Clay Soil and Water Conservation District

04/29/2026

Congratulations to all the participants and winners of 2026 Clay Soil and Water Speech and Poster Contest! Thank you to all the parents, judges, and members of Clay Soil and Water Conservation District!

08/28/2025

We’re very excited to be part of this great program with Bradford Soil and Water Conservation District! RSVP and learn about the resources available for landowners in northeast Florida!

Are you managing working lands in Bradford, Baker, Union, or Clay county? Come find out about best management practices, technical help, cost-shares, conservation easements, and more! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/landowner-assistance-expo-tickets-1622867473299?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/16/2025

Looking to start or continue improving a school garden this year? Check out this $500 grant opportunity! Applications are due in early September. https://faitc.org/school-garden-grants/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6L0lq6NuMm1D3DdtGB1gUG9pDEZO2SxVYIIw47sGzftTLfmA3ySTIJa62oNg_aem_sizJVFUYM_QZ7xFL-wNMBA

FAITC's School Garden Mini Grant Program is designed to fund school garden projects that will educate Florida’s students about the importance of agriculture.

08/12/2025

The Department of Health has issued a blue-green algae warning for Doctors Lake. What is blue-green algae exactly? Well, it’s caused by an over abundance of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, which just so happen to also be the primary ingredients in many synthetic lawn fertilizers. When we get heavy rains, all that fertilizer runs down toward the storm drains, which drain into retention ponds and then make their way slowly to the local waterways like Black Creek, the St Johns River, and Doctors Lake. Do your local waterways a favor and hold off on applying fertilizers during the rainy season.

The Florida Department of Health in Clay County (DOH-Clay) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins in Doctors Lake-Salt Myrtle Lane. The alert is in response to a water sample taken on August 7, 2025. The public should exercise caution in and around Doctors Lake-Salt Myrtle Lane.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
• You should not drink, swim, wade, water ski, or engage in activities that may cause you to come in direct contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
• Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.
• Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
• You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location.
• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard at https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website at https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/, where you can sign up and be notified of the latest conditions.

08/07/2025

This is a great article from our neighboring district, Bradford Soil and Water Conservation District, who has two openings for volunteer elected supervisor to serve their county.

“These days, it's getting harder to champion soil and water conservation in Florida. There have been several recent legislative proposals to abolish these elected districts. One of the main arguments is that agriculture is no longer relevant enough to have the offices. Yet the economic numbers available indicate otherwise…”

If you’re interested in serving in Bradford County, contact Amy Morie, chair for Bradford SWCD.

https://www.bradfordsoilandwater.org/what-does-conservation-mean-to-youd

Today we recognize the challenges ahead and our local history of conservation service through Mr. Leon Carter, who started with Bradford Soil and…

08/06/2025

Are you interested in applying for federal funding to assist with your land management practices? If you’re in Clay, Putnam, or St Johns counties, our NRCS District Conservationist Joslyn Martin Mingus can help walk you through the process of applying for programs that provide financial assistance for conservation practices.

Applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) are due October 3, 2025. The EQIP program provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns, such as:

Improved water and air quality
Conserved ground and surface water
Increased soil health
Reduced soil erosion and sedimentation
Improved or created wildlife habitat and
Mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

08/05/2025

Looking to begin prescribed fire to manage your land? Or do you want to assist others with prescribed burns? Check out this opportunity for the Wildland Firefighter Course, which is required to participate in controlled burns. The Southeastern US ecosystems depend on fire to support biodiversity, and controlled burns are a great way to proactively protect against wildfires by lessening the fuel load of what can ignite during a wildlife. Click the link or check out the North Florida Prescribed Burn Association to learn more.

The Natural Areas Training Academy and Tall Timbers Research Station will be offering the Basic Wildland Firefighting course (S130/S190/L180) in October-November 2025. Registration opens in a few weeks, and we expect the course will fill quickly. Mark your calendar, get your paperwork in order, and send your early registration requests*.


S-130/S-190/L-180: Basic Wildland Firefighter
DESCRIPTION:
This training is designed to provide entry-level wildland firefighter skills and is often required for participation in prescribed burning activities (Firefighter Type II).
Click the link above for additional information including a draft agenda.

Participants will receive federally recognized National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) certificates for S-130, S-190, and L-180. This course satisfies the fire requirement for NATA’s Certificate in Natural Areas Management (CNAM).

DATES:
Online coursework: October 16-November 7 (approximately 32 hours, at your own pace with weekly assignment deadlines).
The in-person field day options include (Pick ONE):
November 12 – Torreya State Park, Bristol, FL
November 14 – Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL
November 17 – Archbold Biological Station, Venus, FL
November 17 – Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, Titusville, FL
November 18 – Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, Melrose, FL
November 20 – Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka, FL

REGISTRATION:
Regular registration opens September 3 at 10:00am ET.
Early registration opens August 26 at 10:00am ET.
*EARLY registration is only available for graduates of NATA core courses (not fire trainings), and full-time college students in Florida (limited quantity; must provide proof of college enrollment). You must email the Training Coordinator before August 21 to request early registration access. Early registration access will expire on September 2 at 11:59pm ET.
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/wecdept/author/nata/

08/01/2025

Attention educators! This is a wonderful grant opportunity for anyone trying to incorporate environmental education into your classroom. Last year, there was still grant money leftover for Clay County that didn’t get used, so PLEASE take advantage of this program if you’re a Clay County educator.

💧 Calling all educators! The Blue School Grant is back for the 2025–2026 school year! 📚

This grant empowers students to gain a lifelong appreciation for Florida’s water, understand its value as a limited resource, and develop a lasting water ethic. 💙💦

🏫 Up to $3,000 per teacher or school available!

📅 Key Date:
August 1 — Application period opens!
September 21st at 11:59 p.m. Application deadline!

Want to make water education part of your curriculum? 🌎💡 Apply with a description of your project, including the goal and key concepts. Grants are competitive and awarded based on a rubric.

📲 Learn more: https://bit.ly/Blue-School-Grant

07/29/2025

If you use the Wells Road and Blanding Blvd intersection regularly, you might want to take a look at the redesign plans FDOT is working on. There’s an open meeting Wednesday, July 30 at the Orange Park Library from 4:30-6, with an online option as well. https://nflroads.com/ProjectDetails?p=5580

Florida Department of Transportation is providing more ways to collect the public's input about proposed and soon-to-begin construction projects. FDOT District Two is now offering a virtual option to our Public Hearings and Meetings and Construction Open Houses.

07/16/2025

We had a great day hosting North Florida Land Trust, Alachua Conservation Trust, Florida Forest Service- Jacksonville District, MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and more as they talked with local landowners about the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The RCPP provides funding for different conservation practices within the Ocala to Osceola corridor, our local portion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. If you want to learn more about this program, send us a message, and we’ll connect you with the local program specialists!