Karyn Taylor, a third grade teacher at Pontiac Elementary School, has been named Richland County’s Conservation Teacher of the Year by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).  This annual award recognizes Richland County educators who have exhibited an exceptional commitment to conservation education.

The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has awarded a $330,000 Section 319 grant to Richland County to promote water quality improvements in the Twenty-five Mile Creek Watershed.  Twenty-five Mile Creek is a tributary of the Wateree River, and the watershed includes lands in northeastern Richland, western Kershaw, and southern Fairfield Counties.

Twelve students and three schools will receive awards in this year’s Conservation Poster Contest sponsored by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District.  Student posters addressed the topic “Local Heroes—Your Hardworking Pollinators,” raising awareness about the important roles pollinators play in agriculture, the economy, and Earth’s ecosystems.

Growers and natural resource professionals are invited to join us for this free field day at City Roots on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 from 8:30am-11:30am.  Space is limited to the first 45 registrants and pre-registration is required.  Call 803-576-2080 or e-mail fisherc@rcgov.us to register. 

Students at four schools will have hands-on environmental experiences this spring with support from Conservation Education Mini-Grants from the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD).  These awards provide up to $250.00 for schoolyard conservation projects.