Harford Soil Conservation District

General Information, Events & Links

[Click Here for a Regional Map From Harford County Web Site]

District Background

The Harford Soil Conservation District guides and promotes soil conservation and water quality programs in the county. Its primary mission is to provide farmers, developers, and other land users with technical, planning, and design assistance to install a range of best management practices to protect the environment. The district coordinates and makes available to the public, the services and programs of a number of natural resource and planning agencies. With agriculture land use in the county, the district focusses efforts on soil erosion, animal waste disposal, and water quality concerns on farms. In the urban areas, the district is addressing a vast number of urban issues. The district is not only responsible for reviewing and approving erosion and sediment control plans, but also addressing urban water supply and water quality issues, protecting wildlife habitat, and preserving farmland.

Functions of Board

The Harford Soil Conservation District functions independently under a local five-member Board of Supervisors. This local leadership ensures that Harford County issues are addressed. The Harford District staff and operating budgets are funded through a combination of federal, state and local assistance.

Mission of the District

To carry out our mission, the Harford Soil Conservation District works with a number of local, state and federal agencies, including the Maryland Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, Cooperative Extension Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers.

The Harford Soil Conservation District is hard at work protecting our natural resources and the quality of life for you and your family. But we can do an even better job with your help. If you are a farmer, become a cooperator with the Harford Soil Conservation District. Remember, we are not a regulatory agency. The aim of Maryland's soil conservation districts is to enhance farming operations while helping to protect our valuable soil and clean water. We can also assist you in finding financial help to install best management practices that protect water quality.

If you live on a smaller parcel of land, you can practice conservation by joining your local Tributary Strategy team, becoming an Earth Team volunteer, signing up for local environmental cleanup activities and educating yourself on sound conservation practices for home and garden projects. Call us today. As partners in conservation, we can ensure a bright future for our children.

Harford Envirothon

The Harford County Soil Conservation District is the proud sponsor of the Harford County Envirothon. The Envirothon is open to students from grades 9 thru 12, and provides an exciting way to learn about the environment and natural resources. The Envirothon combines classroom training and in the field hands on training in five topics. The five topics are Wildlife, Forestry, Soils, Aquatics and an Environmental Issue that changes every year, referred to as the fifth topic.

Summary of the 5 core resource topics of the Envirothon.

• Wildlife – Wildlife biologist teach about animal populations and dynamics and the importance of wildlife habitat.

• Forestry – Foresters teach how to identify tree species and how to determine a trees height, diameter and basal area. Students are also taught management techniques to assure healthy and productive forestry resources.

• Soils – Soil Scientist teach soil profiles, texture and color for identification and characteristics of soils. Students are taught how to use a soil survey to best determine agricultural and other land use consideration. Students learn how land use changes impact soils and people’s lives.

• Aquatics – Biologist teach underwater ecosystems of marine and freshwater systems. Students are taught the importance of water quality on steam heath and wetlands.

• Environmental Issues – Alternative Energy, Water Stewardship, Global Warming and Changing Habitats are all topics covered in the past. Professional experts in their field are brought in to teach students about the impacts of that year’s subject on the environment.

High School Evirothon teams are five members and one alternate along with a teacher/coach that study and attend workshops through out the academic year. Students are given a complex problem to solve and then make a presentation before a panel of judges in the late winter. In the early spring there is a competition and testing in all five topics. The team with the highest cumulative score advances to the Maryland Envirothon where they complete in a 2- ½ day statewide competition. The team that wins the State competition then advances to the Canon Envirothon an International competition with teams from Canada, Mexico and the United States that last for five days.

The Envirothon began in Pennsylvania in the year 1979, started by three soil and water conservation districts. The District was approached about sponsoring the Envirothon by a teacher who volunteered in an outdoor educational park in PA. The Harford Soil Conservation sponsored its first competition in 1991.. Harford County teams have since won the state competition a record 7 times. In the Canon Envirothon the Harford teams have placed 2nd twice, 4th twice, 6th, 12th and 20th.

Events

Links To Other Conservation Agencies & Related Sites

Cooperating Agencies

The Harford Soil Conservation District works with a number of cooperating agencies, including:

• USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
• USDA - Soils Data Mart (Soil Survey Info, etc.)
• USDA, Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• The Maryland Department of Agriculture
• The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• The Maryland Departments of Environment
• Harford County Agricultural Preservation Program
• Harford County Government
• University of Maryland, Cooperative Extension Service (CES)
• US Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS)
• US Army Corps of Engineers.
• National Association of Conservation Districts
• Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts
• The Maryland Envirothon
• Equine Studies - University of Maryland
• Equine Updates newsletter - University of Maryland

<Home>  <Services>  <Staff> <Board of Supervisors>

E-mail - Bill Tharpe -District Manger