Charleston Soil & Water Conservation District promotes a better world!
Please see our meeting update below.
CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHN SMOAK, RE-ELECTED COMMISSIONER TO OUR BOARD!! JOHN IS A GREAT ASSET TO CHARLESTON SOIL & WATER! SEE ARTICLE UPDATE ON NEXT PAGE-"District Commissioner updates"
Inside.... 2020 Social Media outreach for Edisto Watershed - click on the Edisto link below!
EDISTO WATERSHED PLAN OUTREACH SURVEY
Scroll up and click on Edisto Watershed Outreach Plan - Survey link to see more written information about the survey!
2019 Ford Walpole & W. H. Hanvey, Jr. (Hal) takes Commissioner Oath of office.
2019 Charleston Soil & Water Conservation District Annual Newsletter Report
2019 " Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper: Poster/Essay Contest Winners
2018 Commissioner William C. Kennerty passes-See Memorial Page
2018 " Watersheds - Our Water, Our Home Poster/Essay Contest Winners
2018 Charleston Soil & Water Conservation District Annual Newsletter Report
2018 William S. Simpson, III-Inducted into the SouthEast Conservation Hall of Fame!
2017 Charleston Soil & Water Conservation District Annual Newsletter Report
2017 " Healthy Soils are Full of Life" Poster/Essay Contest Winners
USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program Works for Charleston County
L-R Front Row: Lori Bataller, NRCS District Conservationist; Debbie Eckard, District Manager & Education Coordinator; D. Hope Watson, Esq., Associate Commissioner.
L-R Back Row: William S. Simpson, III, Chairman; Mickey Floyd, Treasurer; John Smoak, Vice-Chairman; and W. H. (Hal) Hanvey, Jr., Commissioner; and Not shown, Commissioner Ford Walpole.
Board of Commissioners
District Commissioners
William S. Simpson, III - Chairman
John H. Smoak - Vice Chair
M. F. “Mickey” Floyd - Treasurer
Ford Walpole
W. H. Hanvey, Jr. (Hal)
Associate Commissioners
Kathy Woolsey
D. Hope Watson, Esq.
Brian Celek
Emeritus Commissioners
William C. Kennerty - Passes 2019
William Geraty - Passes 2020
Staff - District
Debbie Eckard, District Manager/Education Coordinator
Staff - USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
Lori Bataller, NRCS District Conservationist
Gabrielle "Gabby" Fajardo, NRCS New Resource Soil Scientist
Ann Bentley, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician, Retires
Join Us
Whether you are a lifetime advocate or new to our cause, we invite you to join us. We welcome new ideas and value enthusiasm from members and volunteers, new and old.
The Board of Commissioners is composed of five members. They determine the needs and set the priorities for the conservation work in the District. Two members are appointed by the SC Department of Natural Resources and three are elected in the general election.
The Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, March 10th 3:30 pm at the Ft. Johnson Outdoor Classroom, located at 217 Ft. Johnson Rd. After you enter gate, go 1/3 mile. Just past wood area on left will be a parking lot where outdoor classroom is located.
Our meetings are open to the public!
Mission
Preserve and enhance water quality, working farms, natural areas, and wildlife through locally-led conservation efforts
About us
· Established by state law in 1937
· Parcel of state & national District program
· Five-member board of Commissioners
· State, County & Federal partnership
· Programs focus on soil & water
Programs & Projects
Stormwater Management—Water Quality & Quantity—Land Conservation Agreements—Responsible Development Practices—Wildlife Habitat Enhancement & Protection—Managing Invasive Plants & Animals Recycling—Litter Prevention—Agricultural Best Management Practices—Smart Fertilizer & PesticideApplication—Riparian & Roadway Buffers—Soil Conservation
· Legislative efforts—Participate in area, state, and national meetings to develop legislative priorities and recognize local conservation issues. Advocate for action in areas of concern to local representatives.
· Education—Engage local students in resource conservation through poster and essay contests, scholarships, awards, sponsorships, in-class programs and educational material.
· Partnerships—Collaborate with local, state, and federal resource professionals, creating a foundation of communication, knowledge, and capability.
· Technical & Citizen Assistance—Work with farmers and landowners to implement on the ground conservation practices through farm bill programs, dunes restoration, water quality grants, river conservation programs, flood management, aerial photography, GIS, buffers and fencing, and planting recommendations.
· Public Outreach—Promote conservation activities in Charleston County through local exhibits, information development & distribution, public presentations, career days, newsletters, and recognition awards.