Education
Find It
- Meeting Agendas and Minutes
- 2024/2025 Meeting Schedule
- District Location and Boundaries
- Services Provided
- Activities/Education
- Cooperating Agencies
- Best Management Practices
- References
- Agency Partnership Updates
Activities and Education
Education has been recognized as the number one priority of the Soil and Water Conservation District. Continuous efforts have been made to provide education through the schools and public workshops to maintain an awareness of the individual roles we all play in conservation.
2024 Poster Contest:
“May the Forest Be With You Always”
Under the theme "May the Forest Be with You, Always," this poster guide seeks to emphasize the interconnectedness between forests, conservation, and our collective responsibility to safeguard these vital ecosystems. As conservation districts, we play a crucial role in educating the public about the importance of forest conservation.
The Education Guide provides comprehensive lessons and resources, enabling conservation districts to deliver impactful education on forest conservation. It covers a wide range of topics, including the importance of forests, forest ecosystems and biodiversity, sustainable forestry practices, and the challenges faced by our forests. With this guide, we aim to inspire the next generation to appreciate and actively participate in the conservation of our forests. By equipping educators with the necessary tools, we can empower students to become informed advocates for sustainable land management and the preservation of our natural resources.
• Research Forests online and use the information found on your poster.
• All posters must be created by an individual student, rather than a team of students
• Poster size must be 11" x 17" (NEW SIZE).
• Submission deadline: On or before Friday, March 15, 2024 – 4:00 P.M.
2024 Poster Contest Entry Form | 2024 Poster Contest Flyer Rules
The Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District Poster Contest is open to all Indian River County Students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. Students attending public, private, or home school, 4-H, or other Organizations may participate. (Individual Posters only accepted)
Envirothon
The Indian River Lagoon Envirothon is an outdoor competition that requires teamwork designed to encourage student’s interest in natural resource conservation and environmental management. An annual event where students from Counties along the Indian River Lagoon compete in their knowledge and understanding of areas critical to the Environment: The Indian River Lagoon, Aquatics, Forestry, Soil & Land Use, Wildlife and 2024 Current Issue: Renewable Energy For A Sustainable Future. Winning teams (high school) from each county may continue in competitions at state, and if successful, national levels. The 2024 Envirothon will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (beginning 8:00 A.M.); located Environmental Learning Center – 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. For more information on how you can get involved or start a team, please visit www.irlenvirothon.org.
Best Management Practices
The primary focus of this manual is to address the expansion of “Small Farms, Ranchettes, and Country Estates” in rural areas by providing relevant information that facilitates the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Small Farm, Ranchette and Country Estate Best Management Practices Manual
Workshops
Staff have assisted Indian River County Extension Service in presenting workshops on conservation issues such as irrigation water management, pond management, etc. Referrals are made to Extension Service to assist cooperators in finding all the necessary information to help them make educated decisions.
GREEN THUMB GARDEN
1. Select a clear plastic glove and write your name on it.
2. Wet 5 cotton balls. Wring out, they do not have to be soaking wet.
3. Dip cotton balls into seeds. You will want to keep track of which seed is in each finger.
4. Put cotton ball with seeds attached-into each finger of glove. Cotton ball needs to be at the tip of the finger.
5. Tape to windows, chalkboard or a refrigerator if you're at home.
6. Seeds will germinate in 3 to 5 days. Keep a plant diary.
7. Transplant after 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. Cut bottom of glove's fingers and transplant cotton ball and small plants into soil or moss.
8. After growing to full size, plants can be made into a salad.
For more fun garden activities for kids, visit kidsgardening.org
Butterfly Garden
Indian River SWCD in partnership with Natural Resources Conservation Service (N.R.C.S.) educated 2nd & 3rd grade students on gardening and the students of Citrus Elementary School in Vero Beach planted a Butterfly Garden on 5/6/16 that they will continue to maintain. Click the images to enlarge.
