Okaloosa County BOCC — May 3, 2016 — YRSWCD 2015 Annual Report

Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District 2014 – 2015 Annual Report A Message from the Chairman Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District has had a very busy and productive year. The 2014 Farm Bill has streamlined many programs with Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) now a part of Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the introduction of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to tackle problems that encompass multiple legal jurisdictions. Restoration of two sites that were damaged by the storm event in 2014 is well underway thanks to the Emergency Watershed Protection Program funds. Our Education and Community Outreach program has increased considerably with two presentations for Arbor Day, the Ag Literacy YRSWCD History Program, School Conservation Education, and continued involvement with Okaloosa S.C.I.E.N.C.E. Initiative. Yellow River Soil and Water On October 11, 2016, Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation Conservation District was District will celebrate our 75th anniversary. For 75 years we have worked organized on October 11, 1941 hard to conserve the soil and water in Okaloosa County. As we move in accordance with the forward we would like to thank all our partners who have helped and provisions of the Florida Soil supported our goal to conserve the soil and water of Okaloosa County and Conservation District Act of look forward to the opportunities of this next year. 1937, Chapter 18144 as amended by the Act of 1935, Chapter 38094. This provided an organized approach for Gary Booker landowners and operators to YRSWCD Chairman solve soil and water conservation problems. Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District is YRSWCD Mission: Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation governed by five non-paid District’s mission is to solve soil, water, and related natural resource supervisors, who are elected in conservation problems throughout Okaloosa County. a general election in Okaloosa County to serve a four year term. YRSWCD Vision: Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation The Board of Supervisors for District’s vision is to: (1) Develop, implement, and administer Yellow River Soil and Water comprehensive natural resource conservation programs; (2) Provide for Conservation District are: the protection and wise use of soil, water, plants, animals, and other Gary Booker, Chairman related natural resources: and (3) Provide education and outreach to the Bill Ansley, Vice Chairman citizens of Okaloosa County, State of Florida, and the nation on the Linda Johnson, Member importance of protection and wise use of soil, water, animals, and other David Clark, Member related natural resources. 1  YRSWCD Geographical Extant Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District encompasses all the lands of Okaloosa County, bou