Education and outreach are important parts of the Dare Soil and Water Conservation District mission. Each year the District conducts programs and contests in the community to foster conservation practices, to understand stormwater pollution, and many other subjects. 

Poster Contest

(coming 2024-25 school year)

Envirothon

Students compete in five-member teams about subjects related to natural resources. Envirothon is open to high school and middle school students. The competition tests team knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics, and current environmental issues. The top scoring teams qualify for advancement to the statewide competition.

Participation is open to any students in middle and high school, including ecology clubs, environmental groups, girl scouts, boy scouts, Vo-Ag groups, FFA Chapters, 4-H Clubs and home study groups. Team members must be from the same school or group and an adviser is required. There may be up to two teams per school (an exception may be considered for Cape Hatteras Secondary School). For additional information, visit the NC Envirothon Program website.

Resource Conservation Workshop

A wide range of conservation topics are covered during this intensive, week long workshop. Participants have a unique opportunity to learn about resource management and compete for cash awards and scholarships. Workshop students are housed in North Carolina State University dormitories under the guidance of live-in counselors.

The Dare Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors one student selected from applications submitted by rising freshmen through seniors (graduating seniors are not eligible). Find the application and more information here or contact Dare Soil and Water.

We will accept applications at any time, but no decision will be made until the May Soil & Water Conservation Board meeting. Please email the application to Charlie Sanders with the subject line "Resource Conservation Workshop, <Student Name>". Hard copies may be mailed to Dare Soil & Water, PO Box 1000, Manteo, NC  27954 or dropped off at the Dare County Administration building in the Soil and Water office.

The Dare Soil & Water Conservation Board will choose a student and an alternate at their discretion. Please contact Charlie Sanders with any questions at the email above or at 252-475-5853.

Our 2023 student was Melanie Salinas, a rising freshman at First Flight High School. She reported an amazing experience that included everything from learning about soil and crop rotations to testing electrical current in plants, and much more. Thank you Melanie for your fantastic report!

(Left to right: Charlie Sanders, Matt Paulson, Clarence Beasley, Melanie Salinas, Lora Eddy, and Erin Fleckenstein) 

Mobile Soils Classroom

The North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Districts Mobile Soils Classroom is available to provide a variety of concept-based, learner-focused, hands-on demonstrations that will engage people of all ages in learning about soil science, soil management and conservation. Teachers interested in having the mobile classroom come to your school, contact Dare Soil and Water in advance to check availability. The classroom is shared among all the Soil and Water Districts in the eastern region of the state.

Soils Tent

The NC Foundation for Soil & Water Conservation has provided access to their soils tent for events and education. If you would like to reserve this tent for your educational/environmental event please contact Charlie Sanders at Dare Soil & Water.