FY21 APPROPRIATIONS
DISTRICT CALL TO ACTION
The annual NACD Legislative Spring Fly-in to Washington, D.C. was cancelled due to COVID-19. ATSWCD is using other options to share our support for conservation, provide updates on conservation work and support specific appropriations requests.
YOUR DISTRICT CAN HELP IN OUR EFFORTS TO EDUCATE LEGISLATORS ON FUNDING NEEDED TO CONTINUE OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Learn the facts about conservation efforts in Texas and how your SWCD can help
Click here and enter the password
Password has been provided by ATSWCD in an email to all Districts
2021 Conservation Awards Program
Award entries must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2021
"The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD), as directing sponsors of the Texas Conservation Awards Program, are pleased to join the 216 Texas soil and water conservation districts in the quest for area winners during 2021.
The purpose of the Texas Conservation Awards Program is to acknowledge, recognize and honor those who dedicate themselves and their talents to the conservation and wise use of our renewable natural resources. The conservation awards program provides competition and incentives to expand and improve conservation efforts, resource development, and increase the wise utilization of our renewable natural resources. As a result, soil and water conservation districts and both rural and urban citizens of Texas are benefited."
Video promoting the Poster and Essay Contest. Districts can share with their local schools to encourage participation in the annual Conservation Awards Program.
2021 Poster Contest
and Stewardship Week Theme
NACD’s 66th Stewardship Week
will be celebrated
April 25 – May 2, 2021
with the theme
“Healthy Forests = Healthy Communities"
NACD'S 2021 STEWARDSHIP WEEK MATERIALS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
July 6, 2020 -- NACD’s 2021 Stewardship and Education materials, celebrating the theme “Healthy Forests = Healthy Communities,” are now available for free download through NACD's Conservation Education Hub.
https://www.nacdnet.org/conservation-education-hub/
Trees and forests are critical to providing clean air and water, healthy soil, abundant wildlife habitat and valuable products we use every day. Next year's Stewardship Week, scheduled for April 25-May 2, 2021, will highlight the importance of conserving and protecting our trees and forests. These free, downloadable materials provide educators with the resources to promote stewardship and conservation in the classroom. Educating young people about the importance of trees in our daily lives is an essential part of what NACD advocates for through natural resource conservation.
. . . Tamara Daniel, ATSWCD Executive Director
Monday Minutes 7/6/2020
From NACD about the importance and impact of 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.
https://www.nacdnet.org/news-and-events/stewardship-week/
SOIL AND WATER STEWARDSHIP WEEK
APRIL 25 -- MAY 2, 2021
SWSW Media Packet
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HDJCn3lD78KFxPJz7_rKI4fYAHiThEzh?usp=sharing
NEW!
From ATSWCD Monday Minutes, January 14, 2019:
. . . The Stewardship Committee and the Association will be recognizing the Best Stewardship Week Activity at the State Meeting during the Association Business Session.
Any district participating in Stewardship Week should submit a 250-300 description of the activity along with one photo. Be sure to include the number of people reached through the activity or the community impact.
Watch for the 2021 deadline for entries, which can be emailed to atswcd@gmail.com.
NACD and Soil and Water Stewardship Week
Helpful links to NACD for SWSW materials:
https://www.nacdnet.org/news-and-events/stewardship-week/
AN OVERVIEW OF SWSW:
http://www.nacdnet.org/general-resources/stewardship-program/
FREE SWSW MATERIALS:
https://nacdnet.z2systems.com/np/clients/nacdnet/giftstore.jsp
NACD materials, workbooks, posters, placemats, litanies and more are free of charge.
Create an account and your selection will be emailed in pdf form for you to print.
The Soil and Water Stewardship Week message
is a joint effort of ATSWCD and TSSWCB,
in partnership with these
sponsoring ag and conservation agencies
FFA LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
2021 SOIL STEWARDSHIP PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST
Three scholarships will be awarded by the
Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts:
-
$3,000.00 scholarship
will be awarded to the first place contestant
-
$2,000.00 scholarship
will be awarded to the second place contestant
-
$1,000.00 scholarship
will be awarded to the third place contestant
The contest is a partnership between the Texas FFA, the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Event Chairman: Clyde Gottschalk, TSSWCB
email: cgottschalk@tsswcb.texas.gov
For more information: https://www.tsswcb.texas.gov/
FFA LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Winners of the 2020 Soil Stewardship Public Speaking Contest
(AUSTIN, Texas) – July 6, 2020 – This week, the Texas FFA Association will hold its 92nd annual state convention virtually for the very first time since its founding in 1928. The virtual convention, themed Strive, is taking place July 8 through 10 and will provide access to the specialized event to more than 139,500 members across the state of Texas from the comfort of their homes.
Winner of the 2019 Soil Stewardship
Public Speaking Contest
Hannah Norwood, member of Warren FFA, was the winner of the 2019 FFA Leadership Development Program Soil Stewardship Public Speaking Contest.
She delivered her award-winning speech during the General Session at the 79th Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors held October 28-30, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, TX.
Waiting to announce the winner of the 2019
FFA Leadership Development Program Soil Stewardship Public Speaking Contest at the 91st annual Texas FFA State Convention held in Fort Worth, July 15-19, 2019
Left to right: TSSWCB Information Specialist Clyde Gottschalk, contest chairman; ATSWCD Directors, J.C. Mathiews, District 5 and W.T. (Bill) Gray, District 1.