Our Education Programs
Thank you for your interest in our education programs!
The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District was created in July of 1953 under the authority created by the Soil Conservation Act, passed by the Florida Legislature in 1937. The DSWCD was organized by concerned citizens of Duval County to help landowners and users to conserve land, water, forests, wildlife and related natural resources.
The education programs that the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District help to build and fund are some of the most important projects we do all year! Not only do these educational programs attract interested students through extra curricular school programs, but they also fulfill the mission of the board by educating future generations of stewards to our land. Through the Speech & Poster Contest, Envirothon, Photo Contest and Land Judging we are able to annually reach hundreds of students in K-12 with conservation information. Additionally, we recognize teachers through our Conservation Teacher of the Year award.
The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District was created in July of 1953 under the authority created by the Soil Conservation Act, passed by the Florida Legislature in 1937. The DSWCD was organized by concerned citizens of Duval County to help landowners and users to conserve land, water, forests, wildlife and related natural resources.
The education programs that the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District help to build and fund are some of the most important projects we do all year! Not only do these educational programs attract interested students through extra curricular school programs, but they also fulfill the mission of the board by educating future generations of stewards to our land. Through the Speech & Poster Contest, Envirothon, Photo Contest and Land Judging we are able to annually reach hundreds of students in K-12 with conservation information. Additionally, we recognize teachers through our Conservation Teacher of the Year award.
Speech and Poster Contest
Joe B. Forshee, Jr. Speech & Poster Contest
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 6-8 PM at the Duval County Extension
Each year a topic is chosen nationally for a speech and poster contest, and adopted locally. Students from the 6th to 12th grade qualify to compete at the local, regional, and state competitions. The winner in Duval County will win a CASH PRIZE and will be chosen to compete in the Area II statewide competition which includes Santa Fe, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levey, Taylor, Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Marion, Putnam, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns and Volusia County.
The 2022 Speech & Poster Contest theme is “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life” Learn More
Teaching resources and entry/intent to compete forms from our national partners will be available in the coming weeks. We will make the information available on our website and post it on Facebook.
Resources:
Slide Deck with Theme Information & Instructions
Curriculum
Flyer (coming soon)
Entry Forms (coming soon)
Speech Contest Details:
Intent to compete forms are due no later than March 1, 2022. The speech should address this year's theme and shall be no more than 5 - 7 minutes long. Two points will be deducted for every 15 seconds less than or more than the allotted time. Research is required to develop the speech. A standard score sheet (coming soon) is to be used for all contest levels. Students will be judged on content and speaking skills as described in the score sheet. Visual aids may not be used. Contestants shall not identify themselves, their school or hometown.
Categories:
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Local Prizes:
First place - $ 50.00
Second place - $ 30.00
Third place - $ 20.00
Poster Contest Details:
Deadline to submit posters is March 1, 2022. Posters and entry forms can be dropped off at the Duval County Extension Office during their regular operating hours and must be addressed to "DSWCD". Entry must be contestant's original creation and may not be traced from photographs or other artists' published works. Poster size must be between 8.5” x 11” and 22” x 28”. Any media may be used to create a FLAT poster (ex. paint, crayons, stickers, etc.). Don’t use staples, tacks, tape or fluorescent-colored posters. Don’t have your parent or others draw your poster for you to color in. Don’t try to include too many ideas. A single message (the theme) – clearly illustrated – is most effective.
Judging Criteria:
Conservation message—50 percent, Visual effectiveness—30 percent, Originality—10 percent, Universal appeal—10 percent
Categories:
K-Grade 1, Grades 2-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-9, Grades 10-12
Local Prizes:
First place - $ 40.00 for each Category
Second place - $ 20.00 for each Category
Third place - $ 10.00 for each Category
Contact:
Allen L. Moore at [email protected] or 904-465-0678
Ashantae Green at [email protected]
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 6-8 PM at the Duval County Extension
Each year a topic is chosen nationally for a speech and poster contest, and adopted locally. Students from the 6th to 12th grade qualify to compete at the local, regional, and state competitions. The winner in Duval County will win a CASH PRIZE and will be chosen to compete in the Area II statewide competition which includes Santa Fe, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levey, Taylor, Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Marion, Putnam, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns and Volusia County.
The 2022 Speech & Poster Contest theme is “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life” Learn More
Teaching resources and entry/intent to compete forms from our national partners will be available in the coming weeks. We will make the information available on our website and post it on Facebook.
Resources:
Slide Deck with Theme Information & Instructions
Curriculum
Flyer (coming soon)
Entry Forms (coming soon)
Speech Contest Details:
Intent to compete forms are due no later than March 1, 2022. The speech should address this year's theme and shall be no more than 5 - 7 minutes long. Two points will be deducted for every 15 seconds less than or more than the allotted time. Research is required to develop the speech. A standard score sheet (coming soon) is to be used for all contest levels. Students will be judged on content and speaking skills as described in the score sheet. Visual aids may not be used. Contestants shall not identify themselves, their school or hometown.
Categories:
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Local Prizes:
First place - $ 50.00
Second place - $ 30.00
Third place - $ 20.00
Poster Contest Details:
Deadline to submit posters is March 1, 2022. Posters and entry forms can be dropped off at the Duval County Extension Office during their regular operating hours and must be addressed to "DSWCD". Entry must be contestant's original creation and may not be traced from photographs or other artists' published works. Poster size must be between 8.5” x 11” and 22” x 28”. Any media may be used to create a FLAT poster (ex. paint, crayons, stickers, etc.). Don’t use staples, tacks, tape or fluorescent-colored posters. Don’t have your parent or others draw your poster for you to color in. Don’t try to include too many ideas. A single message (the theme) – clearly illustrated – is most effective.
Judging Criteria:
Conservation message—50 percent, Visual effectiveness—30 percent, Originality—10 percent, Universal appeal—10 percent
Categories:
K-Grade 1, Grades 2-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-9, Grades 10-12
Local Prizes:
First place - $ 40.00 for each Category
Second place - $ 20.00 for each Category
Third place - $ 10.00 for each Category
Contact:
Allen L. Moore at [email protected] or 904-465-0678
Ashantae Green at [email protected]
Envirothon
Fred B. Miller, Jr. Regional Envirothon
Thursday, March 3, 8:00 AM – 12:45 PM at Tree Hill Nature Center The Envirothon competition is open to students from the 9th to 12th grade. Five students compete as a team and answer questions about forestry, soils, aquatics, wildlife, and a current issue. The 2022 Envirothon current environmental issue is "Waste to Resources". The winners of the local competitions compete at the Florida Envirothon, and the state winner competes at the National Envirothon. Teaching resources from our national partners will be available in the coming weeks. Consider following our Envirothon Facebook page for updates. We will also make the information available on our website. We may have Envirothon resource professionals available to conduct workshops prior to the competition. Details to come. Resources: 2022 Envirothon Brochure Regional Envirothon Website Envirothon Registration Form Contact: Joyce Miller, Coordinator at [email protected] or 410-688-2365 Allen L. Moore at [email protected] or 904-465-0678 |
|
Photo Contest
Each year in November, Duval County participates in the NACD Photo Contest. Our local contest is open to all Duval County residents. Winners are eligible for a cash prize. The winner in Duval County will be chosen to compete in the National level contest.
Contestants are allowed to enter as many as five photos each year that each fit into one of the following four categories:
Photos are judged on technical merit and composition. On technical merit, photos will be judged on whether they are well-framed, properly exposed, and sharp/clear. On composition, the photos will be judged on imagination and creativity. One winner will be selected for each category and age division (youth or adult). More details along with photo release and entry forms will be available at our website in November 2022.
Contact:
Tiffany Bess at [email protected]
Contestants are allowed to enter as many as five photos each year that each fit into one of the following four categories:
- Conservation Practices
- Close-up Conservation
- Conservation in Action
- Agriculture and Conservation Across America
Photos are judged on technical merit and composition. On technical merit, photos will be judged on whether they are well-framed, properly exposed, and sharp/clear. On composition, the photos will be judged on imagination and creativity. One winner will be selected for each category and age division (youth or adult). More details along with photo release and entry forms will be available at our website in November 2022.
Contact:
Tiffany Bess at [email protected]
Land Judging
Land Judging is an exciting contest where Middle and High School students observe and interpret the soil in order to make wise land use decisions. This competition is for 4-H and FFA students between the ages of 14 and 18, or schools with affiliated programs. Students can compete at the county, state, and national levels. The students judge the physical properties of the soil, identify improved land management practices for various types of farming, and judge the limitations of the soil for home sites. The winning teams from local contests are eligible to compete at the State Contest, and the state winners compete at the National Contest in Oklahoma each year.
Resources:
Florida Land Judging
Engaging Youth in the Environment with the Florida Land Judging Contest (UF/IFAS)
Contact:
Joshua Rosenberg at [email protected]
Allen L. Moore at [email protected] or 904-465-0678
Resources:
Florida Land Judging
Engaging Youth in the Environment with the Florida Land Judging Contest (UF/IFAS)
Contact:
Joshua Rosenberg at [email protected]
Allen L. Moore at [email protected] or 904-465-0678
Conservation Teacher of the Year
Each year, we recognize the outstanding educators who are preparing the next generation for conservation. The Conservation Teacher of the Year award honors the work of any K-12 teacher in Duval County (public, private or charter) who has been involved in both education and action during the past year. The ideal candidate is a principled conservationist who educates students on natural resource conservation practices and initiates student action in their community or school in order to improve quality of life for Duval County residents. Teachers must have participated in one of DSWCD’s programs during the last year to be considered for recognition. Application deadline is usually in the month of June.
Learn more about how to apply for the Conservation Teacher of the Year award.
Learn more about how to apply for the Conservation Teacher of the Year award.