Becoming A Member of the Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors

The Dugdemona Soil & Water Conservation District encompasses all of Winn and Jackson Parishes and a portion of Caldwell Parish. Concerned and eligible landowners in .Jackson Parish have an opportunity to help manage and conserve the natural resources in this area by serving on the Dugdemona Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board. If the issues and programs stated in this document interest you, please call Vikkie Lafollette at (318) 628-4438.

I. Mission:

To provide leadership, education, and technical assistance through conservation planning and programs to assist all land-users in solving the needs to conserve, sustain and improve the soil, water, and other natural resources in the

Vision:
 To be recognized as the community leader by establishing partnerships
and coordination plans of action to achieve soil and water conservation.

II. Goals and Objectives:

• Establish soil and water conservation policy for the SWCD.

• Assess resource needs.

• Develop strategies to address these needs.

• Provide quality conservation education to Parish educators and school children.

• Provide land users with technical assistance.

• Develop programs to address local natural resource problems.

• Serve as a focal point for addressing local natural resource issues and coordinating various programs to help solve identified concerns.

III. Legal Authority:

Title 3, Section 1201-1219 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes defines a Soil & Water Conservation District as a governmental subdivision of the State of Louisiana, and a public body corporate and politic.

IV. Current Major Issues:

• Landowners needing technical assistance

• Surface Water Quality

• Coastal wetland loss

• Cropland erosion

• Invasive/Non-native plant species

• Urban storm water runoff

• Insufficient operating funds

V. Major Programs and Activities:

• Federal Farm Bill conservation programs

• CWA Section 319 agricultural cost-share program

• Conservation equipment rentals

• Tree seedling sales

• Approval of conservation plans

• Review of Parish planning proposals

• Conservation educational programs for Agricultural producer, school, and civic groups

• Publish SWCD newsletter

• Revise and publish annual business plan and annual report.

VI. Funding Sources:

• State government

• Local governments (Police Jury, Drainage Board)

• Local business and organization donations

• Competitive grants

• Federal grants, cooperative interagency agreements

• Tree sales and equipment rentals

• Educational workshops and seminars

VII. Expectations of SWCD Supervisors:

• Take advantage of SWCD supervisor training opportunities

• Attend board and conservation related meetings

• Participate in district programs and activities

• Serve on a LACD (Louisiana Assoc. of Conservation Districts) committee

• Be involved and responsible for SWCD program direction

• Promote soil and water conservation in the community

• Help manage SWCD staff

• Represent the SWCD in public

• Help secure financial resources

VIII. Benefits of being a SWCD Supervisor:

• Representing locals resource concerns

• Providing a voice and a service for the citizens within your SWCD

• Satisfaction of providing your time to improve the environment and sustaining local resources

• Being actively involved with assistance and educational programs

• Provide leadership in community resource conservation



For additional information call the SWCD office at 318-628-4438, or contact a current SWCD board member.