Education and Outreach
Each year the District sponsors poster and essay contests in cooperation with local schools. The poster contest is open to 5th grade students and has a conservation theme that changes yearly. Average participation is approximately 125 entries. The essay contest is open to 6th grade students and it also has a conservation theme that changes yearly.
The District also recognizes each year a ‘Conservation Farm Family” and a ‘Conservation Guardian’. The Farm Family is honored for natural resource conservation on land they own. The Guardian is honored for natural resource conservation on rented land.
Each year the District holds an Awards Banquet in late March or early April. Poster and essay winners along with their parents and teachers are recognized. Those placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd receive ribbons and cash prizes. The Farm Family and Guardian receive engraved plaques.
The Conservation Districts in Lee, Moore and Harnett Counties jointly sponsor the FFA Federation Land Judging Competition yearly. Each District assists with hosting and conducting the contest and providing prize money for winning teams and individuals.
The District provides training materials to and sponsors teams from local high schools to regional or state Envirothon competitions yearly. Envirothon consists of five testing stations—forestry, aquatics, wildlife, soils and current environmental issues- where teams are tested on knowledge of subject. State winner is eligible to compete in national contest. The Envirothon is sponsored nationally by Canon.
Each year up to three high school students are sponsored by the Lee District to the Resource Conservation Workshop held on the N.C. State University Campus. This weeklong workshop exposes young people to various natural resource fields and includes field trips. Students are eligible to win various scholarships based on test scores at close of the workshop.
The staff of the Lee District is available to give programs on water quality and natural resource conservation to local civic groups.