Natural Resources Conservation Workshop

William Prentice and Robert Steele Scholarship: Joshua Millsaps of Blue Ridge and Workshop Director Britt Parker.

The 45th annual Natural Resources Conservation Workshop was held June 25th through June 30th, 2006. It was hosted by Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Georgia. The Workshop has graduated approximately 11,287 graduates and was enjoyed by 146 Georgia high school students including 11 students from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Students came from throughout Georgia and attended the week's activities of field trips and classroom functions with opportunities to earn college scholarships at the end of the week.

Workshop Director Britt Parker said "this is an excellent opportunity for high school students interested in our environment and natural resources to learn more of their value and protection. Many students make decisions toward a career or area of study in college because of their involvement in this Workshop". Instruction and hands on activities were led by professionals from Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Georgia Mining Association. Twelve different core subjects were covered: Wildlife Law Enforcement, Wildlife Management, Soil Conservation, Backyard Conservation, Coastal Resources/Fisheries, Conservation Engineering, Understanding Soils, Rediscovering Georgia's Water Resources, Natural Resources "Hot Issues", Forest Protection, Forest Management, and Mining/Conservation.

The tuition of most students was sponsored locally by local businesses and organizations through the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. William Prentice and Robert Steel from Union County attended this year's Workshop. The students were sponsored by Union County Kiwanis and United Community Bank through the Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District. Local Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors in Union County are Jim Dobson and Jeff Payne.

Quizes were given on the last day of the workshop which covered the core subjects. Eleven college scholarships worth $16,000 with $275 cash and plaques were given to students with the highest scores. Scholarships were provided by the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Foundation, Georgia Chapter American Public Works, Georgia Mining Association, Natural Resources Conservation Workshop Scholarship Fund, the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, Middle Georgia College, the David W. Dykes Scholarship Fund, and the University of Georgia's Forestry Alumni Fund.

The District would like to congratulate Joshua Millsaps of Blue Ridge for receiving a $1000.00 scholarship to any accredited college in Georgia, provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop.