A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING SOIL AND WATER STEWARDSHIP WEEK 2018

Introduced by Council Member Newby:
         
 
RESOLUTION 2018 
A RESOLUTION HONORING AND COMMENDING THE DUVAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT IN CELEBRATING SOIL AND WATER STEWARDSHIP WEEK 2018; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
 
     WHEREAS, The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District Board (SWCD) was created in September of 1953 under the authority created by the Soil Conservation Act, passed by Florida Legislature in 1937. The Duval SWCD was organized by concerned citizens of Duval County to help landowners and users to conserve land, water, forests, wildlife and related natural resources. The current mission of the District is to plan, facilitate, and implement programs, projects, and practices that help conserve the natural resources throughout Duval County; and
WHEREAS, in 1955, the National Association of Conservation Districts began a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. The Stewardship Program relies on conservation districts sharing and promoting stewardship and conservation through field days, educational programming, and workshops to educate citizens about the need to care for our natural resources; and
     WHEREAS, Stewardship Week is celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. In addition, it is recognized as one of the world’s largest conservation-related observances. The activities during the week help to remind us all of the power each person has to conserve natural resources and improve the world. When everyone works together with their local conservation district, that power continuously grows; and
     WHEREAS, the Board, which consists of 5 non-partisan elected supervisors who serve at-large, is celebrating the 63rd National Observance Week throughout the county and promoting its annual speech and poster contest for all students 6th – 12 grade. The theme for this year is “Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home”. Water is one of our most precious resources. Watersheds supply water for drinking and recreation, irrigation and manufacturing, and wildlife and bird habitat. It is essential that each of us adopts good water conservation habits so that we can keep our water resources safe and productive now and for future generations; now therefore
     BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville:
     Section 1.      The City of Jacksonville hereby honors and commends the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District Board on their work and commitment to the citizens of Duval County to conserve, improve and sustain its natural resources, and encourages all residents to participate in the Stewardship Program activities.
     Section 2.      Effective Date.  This Resolution shall become effective upon signature by the Mayor or upon becoming effective without the Mayor's signature.