Would you like to become more involved  with the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! The DSWCD is currently accepting applications for new Affiliate members. Our affiliate members play a crucial role within the District by advising our supervisors as well as assisting them in their duties and responsibilities. If you are interested, please fill out our Affiliate Member application (Click Here to view) and submit to our Chairman, Allen L. Moore at 260 U.S. 301 North , Baldwin, FL 32340. If you have any questions or comments you can reach Allen at (904)465-0678 or at amooresr3@gmail.com. 

What is Stewardship Week? NACD Stewardship Week is one of the largest national programs to promote natural resource conservation. Celebrated annually since 1955 between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, NACD Stewardship Week reminds us of our individual responsibilities to care for natural resources. 2019 marks the 64th year to celebrate NACD Stewardship Week. 

Why Stewardship Week? Each spring, NACD and thousands of dedicated conservationists organize a multitude of outreach events and educational learning experiences for students and adults in order to increase awareness about the importance of natural resource conservation. During Stewardship Week, local conservation districts and their state associations educate the public on the importance of soil health, water quality, pollinator habitat and other conservation topics. Different classroom activities, field visits and community events are hosted to honor and recognize efforts in conservation at the local level.
 
The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District will be hosting a special screening of the documentary film, Living Soil. The screening will be held this Wednesday, May 1 at 3:30 p.m. at UF / IFAS Extension Duval County Agriculture.This informative documentary is about U.S. conservation and the agricultural heroes who nurture our soil. The screening will be followed by a brief discussion of stewardship efforts in Duval County. 

Thank you to the Jacksonville City Council for adopting a resolution to recognize Stewardship Week from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. (Click to view)  Jacksonville City Council member Sam Newby attended our April Regular meeting to recognize the District's 2019 Stewardship Week. 

We were pleased to host our "Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper" Speech & Poster Contest in March.
​Congratulations to our winners! 
Poster Contest
1st (Grades 2-3) - Colton Gokey, Seacoast Charter Academy 
1st (Grades 4-6) - Shonday Dominique, The Foundation Academy 
1st (Grades 7-9) - Mallory Smith, Father's H.a.r.b.o.r. Academy
Speech Contest
1st - Anyse-Leanna Martin, The Foundation Academy 
2nd - Shye Tapley, The Foundation Academy 
3rd - Nichol Scott, The Foundation Academy

Our 1st place winner, Anyse-Leanna Martin, represented Duval County at the Area II level of competition this month. She took home second place!
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Thank you to our judges, Shelton Hull and Brett Waller, and to our presenting sponsor, Allen Skinner of Soil Life Organics.

The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District is proud to stand with the St. Johns Water Management District in proclaiming April as Water Conservation Month! The DSWCD passed a proclamation (view below) at our March Board Meeting to recognize this designation. Municipalities and boards from across the district are partnering with the SJWMD to help increase awareness about the importance of water conservation and to increase efforts to conserve water.  (See the full list here!) 

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WHEREAS, water is a basic and essential need of every living creature; and

WHEREAS, The State of Florida, Water Management Districts and Duval Soil and Water Conservation District are working together to increase awareness about the importance of water conservation; and

WHEREAS, Duval County and the State of Florida has designated April, typically a dry month when water demands are most acute, Florida’s Water Conservation Month, to educate citizens about how they can help save Florida’s precious water resources; and

WHEREAS, Duval Soil and Water Conservation District has always encouraged and supported water conservation, through various educational programs and special events; and

WHEREAS, every business, industry, school and citizen can make a difference when it comes to conserving water; and

WHEREAS, every business, industry, school and citizen can help by saving water and thus promote a healthy economy and community; and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that by virtue of the authority vested in me as Chairman, Allen L. Moore of the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District do hereby proclaim the month of April as
 
Water Conservation Month
NOW, THEREFORE, the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District hereby proclaims the month of April 2019 as Water Conservation Month. 
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The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District is calling upon each citizen and business to help protect our precious resource by practicing water saving measures and becoming more aware of the need to save water.
 
Allen L. Moore, Chairman
 
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of March 2019.