DUVAL SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
  • Our History
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  • Regeneration Park
  • Start Farming
  • Local Working Group
  • Envirothon
  • Education
    • Speech and Poster Contest
    • Land Judging
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Local Working Group

Local Working Groups

Local working groups bring together agricultural and natural resources interests existing in Duval County.  Our monthly board meetings are open to the public and aimed to encourage participation from local producers, representatives of agricultural and environmental organizations, and representatives of governmental agencies carrying out agricultural and natural resource conservation programs and activities. 

In 1937, the Florida Legislature enacted Chapter 582, Florida Statutes (F.S.), Soil and Water Conservation. The legislation established a state and local partnership with the federal government to protect and restore soil and water resources, and to assist private landowners in using conservation practices. This partnership has worked for more than seventy years to address serious issues with regard to soil erosion, flood damage, and water quality. The vehicles for this partnership are the Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), which have statutory authorities ranging from project demonstration to land use regulation.

Since the inception of Chapter 582, Florida has established other state and regional governmental agencies to manage and protect our land and water resources, and to regulate water supply, water quality, and flood control. These agencies - the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the five water management districts (WMDs) and the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) - have acquired broad authorities and responsibilities that are similar to those outlined in the Soil and Water Conservation law. Perhaps because of this, the SWCDs have not needed to make full use of their statutory powers. However, the role of the SWCDs in land and water management remains significant, and is integral to meeting state environmental objectives at the local level.

​Florida’s districts have a long history in joining with partners to provide funding and technical support to help local landowners in conservation efforts. Traditionally, the three main partners are the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP), and the counties that the SWCDs serve. Many counties are turning to their county extension programs and to their soil and water conservation partners to help develop urban and agricultural programs at the local level on both public and private lands.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRCS provides America's farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too. More...

Association of Florida Conservation Districts

Local soil and water conservation districts depend on the Association of Florida Conservation Districts (AFCD) and the National Association of Conservation Districts for leadership and coordination in natural resource conservation endeavors. Both agencies are nonprofit organizations. AFCD operates under the direction of its elected governing body and provides information and support services to soil and water conservation districts throughout the state. More...
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Duval County Extension Office

Formed as a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences(UF/IFAS), and the City of Jacksonville, The Duval County Extenstion Office provides  research- based education from trained professionals and volunteers in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development. More...

Florida Forest Service

Working under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Forest Service works with the DSWCD to connect landowners to available management planning services, programs and grants to protect private forest land.  More...

Register for the 2021 Local Working Group meeting here!


Partners in Action

FL Forest Service ranger handing a paper to students in green shirts
Adults seated at tables in conference room viewing presentation on screen
Farmer at a stand selling vegetables under a green tent

We Want to Hear from You!

MEETING NOTICES:
The next Duval Soil and Water Conservation District's full meeting will take place on June 4th, 2025 from 9:00am - 10:30am, at the Duval County Extension Office, 1010 N. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32254.

Board Member Kamren Stowers will host his Agriculture subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, May 20th at 6:00pm at the UF Extension Office.


Our Full Board Meetings are on the first Wednesday of each month at the Duval County Extension Office, 1010 N. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32254, at 9:00 am. 
The Plan of Work Subcommittee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the same time and location. All meetings are open to the public. Public participation is available via Zoom teleconference.

Zoom Notice:


Duval Soil & Water is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Duval Soil & Water Conservation District's Zoom Meeting

​Time: 09:00 AM to 10:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85230502372

Meeting ID: 852 3050 2372
  • Our History
  • Supervisors
  • Regeneration Park
  • Start Farming
  • Local Working Group
  • Envirothon
  • Education
    • Speech and Poster Contest
    • Land Judging
  • Programs
  • Blog
  • Minutes
  • Links
  • Contact Us
  • Donate