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The Year 2007 A Successful One for Lee County SWCD/NRCS

By Ann Miller, Lee County District Administrative Coordinator, Lee County, Alabama

(l-r):  Gaines Whatley and Robert E. (Ed) Gullatte Jr. (Lee County Soil & Water Conservation District's (LCSWCD) Supervisors),

Olin Sims (President of the National Association of Conservation Districts), Anne Miller (LCSWCD District Administrative Coordinator) and Graig Sizemore (President of the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts)

 

 Lee County Group nominated for award.

The Lee County NRCS/SWCD had a successful year in 2007.  We sponsored and participated in many activities to spread the conservation news to Lee County, all the while providing an active cost-share program to Lee County landowners.  Some of the activities included:

  • A Teacher Workshop with Alabama Water Watch and Discovering Alabama’s Living Streams for 16 educators.
  • Earth Day Celebrations – NRCS District Conservationist Jason Gardner, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician Rhoda Kerr, SWCD Administrative Coordinator Anne Miller, and NRCS Earth Team Volunteers presented the EnviroScape.   Project Leader Bob Beaty and Farm Bill Technical Assistant Josh Elliott used the NRCS soils truck to take soil samples and discuss the soil.     
    • Auburn Schools 2nd and 3rd Grades – 520 students
    • Smiths Station Elementary – 850 students
    • Loachapoka Elementary – 78 students
    • Beulah Elementary – 45 students
  • Annual Lee County Water Festival educated almost two thousand 4th graders.  The local SWCD provided some funds and the community partners provided additional funds and 200 volunteers.
  • At the Annual Stewardship Breakfast we presented awards for Lee County Poster and Essay Contests.  Students, parents, teachers, principals, school superintendents, and government officials attended.  Lee County Earth Team Volunteers provided breakfast and helped set-up and clean-up for the event.
  • The NRCS Lee County Earth Team Volunteers contributed over 2,600 volunteer hours in 2007.
  • We completed a EPA Watershed Assessment required every 5 years.
  • The Alabama Forestry Commission, Lee County Division worked on cost-share projects and assisted with the Lee County Water Festival.
  • RC&D Grants
    • Schools in Lee County in cooperation with NRCS and Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES):
      • Smiths Station High School Biology/Ecology Lab grant was matched by the school system.
      • Wrights Mill Road Elementary Nature Playground grant was matched by the school system and with volunteer parents and community assistance.
      • Wacoochee Jr. High Outdoor Conservation Center grant was matched by community assistance and volunteer parents.
    • Lee County Community in cooperation with NRCS and ACES:
      • Pilot Club International Project Lifesavers –  a seed grant (Pilot Club of Lee County raised the additional funds) that started the program in Lee County.  Project Lifesavers, with the Lee County Sheriffs Department, can find persons wearing wrist transmitters with individually programmed frequencies.  Mobile Locator System can go anywhere instantly with only a call to 911.   It is highly recommended for those who may wander, such as persons with Autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia, Mental Retardation, or any Brain-Related Disorder
      • Saugahatchee Beekeepers grant. – worked with Auburn University entomologist  to study and under stand the “colony collapse disorder" (CCD) that has affected 28 states with 2.4 million commercial colonies lost since fall.  So far Alabama has managed to stay off the list of affected areas.
      • Jr. Master Garden Program grant – worked with local schools, 4H and garden clubs to enrich the ongoing conservation and gardening interests.
      • Greater Peace Community Nature Trail grant to Andrew Fort of Boy Scouts of America Troop 373 as a part of his Eagle Scout Leadership project to improve the existing community nature trail by implementing conservation and environmental displays and adding two entrance ramps for easy access for handicapped persons and adding benches for the younger and older trail observers.
      • Lee County Community Garden grant, located on the Auburn University Campus provides food for the Lee County Food Bank.  Local schools make field trips to the garden.  They learn about the garden and produce and they help work in the garden.
 

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