Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts
82nd ANNUAL MEETING OF TEXAS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT DIRECTORS
October 24-26, 2022
Moody Gardens
1 Hope Blvd
Galveston, TX 77554
September 22, 2022
Conservation District Directors:
The 2022 Annual State Meeting is less than 40 days away and I hope that you are making plans to attend. I am looking forward to seeing all of you in Galveston. I believe a great meeting has been planned. I am reaching out to you to make sure you are aware of all that will be happening in Galveston. Prior to the meeting we will email a link to all the districts to download or print (which ever you prefer) all the Association materials for the meeting. This will include the resolutions, business session materials and much more.
Monday evening please join us for our Texas Luau. Once again, we will have our gun raffle as well as the Draw Down game and some fun gift baskets representing each area of the state for auction. If you would like to donate an item for the auction it would be greatly appreciated. I have also heard rumors of a “Best Dressed” contest so be sure to pack your favorite Hawaiian shirt.
On Tuesday at lunch, we have the honor of recognizing all our Conservation Award winners. I always look forward to recognizing these great stewards of the land. On Tuesday afternoon you will be electing a new Association President, as I have reached the end of my term. It has been a pleasure and a honor to serve as President of the Association and I look forward to working with the new president. We have nine
resolutions up for consideration this year.
These are just a few of the key points for the meeting. I hope that you will join me in Galveston in making this the best State Meeting possible.
Sincerely,
Rick Schilling, President
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the most important conservation meeting of the year in Texas. Great speakers and breakout sessions, and the opportunity to network with other local conservation district directors, NRCS and State Staff. Start shopping now for a new Hawaiian shirt and get ready for the fun on Monday night. See all details for registration and the Texas Luau below.
. . . Monday Minutes 8/8/22
Tamara Daniel, ATSWCD Executive Director
SEE YOU IN GALVESTON!
Hotel Room Block, Booking, Wait List, Cancellations, Credit Cards
Pre-registration for Annual Meeting
Auxiliary Tour, Conservation Tour
Room Block Information **IMPORTANT NOTES** - The booking link and reservation phones will OPEN AT 8:30 AM on 8/1 - - We ask that on August 1st that you attempt to make a reservation by calling 409-683-1299 or online at https://www.reseze.net/servlet/SendPage?hotelid=1722&skipfirstpage=true&page=3900 The block is likely to fill up quickly for Sunday, but please try to secure reservations for the days that they still have available. - WAIT LIST: Moody Gardens will be managing the wait list. The block is likely to fill up quickly for Sunday, but please try to secure reservations for the days that they still have available and be put on the wait list for the nights they are sold out of. You can be added to the wait list over the phone 409-683-1299. You will be asked for a name, check-in/out dates and a phone number. Once you are to move off of the wait list Moody Gardens will call you and get a credit card number to hold the reservation. - ROOM LIMIT: There is a limit of booking (2) rooms per name. They will need individual names to book more than two rooms. - CANCELLATION POLICY: The cancellation policy is 72 hours days prior to the check in date or the credit card on file will be charged the full amount. - CREDIT CART AUTHORIZATION FORM: If the name on the credit card does not match the name on the reservation, they will be requiring a credit card authorization form that requires a signature. They will assist you with this over the phone. Block Name: Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Room Rate: $145 If you have any questions please feel free to contact Molly Christensen, mchristensen@tsswcb.texas.gov or by phone at 254-228-7881.
BACK TOGETHER AGAIN IN 2021
Highlights of the 81st Annual Meeting
of Texas SWCD District Directors
October 4-6, 2021
at Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, TX
October 11, 2021 -- Last week conservation leaders from across Texas gathered in Round Rock, for the 81st Annual State Meeting of District Directors. Matt Rush provided the Keynote address on Tuesday morning to a packed room. Kenneth McAlister with the Wichita SWCD received the President’s Award. During the Business Session on Tuesday afternoon the delegates approved all five resolutions and approved the amendments to the By Laws. The Association also recognized Bill Gray for his service to the Association as he has retired from the Board. Roy Thompson was elected to represent Area 1 on the Board. Rick Schilling was elected to serve another term as President and Kent Batman as Vice President.
Monday Minutes 10/11/21
Tamara Daniel, ATSWCD Executive Director
![UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_mini_35dc[109380].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b43bc1_68410307acc340039a5517819836ec27~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_50,y_21,w_305,h_395/fill/w_233,h_302,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_mini_35dc%5B109380%5D.jpg)
![EVENING BANQUET TABLE WITH SOME OF DIRECTORS [109386].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b43bc1_bd687adb3bae487880944b2031096380~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_401,h_301,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/EVENING%20BANQUET%20TABLE%20WITH%20SOME%20OF%20DIRECTORS%20%5B109386%5D.jpg)
KENNETH McALISTER RECEIVES THE
2021 ATSWCD PRESIDENT'S AWARD
![KENNETH MCALISTER PIC 1 FROM TAMARA IMG_2595[109303].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b43bc1_edc38b706c364528a264e20583ee6ca8~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_237,w_473,h_648/fill/w_473,h_648,al_c,q_80,enc_auto/KENNETH%20MCALISTER%20PIC%201%20FROM%20TAMARA%20IMG_2595%5B109303%5D.jpg)
ATSWCD PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Kenneth McAlister, left, receives the prestigious 2021 President's Award from ATSWCD President Rick Schilling. The annual award honors outstanding achievements by a Texas conservationist and is the highest honor bestowed by ATSWCD. McAlister is a Director of Wichita SWCD #538.
Congratulations to the 2021 State and
Area Award Winners!
OUTSTANDING CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Area 1
Cochran SWCD #149
Area 2
Llano County SWCD #233
Area 3
(N/A)
Area 4
(N/A)
State Winner
Area 5
Parker County SWCD #558
More pictures and info from the 81st Annual Meeting Oct 4-6, 2021
The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, October 2021 -- TSSWCB recently hosted the 81st Annual Meeting of Texas Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Directors. The meeting was held at Kalahari Resort in Round Rock on October 4-6, 2021.
With over 500 people in attendance, the meeting provided SWCD Directors, employees, and conservation partners from across the state the opportunity to address a wide variety of agricultural and conservation issues in Texas as well as learning opportunities.
During the three-day event, a variety of committee meetings were held to discuss issues and highlight important areas to target during the upcoming year. Matt Rush of Levelland, addressed the group during the general
session as the keynote speaker.
The 2021 Conservation Award Winners were recognized during the Awards Luncheon for their great work in preserving and protecting the natural resources of Texas. The 2021 Award Winners are as follows, Parker County SWCD #558, Outstanding SWCD, Todd Westerfeld of Moody, Conservation Farmer, Broken W Partnership of Odem, Conservation Rancher, Stephen Deiss of Victoria County, Friend of Conservation, Sherrlyn Welch of Howard County, Conservation Teacher, Quinn Ranch of McCulloch County, Wildlife Conservationist, Cadence De La Rosa of Riviera, Poster Contest Winner, Blaine Dahl of Channing, Jr. Essay Contest Winner, Brianna Latray of Limestone Falls, Sr. Essay Contest Winner.
Workshops were held on Tuesday afternoon covering topics ranging from eminent domain, wild pigs, hemp production in Texas, policy initiatives and a successful SWCD panel.
On Wednesday, participants took part in a conservation tour at Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) Exotic Wildlife Ranch and Recycling Center. The Exotic Wildlife Game Ranch is used primarily as a breeding and conservation operation. The operation is home to more than 2,000 animals from over 100 different species. Dozens of these breeds are considered endangered; some can only thrive in captivity. Many inhabitants from six of the seven continents—including species from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America—safely co-exist on the preserve.
