Conservation District Activities in Arkansas
319 Non Point Source (NPS) Grants: Since 1990, the Arkansas
Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) has been the lead agency for the
Arkansas Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Program. ANRC
has oversight over the NPS Grant Program, and funds various 319 projects
related to nonpoint source pollution management. Additional information
can be found at
AACD Essay Scholarship Contest: Districts provide the student
with the winning essay a cash award, after they complete one college
semester in conservation related field of study at an accredited college
in Arkansas. In addition, the winning essay of the Benton County AACD
Essay Scholarship Contest is entered into the NW Area AACD Scholarship
Contest, which provides a $500.00 cash award. Other districts provide
similar opportunities for students in their local school district.
AR Game and Fish Fine Revenue: Each county’s quorum
court allocates all fine money to their school districts and
conservation districts according to
. The AGFC and the ADE do not have
a role in determining which programs are funded. School and conservation
district officials must contact their local quorum court with requests
for fine revenue and suggestions concerning the best method of
distributing funding. Additional information at
Beaver Eradication Program: The "Beaver Eradication Program"
created under Act 630 of 1993 and coordinated by the Department of
Finance and Administration and county governments is now the
"Conservation District Beaver Control Program" administered by the
Arkansas Natural Resources Commission through Arkansas’ conservation
districts. Additional information at
or contact your local conservation district.
Board Meeting Minutes: Regular Monthly Conservation District
Board Minutes are mailed and emailed to Arkansas Legislators, County
Judge, Quorum Court JP’s, ANRC, AACD, and Past District Directors: This
program is most valuable in connecting with leaders at the state and
local level.
Canon Envirothon: The
was established as a competitive, multi-disciplinary,
problem-solving, natural resource event for high school students to
challenge their environmental knowledge. The Envirothon program
encourages students to pursue environmental knowledge actively.
Thousands of high school students have met the challenge about the
natural world and their environment. They are wiser and more concerned
about their environment because of their education and competition. To
learn more about the Canon Envirothon, please explore the information
and resources available on their website at
.
Conservation District Director Training: Arkansas Natural
Resources Commission Title II: Rules Governing Conservation
Districts, Section 210.8 and 211.16 require that all conservation
district directors complete the Commission’s approved training course.
Conservation Poster Contest: Teachers with the Best of Show
winners in each grade category receive a $25.00 cash award. In addition,
each student that enters a poster receives a ribbon.
Floodplain Management: To view the official Code, follow the
links on the State of Arkansas Website:
Chapter 268. Flood Loss Prevention. Sections
14-268-101. Legislative determination.
. Certain
Districts have Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM’s) on site to assist
the public.
Nut Sales: Fundraisers for conservation districts are
available at some participating districts during season.
Nutrient Management Program: The Nutrient Management Program
oversees a licensing and certification program for consultants,
compliance activities and education and training programs necessary to
implement the law.
District personnel are available to write nutrient management plans.
Partnerships: Some Conservation Districts partner with other
local county agencies to sponsor awards for good stewards of the land;
conduct conservation education workshops; District Director Dinners to
provide opportunities for local, county and state official’s to hear
updates on conservation district activities in their districts.
Rental Equipment: Districts have available for rent to the
public; No-till drill, pasture sprayers and renovators, aerators,
Bermuda planters, litter spreader, feed bunks, spring and freeze proof
watering tanks, electric fencing kit. Districts also sell Topo Maps,
Plat Books, flagging stakes and tape.
Soil and Water Stewardship Materials: Materials are purchased
annually for outreach programs and Earth Day Celebration. In 1955, the
National Association of Conservation Districts began a national program
to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. Stewardship Week is
officially celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday
in May. It is one of the world's largest conservation-related
observances.
State Poultry Registration: Conservation District’s provides
district personnel to assist with the mandatory Annual State Poultry
Registration. Poultry Producers can register at their local USDA Field
Service Center Office anytime between January 1 and March 31 of each
year.
Nutrient Management Program.
Tax Incentives: The purpose of this program is to encourage
water users to invest in (1) the construction of impoundments to use
available surface water, thereby reducing their dependence on ground
water; (2) the conversion from ground water use to surface water use;
and (3) land leveling to reduce agricultural irrigation water use. Tax
credits may pass through partnerships, corporations, etc.
An application must be approved by your county conservation district,
then submitted to the Commission and approved before a taxpayer may
begin construction of a project and claim credits. All projects must be
maintained for a minimum of 10 years following issuance of the
Certificate of Completion, or benefits will be subject to recapture. An
application fee of three percent of the total approved tax credit must
be paid, and there is a minimum fee of $100 and a maximum fee of $1,500.
Additional information at
Technical Service Provider Program (TSP): Conservation
Districts provide district personnel to assist the District
Conservationist w/USDA, NRCS Programs.
Technical Service Providers
Tree Sales: Districts provide tree seedlings to landowners
during season.
Water Quality Technician Program: Program provides district
personnel to write Nutrient Management Plans for producers to apply
nutrients at the recommended rate.
Nutrient Management Plan Writing.
Youth Conservation Workshop: Conservation Districts invite you
to nominate participants to the Arkansas Association of Conservation
Districts (AACD) – Youth Conservation Workshop.
Youth Activities.
|
