Photo Credits (Abundant Harvest Farms & Edible Northeast Florida

Read the article:
​ Farming mentorship program offers move toward self-sufficiency during pandemic - First Coast News

​WASHINGTON – The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Second Vice President Kim LaFleur announced the 2021 recipients of the Friends of NACD District Grants program during NACD’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on February 9th.

The Friends of NACD program was established in 2009 to support the nation’s nearly 3,000 conservation districts through cash donations to NACD.

Now in its second round of funding, the Friends of NACD District Grants program is an initiative of the NACD District Operations and Member Services (DOMS) Committee that enables a portion of funds raised through individual donations in support of locally-led conservation to be awarded to four conservation district projects of up to $2,500 each.

“Last year, in our inaugural district grants program, we were able to help support conservation districts from across the country,” LaFleur said. “We’re excited to offer a second round of funding, knowing that our conservation districts thrive on this partnership.”

The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District in Florida will begin a farming mentorship program to support new farmers by providing tours of diverse farm operations and onsite workshops about sustainable practices, including water conservation, composting and permaculture.

The Catoosa County Conservation District in Georgia will host a rain barrel workshop to encourage and promote residential water conservation.

In Connecticut, the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District will develop land owned by the conservation district into an outdoor conservation showcase and education center for area residents, schools, students, and conservation volunteers and professionals.

The Beaver County Conservation District in Oklahoma will commemorate the devastating March 7, 2020 wildfire with a one-day “block party”-style event, using speakers, vendors, demonstrations, games and entertainment to encourage community residents to participate in wildfire prevention and learn how to prepare themselves when wildfire strikes again.

“We have seen how these district grants help support locally-led conservation delivery in communities across the nation,” LaFleur said. “NACD is proud to support our members in expanding their reach and advancing their mission.”

Learn more about the district grants program on NACD’s website.

About the National Association of Conservation Districts:
The National Association of Conservation Districts is the nonprofit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For more than 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. For more information about NACD, visit: www.nacdnet.org.

RE: Proposed Green Infrastructure Improvements at Moncrief Rd. and W. 13th St.

The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District requests public comment on a proposed project on the west side of Jacksonville’s Urban Core. The project would be situated on half an acre of currently unused public land in Durkeeville near the S-Line and the Sugar Hill Mosaic at Moncrief Rd. and W. 13th St.

Regeneration Park is a proposed green infrastructure and community stewardship project which will create a safe space to demonstrate urban agriculture, cultivate environmental stewardship and empower residents to build with nature for social, economic and environmental health. Our network of conservation and community partners will work together to provide education, outreach, research, hands-on conservation, native seed collection, and technical assistance that results in a resilient and sustainable system supported by a thriving biodiverse habitat. In addition to planned educational workshops, establishing a bioswale and pollinator habitat, and installing signage that explains the functions of the green infrastructure within the park, the Duval SWCD will also host annual celebrations of Stewardship Week and quarterly community cleanups. While the first phase of this project would focus on green infrastructure, a potential second phase would incorporate grey infrastructure including a pavilion, ADA-compliant pathway, benches and solar lighting.  

The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District has been working with the City of Jacksonville’s Parks and Recreation department to develop an appropriate plan for the site which is less than a mile from the recently completed EPA cleanup activities which addressed soil and sediment contamination at the Fairfax Street Wood Treaters Superfund site. Additional improvements are underway through the City of Jacksonville’s decision to fund and approve the creation of Groundwork Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail system, which will be 30 miles of trails, greenways and parks that encircle the Urban Core. Regeneration Park would be situated along the Emerald Trail's Biodiversity Corridor.

We would like to invite individuals and neighborhood organizations to submit comments, questions and concerns by email to duvalswcd@gmail.com. Your feedback is important and will direct our efforts for an initial grant application to secure funding for the project. We will look forward to continued conversation in the months ahead!

Working Group:
Duval Soil and Water Conservation District
COJ Parks and Recreation
Groundwork Jacksonville
UF/IFAS Duval County Extension
​St. Johns Riverkeeper
Jacksonville Youth Works, Inc.
NativeJax Permaculture Design
Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board
​
Project Proposal
​Resolution
Press Release - Conservation District Awarded Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant
Now Hiring - Urban Agriculture Coordinator
Press Release - Conservation District to Break Ground at Regeneration Park

We are excited to again host the annual Speech and Poster Contest! This local contest allows students to compete in the state, and even national contest under the same topic. The winners of the Duval County Speech Contest receives a cash prize, plus one student will get an invite to compete regionally and statewide for grades 6-12th. The poster contest is an additional way to compete in the competition for grades K-12. 

This year the Speech & Poster Contest will be 100% Virtual. Students must submit their entry online for judging.

The topic for both competitions is "HEALTHY FORESTS – HEALTHY COMMUNITIES?" and speeches are to be no more than 5-7 minutes. Independent research on the topic works to further educate students in conservation and natural resources, while public speaking provides a host of additional benefits. Artistic skills are called on for the poster contest, and all ages are encouraged to participate. Cash prizes for top winners.

We hope that you, a friend, a relative, or a student you know will consider entering in the 2021 annual ​Joe B. Forshee, Jr. Speech Contest and Poster Contest for Duval County.

UPDATE: Entry Deadline has been extended until May 3, 2021.
Please Download the ENTRY FORMS below.

To enter the Poster Contest, please email completed sign up form and good quality photos of your poster to show the front and back of your poster and ALL of its edges.

To enter the Speech Contest, please email completed sign up form and Video of you reciting your speech  via an attached file or YouTube.com link to duvalswcd@gmail.com

CASH PRIZES:
2021 Speech Contest:
First place - $ 50.00
Second place - $ 30.00
Third place - $ 20.00

2021 Poster contest:
Categories - K-1; 2-3; 4-6; 7-9; 10-12
First place - $ 40.00 for each Category 
Second place - $ 20.00 for each  Category 
Third place - $ 10.00 for each Category