Watauga County Soil and Water:
Educational Programs

The North Carolina Association of Conservation Districts has established guidelines and rules for education programming which are followed in every county. The levels and types of programming vary from county to county. Following are programs offered by the Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District:

• WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS

  • All grade levels
  • Usually in June or July
  • Renewal credits
  • Hands on instruction in the field
  • Instruction by resource personnel
  • Topics include water quality, forestry, soil science, biology, agriculture, plant science, etc.

• RESOURCE CONSERVATION WORKSHOP

  • Rising Sophomores through Seniors
  • One week session
  • Late June each year
  • Students are sponsored by Watauga SWCD
  • Based at North Carolina State University
  • Students stay in dorms on university campus
  • Instruction by natural resource professionals
  • Topics include water quality, forestry, soils, biology, agriculture, etc.

• ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD DAY

  • Fifth grade
  • Held in park, on school grounds, etc.
  • Instruction by resource personnel
  • Topics include water quality, forestry, soils, plants and wildlife, etc.

• SCHOOL CONTESTS

  • Grade levels 4-8
  • Fall and early spring each year
  • Awards at the school, county, area and state levels
  • Topics relate to soil and water conservation
  • T-shirt: grade 4
  • Poster: grade 5
  • Essay: grade 6
  • Public Speaking: Grades 7 & 8

• ENVIROTHON

  • 5 member team
  • Middle school and high school
  • Regional and state competition
  • Early spring
  • Resource subject areas are soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics, and current environmental issues

  For more information call Donna Harmon at 264-0842.