Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District
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colonialswcd.bsky.social
Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District
@colonialswcd.bsky.social
Colonial #Soil and #Water #Conservation District is a primary resource for technical, educational, and financial assistance in our district.
Students in the CSWCD are invited to enter the 2026 National Association of Conservation Districts Poster Contest with the theme: “Soil. Where It All Begins.”
📅 Deadline: Sep. 15, 2026
📍 Send to: Amanda.Whispell@ColonialSWCD.org

Get the application:
www.colonialswcd.org/nacd-poster-contest
February 4, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Camp Woods & Wildlife is back!
📍 Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
📅 June 15–19, 2026
⏰ Deadline to apply: April 15, 2026

Open to Virginia residents ages 13–16 with an interest in conservation.
Cost: $95 registration
🔗 www.colonialswcd.org/woods-and-wildlife-camp
February 3, 2026 at 7:06 PM
⛺️ Applications are OPEN for the 48th Annual Youth Conservation Camp!

📍 Virginia Tech | 📅 July 12–18, 2026
⏰ Apply by April 13, 2026

Calling all high school students (grades 9–12)!
Full scholarships available for eligible local students.

www.colonialswcd.org/youth-conservation-camp
February 2, 2026 at 9:20 PM
February Schedule
2/3 | 5pm - Urban Committee - CSWCD Office
2/10 | 5pm - Outreach & Ed Committee - CSWCD Office
2/17 | 4pm - Personnel Committee - CSWCD Office
5pm - Operations Committee
2/24 | 4pm - Ag Committee - JCC Library
5:30pm - Board Meeting
colonialswcd.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The winning 2025 Colonial Photography Contest photo selected for February.

Summer Tanager taken on the Jamestown sector butterfly count. Image from off Colonial Parkway. Photograph by Barbara Creel.

Submit yours to be included in the 2026 Photo Contest!
colonialswcd.org/colonialphoto
February 2, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Stormwater 101

📅 March 9 & May 18
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 Poquoson Public Library

Learn how to tackle stormwater issues on your property using practical, eco-friendly solutions like rain gardens, native plant habitats, permeable pavement, living shorelines, and more.
January 23, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Colonial SWCD is accepting applications for VASWCD Educational Foundation scholarships!

Deadline to apply: 4/6/26

Four $2000 scholarships will be granted state-wide.

If that is, you! Head on to our website for more information!

www.colonialswcd.org/student-scholarships
January 22, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Jan Schedule

1/6 | 5pm - Urban Committee - CSWCD Office

1/20 | 5pm - Operations Committee-CSWCD Office

1/27 | 4pm - Ag Committee
1/27 | 5:30pm - Board Meeting
JCC Library, Kitzinger Room

Not meeting in January:
Personnel Committee
Outreach & Education Committee
www.colonialswcd.org
January 5, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Winner for Jan in 2025 photo contest
In a quiet moment of their mating ritual, the smaller male & larger female Northern Watersnakes pause—entwined in a delicate dance that reveals both intimacy and instinct. Photo by Judy Jones.
Submit yours to the '26 contest.
www.colonialswcd.org/colonialphoto
January 5, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Join the VA Forage and Grassland Council at the 2026 Forage Conference for a discussion about managing for healthy animals & healthy soil on grazing operations.

Date/Location
1/27 Wytheville
1/28 Chatham
1/29 Warrenton
1/30 Weyers Cave

www.vaforages.org
December 3, 2025 at 9:19 PM
December Public Meeting Schedule

12/4 | 4pm - Personnel Committee
12/4 | 5pm - Operations Committee
12/15 | 5pm - Outreach and Education Committee
12/16 | 4pm - Agriculture Committee
12/16 | 5:30 pm - District Board Meeting

Not meeting: Urban Programs

See www.colonialswcd.org for more info
December 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The Colonial Photo Contest photo selected for December 2025

"A Delta Flow Scarab (Trigonopeltastes delta) enjoying one of my Summersweet shrubs (Plethora alnifolia). This was my only sighting of this very picturesque insect, not just in my garden by anywhere."

By Emilia Godwin
December 2, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Join us this Thursday for an informational session on the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP)

November 20, 6pm
King and Queen Public Library
Register here: kingandqueen.libcal.com/event/15334800
November 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Are you having issues with drainage in your yard or with erosion? Then come talk to us and learn how Best Management Practices can address your concerns and get you financial support.

November 20, 6pm
King and Queen Public Library
Register here: kingandqueen.libeal.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
📅 This is the winning 2024 Colonial Photography Contest photo selected for the month of November.

"A Red-spotted Purple butterfly (Limenitis Artemis astyanax) from my yard."

Photograph by Jeanette Navia
November 5, 2025 at 6:49 PM
November Schedule
11/10 | 4pm - Nominating Committee
11/17 | 3pm - Outreach & Edu Committee
11/18 | 4pm - Personnel Committee
11/18 | 5pm - Operations Committee

Not meeting: Urban Programs, Agriculture Programs, District Board

See www.colonialswcd.org for information about CSWCD.
October 29, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Late season / fall-blooming flowers are so vital to our pollinators. If you are thinking about cutting back the flowers in your garden because they are looking a bit sad, please remember our pollinators, (including our straggler migrating monarchs) are still searching for food!
October 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Learn how to address common yard problems like drainage issues, poor vegetation, or erosion with Best Management Practices and financial support.

October 22
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Essex Public Library

Space is limited, so please register in advance to secure your spot!
bit.ly/4haLPUR
October 14, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Discover the World of Dragonflies & Damselflies!
October 7, 2025
King of Glory Church (correction)
4897 Longhill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188

This talk is packed with stunning photos and videos to bring these fascinating insects to life. If you love dragonflies—you won't want to miss it!
October 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The winning 2024 Colonial Photo Contest photo for October.

"I snapped this photo of a juvenile Brown Pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis) and a few Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) while they rested on a column at the Jamestown Ferry Terminal.

Photo by Ty Smith.
October 1, 2025 at 4:25 PM
October Schedule

10/7 | CSWCD Office
5pm - Urban Committee

10/21 | CSWCD Office
4pm - Personnel Committee
5pm - Operations Committee

10/22 | CSWCD Office
3pm - Outreach & Edu Committee

10/28 | JCC Library
4pm - Ag Committee
5:30 pm - Board Meeting

www.colonialswcd.org
October 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
🌱Are you a high school student passionate about protecting our planet? The YCLI is your chance to take action, grow your leadership skills, and work alongside local environmental experts!

Dates: October 2025 – June 2026
Apply by: October 2, 2025

www.colonialswcd.org/youth-conservation-leadership
September 29, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Make sure you don't go cleaning up your leaves and dead flower stalks yet. Pollinators and other beneficial insects are using them (or will use them) as nurseries and homes where they can overwinter.
#savenativebees #nativepollinators #savenativepollinators
September 19, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District
Researchers at Xerces & @unevadareno.bsky.social tested the plants butterflies use in two major cities—nearly all had pesticides, many at lethal levels. Every step to reduce pesticide use is a win.
Learn more ➡️ xerces.org/news/organiz...
Find safer alternatives to pesticides ➡️ xerces.org/pesticides
September 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Hear Doug Tallamy talk about inviting nature into ur backyard on Sep. 11 @ Jamestown HS.
Doors at 6pm so you can visit w/ local conservation orgs hosting tables b/4 the talk. Talk @ 7pm.
www.eventbrite.com/e/invite-nature-back-into-your-yard-a-special-evening-with-doug-tallamy-tickets-1293033892179
September 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM