Richland Conservation District receives State Award

The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was named the 2015 Outstanding Conservation District of the Year by the SC Association of Conservation Districts (SCACD).

“We are honored to receive this award, especially since there are many other districts in South Carolina also doing great things,” said Richland SWCD Chairman Kenny Mullis. “I feel like our accomplishments are due to the dedicated and talented individuals of the Richland District as well as our team members at the SC Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Richland County.”

The Richland SWCD was recognized Tuesday at the SCACD Legislative Dinner.

Among the many achievements distinguishing the Richland SWCD are:

·         Implementing a 319 Water Quality Improvement Grant to promote and install agricultural best management practices in the Twenty-five Mile Creek Watershed of Richland, Kershaw and Fairfield Counties

·         Coordinating regional soil health research, demonstration and outreach projects on row crop farms

·         Organizing a working group of Midlands agencies and institutions to address local farm and food system issues with a coordinated approach

·         Providing conservation-minded technical support to Richland County Council and County staff

·         Working with Richland County and other stakeholders to create the state’s first and largest mitigation bank to offset impacts of transportation projects associated with the Richland County Penny Program

·         Educating K-12 youth and teachers about the importance of conservation through workshops, classroom programming, contests, mentorship, professional development and funding

The Richland SWCD “showed exemplary dedication and ability in (its) conservation efforts, and (is) unequivocally deserving of this award,” said Diane Edwins, chair of the SCACD judging committee.

Conservation districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member boards of commissioners.  In South Carolina, conservation district boundaries conform to county boundaries, and the 46 local districts promote environmental stewardship and the wise use of natural resources across the Palmetto State.

For more information about the Richland SWCD, visit its website at www.rcgov.us/rswcd.