Soil & Water Conservation

Mission Statement

The Fishing Creek Soil and Water Conservation District and their partner, the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, help local citizens of Halifax County to conserve land, water, forests, wildlife, and other natural resources.

About

The Fishing Creek Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was established in November 1937. It was the second conservation district formed in North Carolina and among the first conservation districts in the United States. While Fishing Creek SWCD now encompasses all of Halifax County, the original boundary of the district was only the Little Fishing Creek watershed, which is where the district got its name. Fishing Creek SWCD has full-time office staff and a Board of Supervisors that consists of three elected positions and two appointed positions.

Staff

Chelsea Ricks - Conservation Manager
Dustin Bishop - Conservation Specialist
Tiffany Macon - Administrative Officer
Brian Saunders - USDA-NRCS

Board of Supervisors

Frederick Dunn Jr - Chair
Ken Morris - Vice Chair
Zeb Winslow III - Secretary/Treasurer
Dean Kight
Jim Short 

Cost Share Programs


The Agriculture Cost Share Program (ACSP) helps improve water quality through the installation of various best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural lands that reduce nonpoint source pollution. Examples of these BMPs include cover crops, residue and tillage management, grassed waterways, stream crossings, and livestock exclusion fencing. 

The Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AgWRAP) conserves and protects water resources by implementing best management practices (BMPs) that increase water use efficiency and increase water storage and availability for agricultural purposes. Examples of these BMPs include agriculture use water supply wells, conservation irrigation, and water storage systems.

The Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) reduces nonpoint source pollution by installing best management practices (BMPs) on developed lands not directly involved in agricultural production, like homeowners, businesses, schools, parks, and publicly owned lands. Examples of BMPs include critical area planting, backyard wetlands, and riparian buffers.

The Beaver Management Assistance Program (BMAP) provides beaver damage management services from USDA-Wildlife Services at a reduced rate for landowners. Current cost-share fees are $25 per visit (up to 15 visits per year) and $150 per dam removed. An initial consultation is provided free of charge. Landowners are also provided guidance on addressing beaver damage themselves at no charge.

Other cost share programs are available through USDA – NRCS. More information is available here: USDA-NRCS Programs and Initiatives

For more information about cost share programs or technical assistance not associated with a program, please contact our office.


Environmental Education


The Envirothon is a hands-on, natural resource academic competition for teams of middle and high school students that challenges students to think critically about the natural world and their role in it. Students will study and compete in five testing categories: soils/land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and current environmental issues. Winning teams from the Area IV Envirothon advance to compete at the NC Envirothon.

More information available here: NC Area IV Envirothon or NC Envirothon

The NCDA&CS Resource Conservation Workshop (RCW) is a weeklong workshop for high school students that involves study and hands on participation in a wide range of conservation topics including soil and water conservation, wildlife, and forestry. Students get to stay in NC State University dorms and participate in field study, tours, and other activities that focus on college and career decision making. Awards and scholarships can be won and are presented to students under several awards programs.

More information is available here: Soil & Water - Resource Conservation Workshop

APPLY NOW: 2026 Resource Conservation Workshop Application

Submit completed application packets to macont@halifaxnc.com by March 31, 2026.