South Central Region Conference

Conservation leaders from Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas recently met at a National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) south central region conference in Corpus Christi.

Approximately 95 people listened to the general sessions which included topics on the changing the face of conservation, wildlife, coastal conservation issues, and watershed programs – past, present, and future.

The Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) from Kingsville provided a presentation on its role in securing a grant from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program for the application of Best Management Practices in Kenedy County. Through this project, water quality management plans were developed and the soil survey of Kenedy County was completed. Currently, Kleberg County has sent in a nomination to the Texas General Land Office for funding in 2007.

The Kleberg-Kenedy SWCD hosted an authentic “South Texas Cowboy” lunch at the new wildlife center on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville. The lunch followed a tour of the famous King Ranch.

“The Kleberg-Kenedy District was pleased to host this prestigious group of conservation leaders in our own backyard,” said Ernest Bippert, Jr., vice chairman of the local district. “Hopefully they can take some ideas on conservation back to their counties and parishes to provide to their local landowners and operators.”

The district’s board of directors include John Prukop, chairman; Ernest Bippert, Jr., vice chairman; Vern Crocker, secretary; David Schubert, member; and Trey Quackenbush, member. Prukop also serves as president of the South Texas Association. Sue Whitfield-Thompson serves as bookkeeper and Jessica Jane Benavides is the district technician. The district received the Outstanding Conservation District award for 2006 at the Area III awards banquet in Refugio. Area III covers 46 districts and 50 counties in south and southeast Texas.

The district covers approximately 1.6 million acres in Kleberg and Kenedy counties consisting of 88,000 acres of cropland, 26,000 acres of pastureland, and 1,043,605 acres of rangeland.

The Kleberg-Kenedy SWCD hosts an annual awards banquet, prepares an annual report each year to inform the public of its activities and accomplishments and utilizes the local paper weekly as an avenue for outreach.

The district uses a rainfall simulator as well as nonpoint pollution model to educate youth on erosion control. They also assist with conservation education activities at the local livestock show.

The board sponsors a poster and essay contest annually in which more than 300 students participate. It also sponsors and assists with annual ag fair, which impacts more than 3,000 students from schools in Kleberg and Kenedy counties.

The Kleberg-Kenedy SWCD also sponsors and hosts con-till field days, brush management field days, and land judging contests for FFA students.

The District also entered in a cooperative agreement with Kenedy County through the Costal Impact Assistance Program to assist local ranchers to apply best management practices to their land.

In order to conduct educational activities within Kleberg and Kenedy counties, the district secured a grant from the Kenedy Foundation for educational purposes. A technical service provider is used to assist with the planning and application of conservation practices with local cooperators through an agreement with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.

The Kleberg-Kenedy SWCD was formed in August of 1997 after being a part of the Nueces, Jim-Wells, Kleberg and Kenedy SWCD.

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