Happy Earth Day from Colonial SWCD!!

The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture Grant is currently accepting applications statewide.

allianceforcsa.smapply.us
Contact Samantha Pereira
Samantha.Pereira@ColonialSWCD.org

The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture Grant is accepting applications statewide. This round offers two program options: the General and the Pasture Renovation Program.

Apply Now! allianceforcsa.smapply.us

Contact Samantha Pereira: Samantha.Pereira@ColonialSWCD.org.

The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture Grant is accepting applications statewide. This round offers two program options: the General and the Pasture Renovation Program.

Apply Now! allianceforcsa.smapply.us

Contact Samantha Pereira: Samantha.Pereira@ColonialSWCD.org.

Only two days left for students to enter the 2026 National Association of Conservation Districts Poster Contest with the theme: “Soil. Where It All Begins.”

Deadline: September 15, 2026
Submit to: Amanda.Whispell@ColonialSWCD.org

Get the application:
www.colonialswcd.org/nacd-poster-contest

The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture Grant is accepting applications statewide. This round offers 2 program options: the General & the Pasture Renovation Program.
Apply Now! allianceforcsa.smapply.us
Contact Samantha Pereira:
Samantha.Pereira@ColonialSWCD.org.

Last call!!

The Colonial SWCD is accepting applications for VASWCD Educational Foundation scholarships!

The deadline to apply is April 9, 2026.

Four $2000 scholarships will be granted state-wide.

Head on to our website for more information!
www.colonialswcd.org/student-scholarships

Bob Waring, a third-generation farmer at Brandon Farms, has been no-tilling & cover cropping for decades — & the results speak for themselves: ~75% reduction in chemical use while maintaining yields. Learn how healthy soil can cut inputs & boost profits.
wix.to/EcgfpB2

The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture Grant is currently accepting applications statewide. This round offers 2 program options for applicants, review both to determine which best fits your operation.

Apply Now!
allianceforcsa.smapply.us

Samantha.Pereira@ColonialSWCD.org / (757)759-0528

This is the winning 2025 Colonial Photography Contest photo selected for the month of April.

Beaver Pond at Greensprings Interpretive Trail on a cloudy day. Photograph by Jeanette Navia.

You can submit your own photos to the 2026 Colonial Photography Contest now!
www.colonialswcd.org/colonialphoto

Living in the Transition Zone can be tough on lawns — hot summers and cold winters put both warm- and cool-season grasses under stress. Learn which turf types thrive, how growth cycles affect your lawn, and tips for healthier turf in this tricky climate.
wix.to/heJB5UG

The VFGC is hosting 3 fencing schools in April:
4/1 – Dry Fork, VA (Pittsylvania Co.)
4/8 – Galax, VA
4/29 – Weyers Cave, VA

The workshops include morning refreshments & lunch with a $15 registration.

www.vaforages.org/site_page.cfm?pk_association_webpage_menu=12175&pk_association_webpage=28140

🐛🦋🐝🐞🪲🦗🐜🪳🦟🪰🐛🦋🐝🐞🪲🦗

Make sure to stop by the New Kent Historic School Gym this Saturday to learn all about BUGS!

📅 March 21, 2026
🕙11:00 am - 3:00 pm
📍New Kent Historic School Gym, 11819 New Kent Highway, New Kent ℹ️www.facebook.com/events/1496463232047261

🐛🦋🐝🐞🪲🦗🐜🪳🦟🪰🐛🦋🐝🐞🪲🦗

Grab your leash & get to the park with your furry friend tomorrow! We'll be there talking about the best turf for your best friend! Come learn about what you can do to keep you dog safe when they are playing in the grass.

3/14 | 10am-2pm
Jamestown Beach Event Park
Parking: $5

March Schedule
3/3 | 5pm - Urban Committee - CSWCD Office
3/17 | 3pm - Outreach & Ed Committee - CSWCD Office
4pm - Personnel Committee - CSWCD Office
5pm - Operations Committee
3/24 | 4pm - Ag Committee - JCC Library
5:30pm - Board Meeting
colonialswcd.org

This is the winning 2025 Colonial Photo Contest photo for the month of March.

Halloween Pennant taken at York River State Park Croaker Landing. Photo by Barbara Creel.

Submit your photos to be included in the 2026 Colonial Photography Contest now!
colonialswcd.org/colonialphoto

Conservation Landscaping for Stormwater Management

2/21/2026
Williamsburg JCC Rec Center
10–11:30 am

We hope that you'll come and join Robyn Woolsey, from the CSWCD, tomorrow to hear her discuss methods that mitigate storm water runoff.

bit.ly/4s2a5Np

VCAP has grown 300% in nearly a decade — and demand now outpaces current funding. The Virginia Association of SWCDs is requesting $7–8M to sustainably meet rising conservation needs and clear a growing waitlist.

Read more: wix.to/rcvgQ7I

Winter news and updates from CSWCD Colonial Winter 2026 Newsletter available for download on our website

❄️ Our Winter Newsletter Has Arrived! ❄️
Catch up on the latest conservation news, conference highlights, and educational insights in our Winter Newsletter! This issue is packed with updates from all over the Colonial District.

wix.to/jgzXV9F

Beneficial Bugs - Soldier Beetles Soldier beetles are small, often unnoticed insects that play an outsized role in maintaining ecological balance. Learn more about the ecosystem services they provide and why you need more in your gard...

Soldier beetles: the small, often unnoticed helpers your garden needs. They pollinate flowers and prey on pest insects and they are beneficial in both life stages. Read more about why they matter to your ecosystem. Photograph (c) Judy Gallagher

wix.to/TvrA2zE

#BeneficialBugs #SoldierBeetles

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

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

⛺️ 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 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

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

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.

To apply you must be a VA resident, a full-time student enrolled in (or who has applied to) a college freshman level curriculum, & have a class ranking in the top 20% of your class or a 3.0+ GPA or appropriate equivalent. You must demonstrate an active interest in conservation.

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

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