Planning & Development: Soil and Water Conservation
FY 2023 Program Summary & Performance Measures
MISSION
The Cabarrus Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) encourages the informed and responsible stewardship of the land and all of its natural resources. Our customized local programs assist and educate landowners, land users, responsible institutions, students and various groups in the community with understanding, planning, application and maintenance of sound conservation and land use practices.
OVERVIEW
CSWCD was chartered as a single-county sub-unit of state government on August 28, 1963. Under the local guidance of an elected board, natural resource stewardship opportunities in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County are identified and prioritized. CSWCD conservation plans and environmental education/outreach programs address stewardship of soil, water, animals, plants and air resources. Successful conservation of these natural resources in addition to energy and human resources provides for food and fiber. Additionally, conservation maintains the green infrastructure essential for environmental services including clean air and water that benefit all residents and visitors of Cabarrus County. CSWCD works under an operational agreement in partnership with the Federal Natural Resources Conservation Service, state division of Soil & Water Conservation in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Cabarrus County and local municipal governments. The resulting comprehensive natural resources conservation program reflects a unique blend of voluntary conservation, financial initiatives and federal, state and local mandates. County and private funds leverage federal and state funds as well as in-kind contributions.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Virtual and in-person conservation classes were taught in the county schools during the 2021-2022 school year. Professional Development continued for over 110 educators in the county and state through virtual curriculum offerings of Food, Land and People, and in-person Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, and Leopold Education Project curricula. CSWCD also gave natural resource presentations and classes to over 2000 students and teachers in the county.
- We continued to have many local students participating in CSWCD’s annual conservation contests and Envirothon competition.
- CSWCD’s message of natural resource management reached county individuals in person and virtually despite the continued COVID-19 pandemic.
- CSWCD received funding for a 148 acre conservation easements in Eastern Cabarrus County.
- Cabarrus Soil & Water Conservation District was given three awards by the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts: The district was awarded the District of the Year award for its educational endeavors; District Conservation teacher of the year, Ashleigh Miller of Mt. Pleasant Middle School, went on to become the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ Secondary Education Conservation teacher of the year; and former long-time supervisor Ned Hudson was inducted into the NC Soil and Water Conservation Hall of Fame.
CHALLENGES & TRENDS
- The continued restrictions on visitors to schools due to COVID-19 caused CSWCD to continue spreading the conservation message virtually in some instances. Other teachers invited the educator to come into the classroom. Due to constantly changing schedules, many teachers were not able to utilize the district’s offered programs. Emphasis continued to provide professional develop for the teachers and other educators in our county and across the state. CSWCD continues to work closely with the district administration in Cabarrus County, Kannapolis City and private and charter schools, to get the information out to the teachers as efficiently as possible.
- A decrease in the Natural Resource Conservation Service presence in our field office has resulted in less federal programs being implemented.
- When working with our water quality program one of our challenges is that the population of farmers is aging out. In many cases after a farmer retires no one will take their place, often leading to the land being sold and developed. Smaller farms are also having difficulty staying viable while larger farms are expanding.
- Due to rapid urbanization in the county large tracts of land are becoming obsolete for farmland protection.
- Working closely with the City of Concord in developing a new city park next to a conservation easement held by the district. The timing of this project is slower than anticipated.
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS & CHANGES
- This department’s budget has increased due to salary and benefit adjustments as well as inflationary adjustments.
- A Resource Conservation Easement Specialist will be added to review, record and monitor easement for programs that preserve county land.
Budget Summary
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
FY 2023 numbers are projections