-2416
Okaloosa County, Florida
Board Members
What We Do
The Yellow River Soil & Water Conservation District works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) creating ways to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, convert irrigation systems and inform the public about conservation problems.
A Code of Ethics has been adopted by the district. For Code of Ethics Information. View Code of Ethics Here.
The Yellow River SWCD operates under Florida Statutes 582 under the Florida Legislature.
Service Area
Services Provided
The District is assisted by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly Soil Conservation Service, in its efforts to implement conservation pro grams. Services are many and varied, they include:
Conservation Planning (Agriculture Land Use)
Inventory and Evaluations of soil for individuals as well as local, state and federal agencies.
Technical Assistance for the implementation of conservation practices including erosion control, beach dune restoration, pond design, wildlife management, tree planting, pasture planting, and various conservation practices.
Sponsor Activities: Earth Day, Speaking Contest, Farm Tour, Information Education Programs, Soil Stewardship Week
Educational Programs
The annual Envirothon, Poster & Speech Contest and Land Judging are some of the educational programs with which we are currently involved.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of these programs, in having a district supervisor work with you on a project or in offering your support for our work, please contact:
Envirothon
- Aquatics – water ecology, water chemistry, water quality, and aquatic life.
- Current Environmental Issues – annually selected topics such as energy sources, ground water, Gulf of Mexico environmental concerns or other current issues.
- 2016 Topic is Invasive Species
- Forestry – tree identification, tree ecology, insects, and timber.
- Soils – classification, formation, soil properties, profiles, and site suitability.
- Wildlife – habitat, identification, food, disease, and management.
Poster Contest
Each year, the poster contest starts at the district level. Individuals and teachers with questions regarding district contests should contact their local district. To locate your local district search our state directory. District winners advance to the state level. For questions regarding state competitions, districts should contact their state association. Finally, state winners advance to the National Contest. National winners are recognized each year at the NACD Annual Meeting.
**PLEASE NOTE: Check your state poster contest sponsoring group to determine deadline and theme topic and correct poster size. Each state coordinates their own contest. Posters must follow your state’s guidelines to be eligible for the national contest.
Speech Contest
Check back for more details coming soon.
Land Judging
The skills the teens use at the contest involve principles that can be valuable in career fields like environmental and agricultural management, natural resources conservation, home building, engineering, and construction. Students can compete at the local, state, and national levels.
The Yellow River Soil & Water Conservation Districts host local middle and high school students in FFA and 4-H to test their knowledge by judging soils from four pits that are selected by a Soil Scientist with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
In each class (Middle 4-H, High 4-H, Middle FFA, High FFA) the local county winner may compete at the state contest in that respective class.
Top placing teams in the state contest are eligible to compete at the National Land Judging Contest held at the end of April.
Financials
Budget Information
To view the District’s annual financial report visit the Department of Financial Services:
- View Financial Reports Here
- VIEW AUDIT Fiscal Year 2016 here.
This includes the final, complete audit report for the most recent completed fiscal year ending September 30.
Get in Touch!
Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District
Contact: Susan Holley
3070 Adora Teal Way- Suite A
Crestview, FL 32539
850-682-2416
Okaloosa County, Florida
yellowriverswcd@yahoo.com