Yellow River
Soil and Water Conservation District

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

Contact: Susan Holley
3070 Adora Teal Way- Suite A
Crestview, FL 32539
850-682-2416

Okaloosa County, Florida

Board Members

What We Do

Established by the Florida Legislature, the Yellow River Soil & Water Conservation District, a governmental subdivision of the State of Florida, was established October 9, 1950 under Florida Statutes 582 by local residents for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the wise use, management and general conservation of the County’s soil, water and related natural resources. The District is committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Yellow River/Okaloosa County, Florida through conservation of its natural resources.

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.

Charter / creation document (Community development districts may reference Chapter 190, Florida Statutes – Community Development Districts, as the uniform charter, but must include information relating to any grant of special powers)Statute or statutes under which the special district operates, if different from the statute or statutes under which the special district was established. Suggest including Chapter 189, Florida Statutes – Uniform Special District Accountability Act

Service Area

The Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District serves all of Okaloosa County, Florida in the area of the conservation and stewardship of our natural resources.

Services Provided

The District provides assistance to local, state, and federal agencies, and other groups. The district’s task is to solve soil, water and related resource conservation problems. The district is governed by five non-paid supervisors, who are elected in a general election to serve a four-year term.

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 Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors a number of programs that serve the Okaloosa County communities. Through community support and fundraising efforts, the district is working to build the number of services we are able to offer.

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

The Regional Envirothon is a problem-solving, natural resource education program for high school students. It is a unique outdoor competition that requires teamwork and the application of knowledge in the five areas listed below:

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

The annual National Conservation Poster Contest provides kindergarten through twelfth grade students an opportunity to convey their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues through art. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state conservation associations, auxiliaries and agencies. The poster contest theme follows the annual Stewardship theme. The contest is co-sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts and the NACD Auxiliary.

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

Okaloosa County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors an annual speech contest, which is designed to develop leadership and stimulate interest in conserving natural resources.

Check back for more details coming soon.

Land Judging

Land Judging is an exciting 4-H and FFA contest in which Middle and High School students in observe and interpret the soil in order to make wise land use decisions.

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

The District’s fiscal year runs from October 1st through September 30th annually.

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