>Participant fact sheet for Drinking Water Clinic>Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Household Water Quality Program will host the “Roanoke Valley Drinking Water Clinic”, for citizens whose water supply comes from wells, springs or cisterns. The “Kick-Off” meetingis Monday, May 20, 2013, 6:00 p.m. at the South County Library, 6303 Merriman Road., where participants will receive instructions and the water sample kit. Due to limited space please pre-register by May 10, 2013. Roanoke Valley Drinking Water Clinic-Registration Form
Environmental Education (SOL Based)
Do you need help planning your classroom activities? If so, check out the numerous environmental education programs the Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District has to offer. Nearly all activities are free of charge and can be arranged on school grounds. Contact Kathy Smith at (540) 483-5341 ext. 117 for additional information. EE-Activity-Flyer-Spring and Summer 2013
Time is Running Out to Apply for 2013 Youth Conservation Camp Scholarships
For 36 years, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts has sponsored a week long summer conservation camp for Virginia high school students (currently enrolled in grades 9-12) on the campus of Virginia Tech. The program brings together about 70 interested students for a week of learning about Virginia’s natural resources from conservation professionals and faculty from Virginia Tech. Most of the instruction is hands-on and outdoors.Youth Conservation Camp is open to all Virginia students enrolled in High School for the current year.
Scholarship funding to cover camp registration (Sunday July 14 – July 20, 2013) is available for qualifying students residing in Franklin County, Henry County, Roanoke County or City of Roanoke through the Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District. All applications will be processed through the Youth/Scholarship Committee then their recommendations will be submitted to the Blue Ridge SWCD Board of Directors for final approval. The 2013 Youth Conservation Camp scholarship recipient(s) will be notified by mail.
To apply for 2013 Youth Conservation Camp, complete the 2013 Virginia Association of SWCD Youth Conservation Camp application and submit to Kathy Smith at the Blue Ridge Soil Water Conservation District no later than Friday, April 19, 2013. For additional information or questions contact Kathy Smith at (540) 483-5341 ext. 117 or for Henry County residents (276) 632-3164 ext. 3 2013 Camper Application_VASWCD
District BOD Announces a Special Called Meeting
The Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors has called a special meeting for Tuesday, April 9, 2013 beginning at 09:30 a.m. at the Rocky Mount U.S.D.A. Service Center’s conference room to discuss topics related to VECI cost-share projects requesting approval. Meetings are open to the public.
Septic Grant for Pigg River Watershed Ending Soon
Long term water quality monitoring has shown that several segments of the Pigg River (all within the Blue Ridge District) watershed are not meeting the state’s water quality standard for bacteria, which is based on the concentration of E.coli in the water. The Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District was awarded a Water Quality Improvement Fund grant (WQIF-2010-P23) from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to provide financial assistance typically between 50% – 75% cost-share to property owners to address failing septic systems contributing bacteria to the Pigg River. Funding is available to assist with the repair of failing septic systems (up to $3,000), the replacement of failing septic systems (up to $6,750) elimination of straight pipes, which are pipes discharging untreated sewage into the stream (up to $6,000) and for connections to public sewer to correct failing septic systems (up to $4,500). This grant will end on June 30, 2013. The deadline for the Blue Ridge SWCD to accept qualifying applications is May 24-30, 2013. All construction and reimbursements must be completed no later than June 30, 2013, in order to receive financial assistance. You may qualify for this program if you live in the Story Creek, Snow Creek or Upper Pigg River drainage area. A failing septic system is expensive to replace and it pollutes our waterways. New construction is not eligible for cost-share.
A failing septic system is expensive to replace and it pollutes our waterways. This program is an excellent opportunity for the Pigg River watershed community to improve water quality in the river while also adding to the value of their homes with important maintenance. Time is running out to participate in this program so interested property owners should contact the Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District right away at (540) 483-5341 ext. 117 and ask for Kathy Smith, Program Manager/Education Coordinator. Note: Coupon expiration has been extended until June 30, 2013.Post Card-Pigg Septic-March 2013
Check Out VA Sols for Science (K-12)
Virginia Standards of Learning for K-12
Blue Ridge SWCD Celebrates 75 Years (1938-2013)
Who Are We?
The Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia (formed under the authority of Title 21, Code of Virginia), passed by the General Assembly in 1938.
Serving the following entities:
Franklin County since 1939
Henry County since 1939
Roanoke County since 1943
City of Roanoke since 2005
Click here to view the 75 Year presentation file.
Tumbler-style Composter Workshop: May-August
We are currently offering our summer Tumbler-style Composter Workshops (don’t worry – there are additional workshops being scheduled).
It will be held in Lower Level room #18 at the Franklin Center (50 Claiborne Avenue, Rocky Mount, VA 24151).
To keep things fun and simple, we limit the number of participants to 6 at the affordable price of $75 for each participant.
In order to make these workshops possible, we want to offer a special thanks to Angle Hardware and 40 West Building Supply (both located in Rocky Mount, VA) for supplying our hardware and lumber needs.
We also want to thank Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Franklin Center for providing outreach and classroom space.
Our first Compost Workshop for the 2013 summer months will begin on Thursday, May 23, 2013, from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM at the Franklin Center, 50 Claiborne Avenue, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.
Note: If possible, please bring to make your copost barrel construction more convenient: a power hand drill along with phillips head driver bits and drill bits 1/8″, 1/4″, & 1/2″, measuring tape, & cresant wrench. These items are not necessary, however, they will serve to save time. The approximate finished size of your newly constructed tumbler-style composter will be 3.5′ x 31″ x 4.6′ so make sure you provide transportation large enough to haul your composter to it’s new home.
Register for our May 23rd class no later than 05/17/2013 by calling Kathy B. Smith, Program Manager/Education Coordinator at 540.483.5341 ext. 117. or stop by our office (1297 State Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151) and check out our Compost Prototype.
Download our Composter Workshop flyer Compost Interest Brochure-VCE-2013 RAIN BARREL WORKSHOPS