Article provided by the FCHS FFA. The 52nd Annual Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) was held June 9th through June 13th, 2013 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. Since its beginning in 1962, approximately 12,165 participants have graduated from the workshop. This year’s workshop was enjoyed by 160 high-school students from 75 counties throughout Georgia. Students participated in field trips, recreational activities, and hands-on classroom learning, which provided opportunities to earn college scholarships at the end of the week.
Partnering with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, businesses and organizations sponsored the tuitions for most students. Kaylee Henry and Karen Davis attended this year’s Workshop and were sponsored by Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District. Local Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors in Fannin County are Damon Davenport and Richard Stanley.

NRCW, Dennis Brooks, said “This workshop was an excellent opportunity for high school students who were interested in learning first-hand about the environment and our natural resources. Students learn the importance of conserving natural resources and the vital role these resources play in our daily lives. Many students make decisions toward an area of study in college or a career path because of their involvement in this workshop.” Instruction and hands-on activities were led by professionals from Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, UGA Warnell, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and the Georgia Mining Association. Eleven different core subjects were covered: Wildlife Law Enforcement, Wildlife Management, Current Environmental Topics, Georgia Coastal Resources, Fisheries Management, Conservation Practices and Applications, Understanding Soils, Rediscovering Georgia’s Water Resources, Forest Protection, Forest Management, and Mining & Conservation.

A four-part exam was given on the last day of the workshop, which covered the core subjects. Fourteen college scholarships worth $19,450 along with $450 cash awards and plaques were given to students with the highest scores. Scholarships were provided by the following organizations: The University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors, Natural Resources Conservation Workshop Scholarship Funds, Piedmont Conservation Products, the Blue Ridge SWCD/Young Harris College, Georgia Mining Association, Georgia Chapter American Public Works Association, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Foundation, Fort Valley State University, Flint River Soil & Water Conservation District, the Georgia Chapter of National Organization of Professional Black NRCS Employees and the West Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District. Karen Davis who will be a junior at FCHS this fall was awarded the Blue Ridge SWCD/Young Harris College $1200 scholarship.