Covington County - Successful Environmental Education Program

By Tammy Pickard, Covington County SWCD Education Specialist, Andalusia, Alabama

Covington County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held their 2007 Youth Event on May 10, 2007. Students from nine Covington County schools were honored for their achievements in several county-wide conservation poster and essay contests. Parents and teachers were invited to join them for a night of fun, food, and fellowship.

Tammy Pickard, Covington County SWCD Education Specialist, encouraged the third grade students to show off science knowledge by challenging the parents, teachers, and other adults to a game of “Are You Smarter Than A Third Grader?” After many laughs and expressions of amazement, the adults realized that students can learn even when having fun. Steve Yelverton, NRCS District Conservationist, followed up with a presentation describing the different programs offered by the Covington County SWCD/NRCS.

Covington County’s Education Program provides exciting environmental hands-on learning activities for all seven elementary schools in the county. The 2007 Education Program served 6,105 students during the school year. This program offers 19 different, fun-filled activities that are designed to meet the Alabama Course of Study requirements. Success of the program is measured by squeals and grins as the students learn about earthworms, fish, bats, owls, longleaf pines, salamanders, and microscopic soil and water organisms.

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