Swain Soil & Water Conservation District
SOIL AND WATER – YOUR’S FOR LIFE

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Each year the Swain Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors educational programs/contests for Swain County Students in grades K-12 concerning our natural resources. All education programs follow objectives outlined in the North Carolina Curriculum of Study. For more information about our education programs contact the Soil and Water Conservation District Office at 828.488.8803 Extension 3.

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

ENVIROSCAPE – Grades 2-8
The Enviroscape is a unique, interactive learning tool that helps people of all ages make a visual connection between land use and water quality. It is a tabletop, hands-on model that shows the origin of both point and nonpoint source pollution and how watersheds work. This model is a great way to educate students. It makes complex issues much clearer and helps students understand how to prevent water pollution in their communities. Once they see it, they do not forget it!

ENVIROTHON PROGRAM - Middle and High School Students
The Envirothon is a hands-on environmental education program for five member teams of both middle and high school students. These students study soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife and current environmental issues during the entire school year. In the spring the teams compete against other schools in North Carolina in a regional and state competition by answering both written and hands-on questions about the above mentioned topics.
The top seven teams from the Area will advance to the State Competition and the high scoring team from the State competition will receive an all expense paid trip to the National competition where some of the prizes include college scholarships.

POSTER, ESSAY, AND SPEECH CONTESTS - Grades 3-8.
Each year the Swain Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors a Poster, Essay, and Speech Contest for students in grades 3-8. Resource materials for the contest are delivered to each school in October and the district contest is held in February. The area poster competition is held during March, with the winning posters entered into the state contest.

RESOURCE CONSERVATION WORKSHOP – Rising Sophomores Through Seniors
The Resource Conservation Workshop is a week of intensive study requiring students’ attention and participation in a wide range of conservation topics. Students are housed in NCSU campus dormitories under the guidance of Live-in counselors. In order to achieve success, students should come prepared to apply themselves to meet the primary objective of this workshop - learning about natural resources and their management in today's environment. Awards are won and presented to students under several awards programs.
The District sponsors one student from applications of rising sophomores, juniors and seniors who have demonstrated an interest in natural resource conservation. Students may participate only one time in this workshop.
Contact the District for an application and more information. Application deadlines are due by May 10th of the current year.

TEACHER WORKSHOPS
The District, through partnerships with acting agencies, offers teacher workshops. Continuing Education Units, CEU’s and Environmental Education Certification Credits can be earned through these workshops. If you are interested in attending or setting up a workshop, please contact our office at 828.488.8803 ext 3.
Dates and workshops are subject to change. Contact the District for information and registration on upcoming teacher workshops.

EDUCATIONAL LINKS
Office of Environmental Education
Project Food, Land & People
Project Learning Tree
Project Wet
Project Wild