Mission Statement

The mission of the Clay Soil & Water Conservation District is to ensure a quality urban and rural environment through education, protection, restoration and improvements of our soil, water, and natural resources.

Clay Soil & Water Conservation District provides the following services to our constituents and community:

• Assist land owners in their efforts to secure financial assistance through Farm Bill Programs to implement conservation practices
• Conservation education, programs and information
• Assist growers with development of low volume irrigation systems
• Develop and update irrigation water management plans
• Soil surveys and historical maps
• Local government advice and assistance
• Youth education
• Invasive plant control

About Us

The soil and water conservation district is governed by five elected supervisors. These supervisors are nonpartisan and cover the entire district. The five districts within the conservation district align with the Clay County Commission Districts. Supervisors are elected in a general election for a 4-year term. Vacancies are filled by appointment by the remaining supervisors until the next regular election. Supervisors do not receive payment for their services, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and supervisors have broad powers related to developing and implementing soil and water conservation practices on private lands. Florida Statutes 582.20 and 582.21 specify the special powers granted to each SWCD. The Clay Soil and Water Conservation District was formed on October 24, 1949, through a Petition/State Soil Conservation Board Resolution and General Law under Chapter 582 of the Florida statutes.

The board holds regular meetings on the second Friday of every month at 2463 State Road 16 W, Green Cove Springs, FL at 9:00 am. Special meetings will be posted on this page. The following regular meeting dates for 2024 are as follows: August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8, December 13.

Public Record Requests

Public record requests for meeting minutes, agendas, and other information can be made via clay.fl.swcd@gmail.com or by calling 904-284-6355.

Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District is not supported with State or Federal funding. There is funding from the County as well as some support services they graciously are providing.

We ask that you consider supporting the Clay Soil and Water Conservation District as a volunteer, providing expertise or with financial support.

Please check back often to see what fundraising activities we may have to raise money for the Clay County Soil and Water District activities.

The Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors a number of programs that serve the Clay County communities. Through community support and fundraising efforts, the district is working to build the number of services we are able to offer.

The annual Envirothon, Poster & Speech Contest and Land Judging are some of the educational programs with which we are currently involved.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these programs, in having a district supervisor work with you on a project or in offering your support for our work, please contact:

The Regional Envirothon is a problem-solving, natural resource education program for high school students. It is a unique outdoor competition that requires teamwork and the application of knowledge in the five areas listed below:

• Aquatics – water ecology, water chemistry, water quality, and aquatic life.
• Current Environmental Issues – annually selected topics such as energy sources, ground water, Gulf of Mexico environmental concerns or other current issues.
• Forestry – tree identification, tree ecology, insects, and timber.
• Soils – classification, formation, soil properties, profiles, and site suitability.
• Wildlife – habitat, identification, food, disease, and management.

Each team consists of five students. Schools can enter more than one team, but no more than six teams. The five-member teams are led by an advisor in studying prepared resource materials in the five areas including a selected current environmental issues.

Schools can enter more than one team, but no more than six teams. During the competition, the students will rotate to the five testing stations.The Regional Envirothon is sponsored by the Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Soil and Water Conservation Districts, bringing together soil scientists, wildlife experts, foresters, park and recreational leaders, and other environmental specialists to challenge students to learn about our natural resources.

The annual National Conservation Poster Contest provides kindergarten through twelfth-grade students an opportunity to convey their thoughts about soil, water, and related natural resource issues through art. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state conservation associations, auxiliaries and agencies.

Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors an annual speech contest, which is designed to develop leadership and stimulate interest in conserving natural resources.

Land Judging

Land Judging is an exciting 4-H and FFA contest in which Middle and High School students in observe and interpret the soil in order to make wise land use decisions.

We are always seeking volunteers to assist with our conservation efforts. Please contact Donna Berry, our District Aide, at clay.fl.swcd@gmail.com or 904-284-6355 for more information, or visit the Clay County Volunteer Opportunities website.