WALTON COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK FISCAL YEAR 2014
(July 1, 2013 June 30, 2014)
1. Expend District funds to carry out a comprehensive conservation education program for students and adults in Walton County to introduce them to the concept of soil and water conservation.
A. Employ staff and temporary personnel to meet the goals and objectives of the district.
B. Carry out the District program "Take Pride in Walton"
1) Publish news articles
2) Work with community leaders to inform them of conservation programs.
3) Acquire information from Walton County citizens on conservation issues that they would like to have addressed.
C. Maintain and improve the Julian E. Brown Environmental Study Area at Matthews Park as a facility for instruction and study by both youths and adults. Use funding from grants and other sources to improve displays at the Study Area. Provide study guides to teachers and youth who visit the park.
D. Administer the Julian Emerson Brown Conservation Scholarship Fund and select a qualified Walton County student as the recipient of the college scholarship.
E. Contact each Walton County school at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year for the purpose of providing direct assistance in the operation and maintenance of environmental instruction.
F. Sponsor attendance of two Walton County students to the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop in June 2013.
G. Promote public understanding for the need for soil and water stewardship by purchasing and distributing conservation education materials and programs during Soil Stewardship Week.

H. Arrange publicity and expend funds for public outreach to increase the public's awareness of the need for soil and water conservation.
I. Promote conservation at local farmers market with printed materials and demonstrations.
2. Sponsor and expend District funds for demonstrations and tours to promote water quality and best management practices to farmers and other land users. Partner with other organizations to host soil and water conservation tours. Host the following workshops: water management, pasture management, equipment maintenance, and tax issues.
3. Expend District funds to conduct special programs to recognize individuals and groups for their contributions to soil and water conservation in Walton County. These programs will enhance the District's goal of promoting conservation ethics to Walton County citizens.
A. Conduct Annual Meeting in November to recognize an outstanding Walton County district cooperator and to report the District's accomplishments.
4. Maintain membership in and pay membership dues to the National Association of Conservation Districts, the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors, the National Conservation District Employee Association, and the Oconee River Resource Conservation and Development Council; and to cooperate with these groups and other districts to jointly promote soil and water conservation goals.
5. Purchase supplies, pay communication costs, and purchase equipment needed to conduct the District's goal of protecting soil and water resources.
6. Provide supervisors with financial resources to improve their knowledge of conservation issues, and assist supervisors with financial resources to individually promote the programs of the District.
7. Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support District activities and programs.
A. Seek fifty Affiliate Members at $50 membership each to support Walton County Conservation District's activities.
B. Request approximately $14,000 in funding from the Walton County Board of Commissioners to carry out district programs.
8. Manage and direct funding received from grants, donations, and other sources which assist the District in the promotion of soil and water conservation methods.

9. Promote dialogue with elected representatives on the county, state and federal levels, and expend funds for meeting expenses to keep these leaders informed of conservation concerns and programs.
A. Plan and conduct meetings with Walton County Commissioners and other representatives to inform them of District activities and program of work.
10. Provide for oversight of District funds by the annual review of expenditures and income, and provide a detailed financial report to the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission at the end of each fiscal year.
11. Promote community service by District Supervisors, which seeks to provide a positive image of the Walton County District and its programs.
A. Supervisors will assist in Walton County's "Keep Walton Beautiful" program by assisting in the "Adopt-a-Highway" and "Adopt-a-Stream" programs.
B. Supervisors will arrange and conduct civic club programs to explain the need of the conservation program in Walton County.
C. Conduct annual maintenance program on district signs and other promotional displays.
12. Fulfill the District's responsibility under the Georgia Erosion and Sediment Control Act.
A. Review and ratify erosion and sediment control reports on a monthly basis.
B. Periodically review Walton County's, the City of Monroe's, the City of Social Circle's and the City of Loganville's Erosion and Sediment Control programs and also for the City of Between and Town of Good Hope.
C. Expend District funds, when necessary, to provide training programs for developers and land users.
13. The District will work to provide area engineers and land surveyors with webbased soil surveys.
14. The District will support the annual Agribusiness Day for Walton County.
15. The District fully supports the conservation easement program and encourages the Walton County Commissioners to support the program also.

16. The District prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.
17. Promote community forestry within Walton County by partnering with Oconee River RC&D Council and other partnering agencies.
18. Employ individuals to assist with district educational activities at the study area, field days, inventory, etc., as needed.
19. Promote information on the state water management plan.
20. Work with local officials to repair dam and other maintenance issues at Matthews Park.