Annual Report 2023 2024

Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District 1297 State Street Rocky Mount, VA 24151

B ULK R ATE US P OSTAGE P AID P ERMIT N O . 53

Agencies Assisting the Blue Ridge SWCD

Blue Ridge Land Conservancy City of Roanoke Dan River Basin Association

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Department of Conservation and Recreation

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Division of Soil and Water Conservation

U.S. Forest Service

Farm Services Agency

Virginia Association of Soil & Water

Ferrum College

Conservation Districts

Franklin County

Virginia Cooperative Extension Service

Franklin County Master Gardeners

Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality

Henry County

Virginia Dept. of Forestry

Henry County Master Gardeners

Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Virginia Department of Transportation

Roanoke County

Virginia State University

Roanoke Valley-Allegheny Regional Commission

Virginia Soil & Water Conservation Board

Smith Mountain Lake Association

West Piedmont Planning District

Smith Mountain Lake Policy Advisory Board

Western Virginia Water Authority

Monarch Butterfly caterpillars at Graves Mountain Lodge

District Programs The Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District sets priorities and objectives that are defined in a strategic plan. An annual plan of work is completed by forming committees such as Budget, Soil Stewardship, Youth, Annual Report, Conservation Awards, Annual Tour, Newsletter, Scholarship, Personnel, and other committees as needed. The Board of Directors encourages land users to adopt Best Management Practices such as conservation tillage in their farm plans. This District works from a budget to effectively manage funds, facilities and equipment. The Blue Ridge SWCD supports the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board, and the National Association of Conservation Districts. The directors attend area, state, and national meetings. The Commonwealth of Virginia supports the Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District through financial and administrative assistance provided by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Funding for the programs outlined in this report comes from a variety of sources, namely: DCR, local county governments, corpo rate sponsorship and donations. Other funding comes from a variety of sources, mainly federal and state grants.