Wake Soil and Water Conservation District is committed to advancing the environmental literacy of Wake County citizens through its environmental education, grant and volunteer programs for Wake County citizens.
STUDENT PROGRAMS
Envirothon: An academic competition that challenges 5-member middle and high school teams on their knowledge in five natural resource areas: soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and current environmental issues. A great way to strengthen students’ naturalist intelligence!
Resource Conservation Workshop: A week-long "Conservation Camp" at NCSU that covers natural resources management for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Wake District awards one or more full scholarships to Wake County students!
5th-Grade Conservation Poster Contest: A poster contest that challenges 5th-grade students to artistically illustrate their science knowledge on the urban water cycle, soil & water conservation, wetlands, groundwater, stormwater or watershed management. Prizes include ribbons, certificates, and cash awards!
Service Learning Projects: As a community partner, Wake District can assist student groups of all grade levels with developing and implementing service learning projects that improve and benefit the environment!
Junior Earth Team Volunteers: Wake District can engage elementary, middle and high school students in environmental stewardship projects such as litter cleanups, maintaining school gardens, and peer teaching EE lessons. Projects subject to availability and the whims of nature!
ADULT PROGRAMS
Watershed Stewardship Schools: A *new* certification program where Wake County schools commit to taking 10 actions to learn about and improve their local watershed. Upon successful completion, schools earn the official “Watershed Stewardship School” title by Wake District!
Workshops: Professional development workshops that train educators, youth leaders and other adults in environmental education curricula such as Project Food, Land & People, Project WET, WOW – Wonders of Wetlands, and others. Education credit available!
Auxiliary Grants: Grants up to $500 for environmental education projects from the NC Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts. One grant per year awarded to the piedmont region. Applications due Dec. 1st!
Outdoor Environmental Learning Center Grants: Cost-share grants awarded by the NC Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation. OELC grants require a 50% cost-share match on projects that build outdoor classroom infrastructure such as seating, amphitheater, nature trail, raised garden beds, etc.
For information on environmental education, grant and volunteer programs, contact the Wake District’s Environmental Educator at 919-250-1050.