District Board
SUPERVISORS (appointed and elected) Talmage Layton (Chair); Mark DeWitt (Vice-Chair); David Harris (Financial Officer); Anjali Boyd (Secreatry/Treasurer); Ken Browning (Supervisor)
ASSOCIATE SUPERVISORS- Melissa Rooney; Sheena Mathews; Becky Emmons; Jan Cromartie
Staff
Eddie Culberson (Director, Durham Soil and Water); Lisa Marochak (Senior Administrative/Education Coordinator, Durham Soil and Water); Sherry Scully (Ag Development Coordinator, Durham Soil and Water); Saad Masood (Agri-business and Environmental Services Manager, Durham Soil and Water); Elicia Senff (Education Contractor) [part time], Durham Soil and Water); Diana Irizarry (Soil Conservationist, USDA/NRCS); Gabby Rodriguez (USDA/NRCS); Ginell Rogers (Executive Director, Piedmont Conservation Council); and Emma Jablonski (Project Manager, Piedmont Conservation Council)
DURHAM SWCD MISSION STATEMENT
To conserve, enhance and promote the natural resources of Durham County by providing technical assistance, environmental education information and economic incentives to County citizens and by exhibiting a diversified program to meet its changing needs.
The District is a governmental subdivision of the State; a public body organized in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 139 of the General Statutes of North Carolina and is subject to the powers and restrictions as outlined in G. S. 139.
Under this law, the District has the responsibility of conserving soil, water, and related natural resources within the District boundary. The District board is made up of five Supervisors (two appointed and three elected) and six Associate Supervisors.
DURHAM SOIL AND WATER WELCOMES TWO NEW EMPLOYEES
Saad Masood joined Durham Soil and Water as Agri-Business and Environmental Services Manager in October 2021. Saad received his bachelor’s in environmental engineering and graphic communications from NC State University. He has previous experience in performing remediation in the private sector and with the Division of Soil and Water. He will be working to implement green infrastructure in Durham County to improve water quality on residential property through the Community Conservation Assistance Program. When not working, you can find Saad at a local coffee shop or on a tennis court.
My name is Dustin Brewer, and I recently started with Durham County Soil and Water Department as the Natural Resources Coordinator in May 2022. I graduated from North Carolina State University in December 2021, knowing I wanted to do something in agriculture to help farmers in any way I could. Growing up on a farm made me realize I wanted a career in agriculture, whether it be the actual farming or business side of it. The two programs I oversee are the Ag Cost Share Program (ACSP) and the Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AgWRAP), which you will learn about. I look forward to many years to come here in Durham County, benefiting agriculture in every way possible!
STREAM RESTORATION AND STORMWATER PROJECTS
GROVEPARK STREAM RESTORATION PROJECT
Environmental, Social, and Economical Benefits
The Soil and Water Conservation District is working in conjunction with Grove Park Homeowners Association (HOA) and Piedmont Conservation Council (PCC) to conduct a stream restoration project located on the HOA property in eastern Durham. The plans include 6,000 linear feet of stream restoration on the sediment impaired Unnamed Tributary (UT) to Little Lick Creek at the headwaters of the Falls Lake.
This project will benefit the public in multiple ways: environmentally, socially, and economically. Additionally, the project will have localized and regional environmental benefits. UT to Little Lick Creek flow into the 303(d) listed Little Lick Creek and Falls Lake. A few environmental benefits are: 1) Create geomorphically stable conditions through the project area, 2) Improve habitat quality in a riffle dominated stream by adding pool/riffle sequences and expanding the floodplain while improving overall ecosystem functionality, 3) Improve water quality within the project area through reduction of bank erosion and reductions in nutrient and sediment loads, 4) Improve groundwater infiltration, 5) Stabilize streambanks through installation of in-stream structures and establishing a riparian buffer consisting of native plant species, 6) Improve aquatic and terrestrial habitat through increased substrate and in-stream cover, additional woody debris, and reduced water temperature by increasing stream shading, and restored terrestrial habitat, 7) incorporate a 13.5 acre conservation easement around the project.
As part the social benefits of this restoration project, DSWCD will be collaborating with five partners (NCDWR, The Land and Water Fund, Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG), Piedmont Conservation Council (PCC), and Grove Park Homeowners Association). A few social benefits are as follows: 1) DSWCD will be working with a local high school to educate and propagate riparian plants and assist with installing the plants on the completed project. 2) DSWCD conducts yearly tours with local and state officials and members of the community to discuss how they are trying to create healthy watersheds through stream restoration and stormwater BMPs. 3) The stream channel is currently incised and a safety risk. 4) A local Boy Scout will have an opportunity to earn a merit badge by building a kiosk. 5) DSWCD hopes this project will create a community change in attitude and behavior towards their resources, neighbors, and the Earth as a whole.
UTs to Little Lick Creek project has many economic benefits. One is a step toward a healthy watershed in the 303(d) listed Little Lick Creek and Falls Lake Watersheds. Improving water quality by reducing erosion, sediment, and nutrients inherently leads to less money that is needed to clean downstream drinking water. Another benefit is the reduction or avoidance of loss of property and existing infrastructure (sewer, gas, electric lines). Many times, homeowners or municipalities try to control altered streams with large rock protection, which tends to be an ongoing maintenance issue. Stabilizing and moving the channel away from infrastructure and property lines will reduce the need for continual maintenance. Thirdly, stabilizing stream channels tends to increase property values. A new, stable stream versus an incised unstable channel with trees falling in tends not to be as aesthetically pleasing and in return reduces property values. Another benefit is that the contractor will frequent local businesses (restaurants, hotels, quarries, etc.) during the construction of the project. Lastly, students at the local high school will build their experience and job resumes through the school’s agribusiness program.
This past year the District secured a total of 1.4 million in grant funds and has begun the design and permitting phases of the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and should conclude by the end of the year.
RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL STORMWATER PROJECT
The District has plans underway to renovate the campus' stormwater treatment basins, engage Riverside Students in plant propagation, and provide the Durham Public School system with an alternative to potable water. Riverside was built prior to stormwater regulation. As a result, the campus drains more than 40 acres with little or no stormwater controls.
Riverside has 2 sub-watersheds that drain to the back of the property (north side of parcels) that adjoins the Eno River State Park (ERSP). Stormwater runoff from rooftops, parking lots, and athletic fields discharge into two old, breached sediment basins. Both basins are only a few hundred feet from the ERSP property line. These basins are in need of significant rehabilitation in order to retrofit them as functional stormwater BMPs. With the lack of stormwater controls, the stormwater runoff from the campus can flow directly into the ERSP before entering the Eno River. This project will improve water quality and reduce water quantity from entering the Eno River and ERSP by detaining stormwater runoff, reusing detained water on athletic fields, and gaining infiltration into local groundwater. This project also has community benefits such as educating students and teachers about stormwater BMPs, acting as an outdoor classroom, providing a local Boy Scout an opportunity to earn a merit badge for building a kiosk, and providing opportunities for local students to grow and install the wetland plants for the project.
The District has partnered with NCSU to conduct a stormwater study on the project. Both organizations feel this will be a good and very relevant stormwater study at this site. The plan is to maintain the small pond as a typical stormwater pond, just making necessary maintenance and repairs (e.g., remove tress from the embankment, change the trash rack out, so it doesn't clog with debris, etc.) and to convert the larger pond to a stormwater wetland. The study will determine if there is a water quality benefit to converting existing dilapidated ponds to wetlands. This is a relevant question given the hundreds, if not thousands, of stormwater ponds in N.C. and beyond that are in or near the same situation as these two ponds. In addition, the students at Riverside will be growing, planting, and maintaining the vegetation within these two basins.
This project will capture, treat, and reuse the 1-1.5" of rainfall during storm events in order to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment and will also incorporate a 3.5-acre conservation easement around the BMPs. DSWCD hopes this project will create a community change in attitude and behavior towards their resources, neighbors, & the Earth as a whole. The project is being funded by The Land and Water Fund ($392k) and the Division of Water Resources ($200k). The project's construction is scheduled for next year.
HYDRILLA UPDATE
The Durham Soil and Water Conservation District is representing Durham County to combat hydrilla in the Eno River. Since 2015, Durham County is one of five entities participating in these efforts. Additionally, the City of Durham, Orange County, Town of Hillsborough and DNCR are participating in this effort. Last year the Eno River Hydrilla Management (ERHM) Task Force decided to conduct another vegetation and tuber survey during the 2021 growing season. This monitoring effort allowed them to evaluate how the river has responded to another year of no treatment as well as inform them how to best set up the treatment for 2022. The vegetation survey of the river was conducted from the confluence of the West and East Fork Eno rivers to Old Oxford Road (see attached map below). In addition to the vegetation survey, a tuber survey was conducted by NCSU. These activities were included in the 2021 work-plan for the Aquatic Weed Control Program. The work-plan was approved by the NC Aquatic Weed Council. The ERHM Task Force announced that another round of treatment began on June 27th of this year. Their hope is to completely eradicate hydrilla from the Eno River.
THE AGRICULTURE COST SHARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ACSP)
The Agriculture Cost Share Assistance Program (ACSP) is a voluntary program for qualifying farmers and agricultural landowners to address natural resource concerns on the land and nonpoint source pollution from agricultural activities. The program provides technical, educational, and financial assistance for the installation of conservation best management practices to address water quality issues found on the farm. The ACSP has been putting conservation on the ground across NC since the mid-1980’s. Here in Durham County, it is administered by the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District.
The program is 100% voluntary on the part of the producer/landowner to help them improve the natural resources (air, soil, plant, animal, and water) on their property by utilizing/installing conservation BMPs. Participants can be reimbursed up to 75% of a predetermined average cost for each BMP installed. The applicant is responsible for the remaining 25% of the costs. In some situations, new or limited resource farmers can be eligible for up to 90% cost share.
The Durham County Agriculture Cost Share Assistance Program (ACSP) received $42,043 from state appropriations for the conservation BMPs in fiscal year 2022. Of the state appropriated funds, 85% were allocated to local Durham County producers/landowners for the following conservation BMPs: crop residue management, cover crop, and one grassed waterway. The BMPs will mitigate or prevent future losses of nutrients and soil from the farms & nearby streams, thereby improving overall water quality in Durham County. Estimated reductions expected once the BMPs are installed are 3,025.8 pounds per year of Nitrogen saved, 28,333.5 pounds per year of Phosphorus saved and 969.32 tons per year of Soil saved.
The District staff will be working closely with these producers over the next couple of years to provide technical assistance during the installation of the BMPs. Once completed, the District will monitor the BMPs for 10 years to ensure their function and continued use. On April 18, 2022, one supervisor and five district staff visited seven ACSP sites. During the spot check it was observed that five contracts were in compliance, one contract was out of compliance, and one needed maintenance.
NC AGRICULTURAL WATER RESOURCES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (AgWRAP)
Established in 2012, the NC Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AgWRAP) is available to assist the Durham County agriculture community with water resource needs. Instead of being water quality driven like ACSP, the AgWRAP program is strictly water quantity based to help address water resource concerns and needs on farms. AgWRAP is intended to: identify opportunities to increase water use efficiency, availability, and storage, implement best management practices (BMPs) to conserve and protect water resources, increase water use efficiency, and increase water storage and availability for agricultural purposes.
The state legislated appropriation for AgWRAP is considerably smaller than ACSP, therefore the District allocation is much smaller than the ACSP. In FY 2022 the Durham District received $15,500 and it was used for two water supply wells. One contract was allocated to a new/beginning farmer to provide safe irrigation water to 2+ acres of trees, produce and flowers. The other was allocated to a limited resource farmer to provide a safe and cost-effective source of water to irrigate crops.
Similar to the NC Ag Cost Share Program, once an AgWRAP contract has been signed and approved the producer has 2 to 3 years to complete the installation of all BMPs.
AgWRAP SPOT CHECKS
On April 18, 2022, one supervisor and five district staff visited three AgWRAP sites. During the spot check it was observed that all three contracts were still in compliance.
WATERSHED
The Durham Local Advisory Committee met on March 22, 2022 for the annual review of crop data and discussed the Local Nutrient Control Strategy as outlined by the Neuse Nutrient Management Strategy. Durham farmers reported 580 acres of corn, 685 acres of soybeans, 1,124 acres of tall fescue, 51 acres orchard grass, 272 acres of wheat, 134 acres of tobacco, 20 acres of pumpkins, 10 acres of strawberries, as well as other crops and produce totaling 3,008 acres of crop land in crop year 2021. The Nitrogen Loss Estimate Worksheet (NLEW) that was compiled has indicated a 79% nitrogen loss reduction.
THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is wrapping up another year of conservation programs signup. During FY2022, nine applications were approved under the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and one under Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) in Durham County.
Practices under the approved EQIP applications include a high tunnel system, livestock exclusion from streams and pasture renovation with prescribed grazing. The CSP application approved was under the Non-Industrial Private Forest fund pool with conservation practices such as tree planting and prescribed burning. With these many applications, NRCS in Durham County requested $110,000 total in funding, but unfortunately, not all applications were approved. Still, we were able to obligate close to $92,000!
EQIP has been very competitive for High Tunnels applications. In the past, we only had the EQIP High Tunnel System Initiative for such conservation practice. This year, there was a new initiative announced geared towards Urban Ag, and we were able to fund all SHT applications located within the priority project areas identified by this initiative.
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation. Whether you want to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, we can custom design a CSP plan to help you meet those goals through enhancement practices. First, the land must be evaluated for eligibility to assess the current conservation level, then we rank the applications. Those applicants selected for funding receive a base annual payment every year for five years (5-year contract).In addition, they will also receive payments for the practice(s) and enhancement(s) implemented during the length of the contract.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
COMMUNITY CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CCAP)
The Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) is a voluntary program that provides landowners with technical assistance and cost-share reimbursement to install BMPs on urban and suburban land. On-site consultations are provided to residents to address erosion, drainage, and water quality concerns along with evaluating those BMPS suitable for a site. Staff also host community outreach meetings with homeowner’s associations and local groups to discuss water quality improvement. BMPs available through CCAP include rain gardens, grass swales, cisterns, critical area plantings, impervious surface conversion, and streambank stabilization. The primary mission of CCAP is to reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients from reaching our streams to improve water quality and aquatic habitat.
In FY19, Durham Soil and Water District received $30,000 from City of Durham and $100,000 from EPA. The purpose of these funding is to implement BMPs. During FY22, Durham Soil and Water staff were pleased to conduct outreach efforts and site visits to encumber and expend these funds. The majority of BMPs installed were in designated priority areas, with the goal of assisting historically underserved communities in Durham. The City of Durham and Durham Soil and Water Conservation District collaboration effort is a renewal of the partnership that began with the City of Durham funds in FY14. Such funds are vital to the success of the Community Conservation Assistance Program in Durham!
BIONOMIC EDUCATION TRAINING CENTER (BETC)
The BETC Program was created in 2010 as a pilot program to teach students about the growing needs, demands and technological developments in agri-science, green industries, and green infrastructure. The Program enhances middle and high school education by actively engaging students in hands-on implementation, activities, and research, as well as the development of critical thinking skills. The Program seeks to improve STEM literacy for students by providing teachers with curriculum and training to advance responsible student behaviors toward the environment by engaging them in water quality projects (e.g. rain gardens) that address how to mitigate urban storm water runoff that threatens our water quality.
SOUTHEAST SUSTAINAINABLE COMMUNITIES FUND (SSCF)
FY22 was the second year of a two-year grant from the Southeast Sustainable Communities Fund (SSCF). Totaling $300,000, this grant involves a cooperative effort between the Durham County Soil & Water Conservation District (DSWCD), City of Durham, Rebuilding Together of the Triangle (RTT), Durham Public Schools, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association (ECWA), and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. The primary goals of this partnership are to address climate change by reducing stormwater runoff, streambank erosion, and flooding in low-income neighborhoods in the Ellerbe Creek Watershed of Durham and improve energy and water efficiency in these same neighborhoods. An important secondary goal is to provide disadvantaged high school students with an opportunity to learn job skills in the field of green infrastructure and expand BETC program.
Under SSCF, DSWD with the help of students and teachers from Durham Public Schools, 13 stormwater BMPs were installed at 10 locations. DSWCD used $39,734 in matching funds to help implement these projects. Five teachers and 50 students participated in the installation of these practices. Additionally, gutters were installed on three residential properties to improve drainage.
IMPAIRED STREAM IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (ISIP)
The Impaired Stream Improvement Program (ISIP) seeks to implement conservation best management practices on impaired streams in low income areas. The selected projects target stream sites where the amount of sediment and nutrients entering the stream can be reduced by using BMPs. Several different conservation BMPs can be utilized in Durham County to improve the health of these urban streams, including streambank stabilization, critical area planting, rain gardens, and riparian buffers.
ISIP provides landowners who self-certify as low income with 100% cost-share for BMP installations on their property in cases where water quality concerns are identified. A ‘Limited Resource Self-Certification’ form has been created and updated for use with this program based on the FY 2019 Income Limits for Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).
During fiscal year 2022, the District entered into five contracts with qualifying landowners. The contracts have a 5-year maintenance requirement that the landowners must abide by for all installed practices, beginning once construction is completed. The Durham District contracted with CFB Contracting, LLC -a certified, insured environmental contractor- to implement the best management practices designed by Durham SWCD staff for a total cost of $15,713.
AG DEVELOPMENT
FY22 Agricultural Economic Development Grant Program
The Durham Board of County Commissioners allocated $75,000 towards this cost share grant program for FY2022. This program aids in financial support for farmers, especially those who are new and beginning or qualify as a M/WBE with Durham County, and to support nonprofits with food production and agriculture education in schools. Thirty-two applications were accepted by the program. The Ag Economic Development Committee, a nine-member committee made up of members from the farming community and ag related agencies, reviewed the applications and determined eligibility and ranking based on a predetermined set of criteria.
Out of the twenty farmers, eight non-profits and four schools that applied for these funds only 23 were approved for funds. These applications requested a total of $103,248 in grant funds with total estimated project costs at $172,463. The applicants are two years to complete the projects. The pictures below show a few projects completed within the first year of contract approval.
VIDEO LINKS to some of the past AED Grant recipients:
- Bull City Farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6rGntyOaCo
- Good Soil Gardens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzGkJY_0NHg
- Tierra Negra Farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa-0FawLqJ0
- Wolfberry Hawthorn Farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFAlemoD3hw&t=3s
- Waller Family Farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvNU4Yh9t6o&t=26s
- Tailgate Farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thnabQsU9y0
- Catawba Trail Farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Xef7iO-ms&t=256s
FENCING SCHOOL
A Fencing School was publicized to a multi-county area and held at Funny Girl Farm on May 5, 2022. Seventeen participants heard from Cooperative Extension specialists on topics like soil health, weed identification, rotational grazing, and fencing techniques. This was a very beneficial learning experience. Lunch was sponsored by the Farmland Protection Advisory Board.
FARMLAND PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARD
BREAKFAST SERIES
On February 23rd and March 24th, the FPAB sponsored a Farmer’s Breakfast Series and provided information to the community on topics of interest. The first breakfast included two expert speakers that discussed Fire Ants in NC: what they are and how to manage them and the Spotted Lantern Fly and other Invasive Species of NC. Fifty-seven people attended this event that was held in-person with an option to join online. The March 24th meeting was also held in a hybrid format and entertained with presentations by Durham County Planning Department on the Durham City/County Comprehensive Plan and by Triangle Land Conservancy on The Good Ground Initiative. Thirty-seven attended the second breakfast that allowed a lot of time for questions and discussion.
VOLUNTARY AG DISTRICT (VAD) PROGRAM
The FPAB has administered the VAD Program for a long time in Durham County. In FY 2022, 408 acres were added to the program by eligible landowners. The program currently has 8,277 acres enrolled throughout the county. Six VAD signs have been placed on these properties to notify the public of the land’s enrollment in the program.
PIEDMONT CONSERVATION COUNCIL (PCC)
Piedmont Conservation Council (PCC) is a regional nonprofit organization started in 1967 under the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program through the USDA. PCC’s mission is to leverage people and resources for innovative projects that promote conservation and sustainable communities. The Durham District serves on the Executive Board and the Full Council overseeing the many projects funneled through PCC.
Serving ten counties, the Council has supported Durham Soil and Water Conservation District projects such as the Grove Park Stream Restoration and Durham’s Bionomic Education Training Center over the past year.
In March 2022, PCC onboarded a new Project Manager, Emma Jablonski. She has a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management and has worked with multiple environmental nonprofits in outreach and research capacities. Emma and Executive Director, Ginell Rogers, have office space in the Durham District Office.
NCLWF Grove Park Stream Restoration
A stream restoration project with the Grove Park Homeowners Association in Durham County is underway. The project plans to restore 6,000 linear feet of stream and protect 13 acres of riparian buffer. The project will reduce sediment pollution, improve aquatic habitat, and enhance riparian areas by restoring the stream’s natural pattern, dimension, and profile. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2022 and completion is expected in March 2023.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
FY22 Durham SWCD Conservation Contest Winners and Awards Celebration
Durham SWCD held the 2022 Annual Awards Celebration at the Agriculture Building on May 6, 2022. We honored educators and students who promoted conservation education in the classroom. This year’s theme for the poster, essay, slideshow, public speaking, and computer generated poster was “Soil and Water…Yours for Life”. The theme for the bookmark contest was “LEAVES”. Below is a list of the awards presented by the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District Board Supervisors.
The 1st place winners received a yard sign, certificate, and $50. All 2nd place winners received a yard sign, certificate, and $25. Teachers of 1st place winners also received a cash reward for their participation. These contests are a statewide event sponsored by the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. All of the 1st place winners from Durham advanced to an area-level competition, where we had several Durham entries place and take prizes. Also, congratulations to Zoe Robinson, who placed 2nd at the State 7th grade Public Speaking competition, and to Sadie Grinder, who placed 2nd at the State 9th grade Computer Generated Poster Competition.
Durham Soil & Water Conservation District would like to thank all the schools, teachers and students who participated in all of our education programs!
At the 2022 Durham District Annual Awards Celebration, a local teacher was recognized for their outstanding achievement in conservation education. The 2022 Durham County Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in Secondary Education was awarded to Tyler D'Angelo, Agricultural Teacher at Carrington Middle School.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION WORKSHOP (RCW)
This year the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors sponsored four Durham County student delegates: Jack Solomon, a rising senior from Riverside High School; Tucker Gaddy, a rising senior from Middle College; James Barnes, a rising senior from Northern High School, and Jared Vanhook, a rising senior from Voyager Academy High School attended the weeklong camp.
The Resource Conservation Workshop (RCW) is a weeklong camp for students who are interested in conservation, the environment and our state’s natural resources. Held June 26-July 1, 2022 at NC State University, the RCW targeted hopeful future environmental professionals by giving students a first-hand look at a wide array of conservation careers that they may not know about. The four students heard from research scientists, foresters, biologists, wildlife experts, engineers and others about their experiences in their chosen profession. They also received information and insight into college degrees and careers in natural resource management firsthand from students at NCSU. Study locations for the workshop included N.C. State University and the University’s Lake Wheeler Research Farms, Clemmons Educational State Forest and Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
FY22 ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD DAYS
Environmental Education Coordinator, Lisa Marochak organized field day events at four participating schools during the months of October-December 2021.
Durham SWCD staff and various presenters went to Spring Valley Elementary, Merrick-Moore Elementary School, Voyager Academy Elementary, and R.N. Harris Elementary School to present to their third graders.
At each school, students were able to meet various resource professionals and participate in hands-on activities on a variety of topics such as soils, climate change, water quality, wildlife, recycling, and the always popular forest ranger demonstration show & tell. Presenters were asked to present 30 minute lessons to each of the five groups of students per day. Presenters at this year’s Field Day event included the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District, the City of Durham Water Management, the City of Durham Stormwater Services, the NC Forest Service, the US EPA and the Eno River Association. In all, the Field Day events reached 328 kids.
Other events
On March 21st Lisa Marochak participated in the EPA Science Day and was able to reach 127 2nd graders. Environmental Education Contractor Kyleene Rooks participated in the 8th grade Field Day with Carrington Middle School on April 12 at the DPS Hub Farm. She was able to reach 152 students.
ENVIROTHON
The Envirothon is a hands-on, natural science academic event that challenges and engages middle and high school students on natural resources categories of soils/land use, wildlife, forestry, aquatics, and current environmental issues. Teams come from public, private or home school groups. The Durham Soil & Water Conservation District is very active in the Envirothon program at the local, regional, state, and national levels.
During FY22, Durham staff worked with local teams during the school year to train the students hands-on skills such as how to use the soil auger, tree height measurements, tree ID, NC wildlife identification and macroinvertebrate sampling to determine water quality. These are some of the skills that resource professionals use in the field each day to perform their jobs.
On March 23, 2022, the Area IV Envirothon competition was held in person at the Warren County Armory in Warrenton. Twenty-seven teams of students from across the Piedmont attended. The numbers were down this year due to COVID, but we still had approximately 229 students, teachers, parents and volunteers in attendance at the event.
Durham was represented by four teams of high school students at the event. Of the four teams, two placed in the top seven (earning them a spot at the statewide competition in April). The Marvelous Maples team from the NC School of Science and Mathematics placed 3rd overall and the Fantastic Firs, also from the NC School of Science and Mathematics place 6th overall.
At the 2022 NC Envirothon statewide competition, April 29-30th, the two teams from Durham competed against 46 other high school teams from across NC. The Marvelous Maples team placed 3rd overall in the high school division and received the 1st place medal in the following categories: Oral Presentation, Aquatics, Forestry, and CEI. The Fantastic Firs placed 9th overall in the high school division.
Durham District staff and Supervisors were on hand at the NC Envirothon event to lend support to Durham’s teams. Durham staff and Supervisors volunteered as test graders, team guides, oral presentation prep volunteers, oral presentation judges, and more.
SAMMY SOIL
Sammy Soil is Durham Soil and Water Conservation District's mascot. He has made several appearances around Durham County and one was at the 2022 4H Clover Bug Camp. Sammy Soil has plans to visit several classrooms in FY23. Please contact staff to schedule a visit from Sammy Soil. 919-560-0558
2022 Durham and Orange SWCD Annual Pond Clinic
Ponds are a vital tool for the environment and water quality in particular. They help the deposition process occur when suspended solids, such as sediment, are present in stormwater runoff. They reduce flooding downstream by serving as a retaining basin while providing much-needed habitat for wildlife that depend on its hydrology. Ponds play an important role in keeping the city's drinking water clean. Many ponds are located in the county, particularly in the watersheds of Lake Michie and Little River Reservoirs. This BMP is one of many that landowners in these watersheds have installed over the years. The results have been lower nutrients in the drinking reservoirs, thus keeping 'chlorophyll a' below the state standard. Also, it provides more affordable water for the city of Durham.
Each year the Soil and Water Department looks at many existing ponds in the county. Citizen's pond requests can be anything from a leaking dam, a weed problem, or problems from wildlife, to name a few examples. This year the department assisted 77 citizens in the management of their reservoirs. The department also looked at several new pond sites during the year. Older ponds eventually fill in with sediment and need to be cleaned out. This is another service the department offers the landowners in the county through the Ag Cost Share Program.
On May 14th, the Durham and Orange Soil and Water Conservation Districts held their annual pond clinic at the Garrett Farm in Rougemont. We kicked the event off with a youth fishing tournament which was well attended. During this event, citizens were able to gain knowledge on topics such as pond construction, maintenance, fish production, and wildlife associated with ponds. There were 59 participants at this year's event. Most participants already owned a pond and, for the most part, were interested in managing ponds for weed control and fish production. Foster Lake and Pond Management, The Durham County Farm Bureau, Biscuitville of Mebane, Durham & Orange Soil and Water Conservation District, and NC Cooperative Extension (Orange) were the event's sponsors. The event also included a lunch (fish fry) sponsored by Durham Farm Bureau. The event's highlight was the afternoon session that included the analysis of the farm pond. This analysis was conducted by means of a shock boat exhibit. The shock boat sends an electronic current out approximately 10-15 feet from the front of the boat that momentarily stuns the fish. The fish are netted and stored in an onboard water box with oxygen being applied. After a representative sample is pulled, the fish are weighed, measured, and then released back into the water unharmed. This service will inform the owner if their pond is properly stocked with the right amount, size, and fish species.
CONSERVATION STORE
Durham Soil and Water Conservation District
Please call 919-560-0558 to be added to our email or mailing list
201 E Main St; 5th floor Durham, NC 27701 *** 919-560-0558 ***
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Created with an image by Jukov studio - "Fresh vegetables, peas, radish, tomato, carrot, beetroot on ground on farm at sunset. Freshly bunch harvest. Healthy organic food, agriculture, top view"