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Education & OutreachFor further information about any education programs described, please contact NNSWCD Education Coordinator Faye Andrashko at 804 333-3525, ext. 113, or faye.andrashko@va.nacdnet.net.
Ag DayWhat: Agriculture Appreciation Day for third-graders 
The NNSWCD held its annual Agriculture Appreciation Day for all Northern Neck third-graders on April 2, 2008, outdoors under the oaks at the Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Warsaw. Some 250 Northern Neck students participated. The event, through hands-on exhibits and SOL-based presentations on poultry and bees, vegetables, forestry, grains, soils, and conservation, gave students a firsthand look at agriculture and its importance to all of us and our daily lives. Based upon teacher and students comments, we know that the day provided valuable learning experiences that the students truly enjoyed.
Envirothon is an internationally recognized environmental competition for 9th through 12th graders in Virginia and across the US and Canada. The Virginia Envirothon is a natural resources competition for high school students. Students who participate learn stewardship and management concepts and work to solve real and hypothetical environmental problems. The program is field oriented, community based and gives students an opportunity to work with natural resource professionals. Envirothon began in 1979 and is now the largest nonathletic environmental high school competition that challenges students to put the information that they have learned to solving real-life environmental problems. Participating teams of five students compete first in a local competition, then may advance to a regional event, with one team from each region advancing to State. The winner from the State competition goes on to the national event, sponsored by Canon, Inc. In 2006, the Virginia Team won the Canon Envirothon Competition out of 52 teams. Each team member received a $5,000 college scholarship and other prizes. Participation in Envirothon encourages life skills like team-building, critical thinking, decision making, problem solving and communications skills. Envirothon involves training in five natural resource categories: Soils, Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife, and a Special Topic. The 2008 Special Topic is "Recreational Impacts on Natural Resources." Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Scholarship AwardsEach year the NNSWCD locally promotes the Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Educational Foundation (VASWCDEF) Scholarship Awards Program. The Program supports the education of Virginia citizens in technical fields involving natural resource conservation and environmental protection through financial support to students majoring in or showing a strong desire to major in a course curriculum related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies. Four (4) $1000 scholarships are awarded throughout the state each year. Individual applicants must be full-time students enrolled in, or who have applied to a college freshman level curriculum. Applicants must reside or attend school in one of the four counties served by the NNSWCD: Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond or Westmoreland. Applicants must document a class ranking in the top 20% of his or her graduating class, a 3.0 or greater Grade Point Average or appropriate equivalent of individual scholastic achievement. Youth Conservation Camp
For the past 30 years, the Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) has sponsored a weeklong summer conservation camp for Virginia high school students on the campus of Virginia Tech. The program brings together about 90 interested students for a week of learning about Virginia's natural resources from conservation professionals and faculty of Virginia Tech. Most of the instruction is hands-on and outdoors. Each year the NNSWCD accepts applications to sponsor two campers to the weeklong session. Applicants must be in grades 9-12 during the academic school year and cannot have previously attended. In 2008, the total cost per student is $550.00. The 2008 Youth Conservation Camp will take place July 13-19, 2008, at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. Holiday Lake Forestry CampIn March, the NNSWCD promotes the Holiday Lake Forestry Camp to schools, the public, and partnering agencies by offering to cover the registration fee for a prospective applicant from the Northern Neck area. Applicants 13-16 years of age are considered after nomination by a teachers, forestry and wildlife professionals, Soil & Water Districts, 4-H and Scout leaders, etc. Prospective campers should have a desire to explore and experience activities in forestry and wildlife-related careers, or have an interest in hands-on activities in resource conservation. The 2008 Camp took place June 16 - 21, 2008, at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. School ProgramsThe Enviroscape Watershed model--Nonpoint Source--with riparian buffer and groundwater kits demonstrate what constitutes a watershed, types of nonpoint source pollution, and how to prevent such pollution. This educational resource is valuable for preschool through adult audiences. Rain Barrel WorkshopsHow many gallons of water run off your roof in a 1-inch rain? Believe it or not, from a 40-by-20 foot roof you can collect up to 500 gallons of water!!! If you want to conserve water or even lower water costs, a rain barrel is just one step in promoting environmental conservation practices of wastewater management. A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from your rooftop to use later for things like lawn and garden watering and pet washing. A barrel will save water for use outdoors during peak summer months, and it will save paying a higher water bill or using your well and electricity. Future Rain Barrel WorkshopsTo be determined - please check back |
Northern Neck Soil & Water Conservation District | P.O. Box 220 | 5559 Richmond Road | Warsaw, VA 22572 | 804.333.3525, ext. 102
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