Helping Protect the Natural Resources of Wake County, NC

Month: December 2013

$5K Conservation College Scholarship – Apply by Jan. 31

2014 Careers In Conservation Scholarship
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS JANUARY 31ST, 2014

The North Carolina Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation’s Scholarship Program was established to increase the number of qualified people committed to working in the field of natural resource management or other closely related fields that directly support the programs offered by local soil and water conservation districts in North Carolina. Scholarship recipients will be those who are currently pursuing or have firm plans to pursue a college course of study leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource management or other closely related fields.

Basic Criteria and Stipulations

  • The Foundation plans to award merit based scholarships up to the individual scholarship amount of $5,000 per school year renewable at the discretion of the Scholarship Selection Committee. Subsequent funding awards are contingent upon the successful and timely academic progression carried out by the recipient.
  • The recipient’s declared major should line up with the following courses of study; agronomy, agricultural engineering, animal science, forestry, natural resource conservation or management, plant science, soil science, water management, water quality or other closely related degree programs.
  • To be eligible, the recipient must be a resident of North Carolina, attend a college in North Carolina and have achieved academic excellence in their high school or in their completed undergraduate studies. During the selection process, much consideration will be given to superior academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, honors and achievements obtained.
  • Applicant eligibility will be influenced by the amount of any other scholarships previously awarded to the individual.
  • Priority will be given to students who have advanced in their undergraduate studies to demonstrate a clear commitment to achieving a Bachelor of Science degree in a course of study consistent with skill sets needed for delivering programs offered through local soil and water conservation districts, associated state and federal agencies and the applicable private sector. Students who have completed at least 50% of their required college degree credit hours will receive additional consideration.
  • Applicants currently enrolled in college are required to submit a current certified transcript of all college courses completed by the date of the application. Transcripts are to be mailed directly from the college to the Foundation office. Applications will not be reviewed until a transcript is received.
  • Interviews will be held with qualifying applicants before a final decision is made by the Scholarship Selection Committee.
  • Prior to awarding the scholarship, the recipient must be classified as a full-time college student. Funds will be deposited with the college’s financial aid office for payment of eligible expenses incurred.
  • Current applications can be downloaded from the Foundation’s website www.ncsoilwater.org

Annual Wake SWCD Conservation Poster Contest Winners

This year’s “The Living Soil” Top Ten poster contest winners represent four elementary schools in Wake County.
The 5th graders’ challenge was to research the many kinds of organisms that live in the soil ecosystem and illustrate ways people can protect precious topsoil from erosion, compaction, and chemical contamination.

Over 1,125 5th graders entered the annual poster contest sponsored by Wake Soil & Water Conservation District and Novozymes Nature’s GREEN-RELEAF Composting. The top four poster winners won cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25 (two tied for 3rd Place), and were recognized at the 2013 Conservation Awards Celebration sponsored by Friends of Wake Soil and Water Conservation District.

This spring the Top Ten winners will tour Novozymes Nature’s GREEN-RELEAF Composting facility to see compost being made on a large scale to be used as a soil conditioner by homes and businesses, and in compost socks that slow and filter stormwater runoff to reduce erosion.

Posters with the best balance of accurate science and original artwork won 10 Wake County students top honors
FARMINGTON WOODS Elementary in Cary

  • Luke Boehling, art teacher Brandy Smith (2nd place)

GREEN HOPE Elementary in Cary

  • Hill Brooks, teacher Michele Johnson (1st place)
  • Colin Fleming, teacher Laura Zimmerman
  • AnukshaRam Madhan, teacher Alice Nagy

HUNTER Elementary in Raleigh

  • Jacob Patrick Ford, teacher Kara LaBella
  • Phenix Pace, teacher Hezekiah Wardlow
  • Caroline Sherer, teacher Carol Wooten
  • Carmen Stevenson, teacher Carol Wooten (3rd place tie)

JONES DAIRY Elementary in Wake Forest

  • Aiden Holczer, teacher Jason Booser (3rd place tie)
  • Rikhil Fellner, teacher Cherry Jackson

Wake SWCD Conservation Award Winners

On December 5th, at the NC Farm Bureau building, we toasted the recipients of the 48th Annual Wake Conservation Awards.

Thank you to the many attendees and special guests who took part, and special thanks to the sponsors.

Agricultural Economic Development Award
The Growers Market of Fuquay-Varina

The Dan Wilkinson WRAL Conservation Communication Award
Wake County 10% Campaign

Conservation Poster Winners
Top Ten Students look for another post coming out soon with pictures!

Envirothon Mentor of the Year

Dr. David Lindbo

Big Sweep Excellence Award
City of Raleigh Parks & Recreation

Community Conservation Award
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle

BC Raynor Friend of the District Award
AgCarolina Farm Credit

Conservation Farm Family of the Year
Patrick & Thurman R. Johnson

The 48th Annual Wake Conservation Awards was sponsored by:

  • Friends of Wake Soil and Water Conservation District
  • John M. Alexander, Jr.
  • Eastside Septic Cleaning Service
  • Dr. B.C. Raynor Family Dentistry
  • NC Farm BureauPinter Construction & Development Inc.
  • Novozymes Nature’s GREEN-RELEAF Composting
  • Gordon Smith

Thank you to our Sponsors


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