
Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts
HIGHLIGHTS OF PAST ANNUAL MEETINGS
Picture galleries and info from our archives




2023 STATE CONSERVATION AWARD WINNERS
Click on the award category to read about the winner
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 STATE AWARD WINNERS!
Conservation Farmer
Aaron Reeves
Collin County SWCD #535
Outstanding SWCD
Gillespie County SWCD #220
Conservation Rancher
Tretha Caddell
Lamb County SWCD #131
Conservation Teacher
Lynita Foster
Bedias Creek SWCD #428
Wildlife Conservationist
Gary Gardner
Upper Llanos SWCD #225
Friend of Conservation
Keep Big Spring Beautiful
Howard SWCD #243
Junior Essay
Blaine Dahl
Hartley SWCD #152
Senior Essay
Tabor Christanelli
Lower Pease SWCD #162
Poster K-2nd Grade
Isabella Cervantez
West Nueces-Las Moras SWCD #236
Poster 3rd-6th Grade
Emme Davila
Jackson SWCD #336

Complete Listing of all 2023 Area Winners

HIGHLIGHTS
OF THE
82nd ANNUAL MEETING OF TEXAS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT DIRECTORS
held October 24-26, 2022
at Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX

More than 550 Conservation leaders from across Texas gathered in Galveston for the State Annual Meeting of Conservation District Directors. They had the opportunity to honor conservation awards winners, learn from great speakers and network with other conservation districts and exhibitors. Bill Gray was honored as the 2022 ATSWCD President’s Award winner and Kent Batman was elected to serve as ATSWCD President. JC Mathiews was elected Vice President.
Monday Minutes, 10/31/2022
Tamara Daniel, ATSWCD Executive Director
BILL GRAY RECEIVES
2022 ATSWCD PRESIDENT'S AWARD

Bill Gray 2022 President's Award Video
Galveston 2022

Photo Gallery
Click on photos to enlarge











































SEE YOU IN GALVESTON!





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_avif,quality_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_avif,quality_auto/EVENING%20BANQUET%20TABLE%20WITH%20SOME%20OF%20DIRECTORS%20%5B109386%5D.jpg)

Scroll down to see more photos of 2021 below
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_avif,quality_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.

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.













