About the Conservation District
Established by the Legislature in 1939, the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (SWCC) advances locally-led natural resource conservation by cooperating with local, state, and federal entities to practice and promote soil and water stewardship. The same is done here, locally led by our 5 member volunteer board of supervisors. The District assesses conservation problems on the local level, set priorities, then coordinate and carry out appropriate programs, working hand in hand with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The District Board holds a public meeting each month. The public is permitted to attend these meetings. Call the office to find out meeting location details, asked to be put on the agenda, or other potential need. The meetings dates, times, and location are subject to change or be canceled due to lack of a legal quorum; please call to verify meeting information.
Our Mission
Since 1939, Conservation Districts and their board members have worked to connect local landowners to educational resources, conservation programs, and technical assistance for the wise use of all our natural resources.
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Surprisingly, in Alabama about 93% of forest and agricultural land is privately owned and not state or federally owned.
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Additionally, the District offers several conservation themed education programs for schools and students.
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The District offers 2 field trips a year. One for 4th grade and another for 5th grade. The Water Festival is held for 4th grades while the Urban Forestry & Conservation Fair is held for 5th grades.
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Other programs like the annual Photo Contest, Poster Contest, Litter Quitters, Career Days, Arbor Day, Earth Day, and more are held at specific times of the year. Learn more about these programs or contact our administrative coordinator for more detailed information.
History of Conservation a more in depth look
Out of the long list of nature's gifts to men, none is perhaps so utterly essential to human life as soil.
"Father of Soil Conservation," Hugh Hammond Bennett:
By 1934, 83% of Alabama land was damaged due to erosion. Conservation Districts were born out of necessity in the 1930's Dust Bowl when America's topsoil rapidly eroded. At that time, Congress declared soil conservation a national policy priority, leading to the formation of today's Conservation Districts. Today, there are nearly 3,000 local Conservation Districts thanks to the efforts of Hugh Hammond Bennett.
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By accepting a soil surveyor job through the USDA, Bennett set his career in motion quickly becoming the spokesman for soil conservation. From 1903 up to the 1920s, Bennett continued to survey, study and write his findings about the growing soil erosion issues throughout the southeastern part of the United States and abroad. By 1935, after installing several experimental stations and the successful installation of soil conservation practices, Bennett was able to persuade Congress to pass the Soil Conservation Act of 27 April 1935, which created a Soil Conservation Service at the USDA, Bennett served as its first chief until his retirement in 1951. This ultimately led to the formation of locally led conservation districts around the US in an effort to help promote these conservation methods through a network of local farmers. The Brown Creek Soil Conservation District covering parts of Anson and Union counties in North Carolina was the first district recognized, on August 4, 1937. In Alabama, state legislature was adopted in 1939 forming the state Soil and Water Conservation Committee.
< Hugh Hammond Bennett accessing some farmland.
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Soil erosion in central Alabama. >
Bennett went on to implement several different methods and practices on farmland, with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) working directly with farmers to develop Conservation Plans to better the land and enhance their farming practices, many still used today. Throughout the years, the SCS would go through a few more name changes, eventually landing upon what we now call the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Before congressional committees, Bennett employed tactics such as pouring water on a table to show the effect of rain on unprotected, bare soil. Today, we still use this demonstration to illustrate the benefits of cover crops.
Thanks to Bennett's tenacity, passion, and leadership NRCS and it's local Conservation Districts would not be where they are today. Alabama is lucky enough to have a Conservation District in every county--67 total! You can find your local district at the state website here. You can also read more in depth about what NRCS can do for you at NRCS Alabama's state website.
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Discover more about Hugh Hammond Bennett with this special YouTube series.