TJSWCD Board of Directors at the February 2012 Meeting. Pictured (left-right): Brian Wagner, John Easter, Tom Pratley, Rob Parrish, Irvin White, James Kean, Carrie Swanson, John Conover, Paul Davis, David Collins, Lonnie Murray. (Absent from Photo: Rich Collins, Charlotte Rea, Mary Johnson, Steven Meeks)
Purpose
The Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District (TJSWCD) serves the Virginia counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson, as well as the city of Charlottesville. Soil and Water Conservation Districts are self-governed subdivisions of State government. The 47 Districts across Virginia are funded through local government appropriations and State and Federal grants. The Board of Directors of each District is made up of unpaid, locally elected citizens who set priorities and guide the activities and programs of the District.
The TJSWCD works in partnership with various local, state and federal agencies and organizations. These partnerships allow us to provide comprehensive and efficient natural resource assistance. Being locally directed, Districts are in the position to be able to respond to local concerns. Upon request, our programs and activities can vary to meet the needs of the localities.
About
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) were established in the 1930's to develop comprehensive programs and plans to conserve soil resources, control and prevent soil erosion, prevent floods and conserve, develop, utilize and dispose of water. The current focus of most SWCDs in Virginia is the control and prevention of "nonpoint source" (NPS) water pollution, which is the pollution that occurs when stormwater runs over land areas and carries pollutants into downstream waterways. The TJSWCD does that through technical assistance to citizens and local governments, financial assistance to landowners, and educational programs for both youth and adults.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, authorized under the Code of Virginia, 10.1-500 through 10.1-573.
Directors
Albemarle: Lonnie Murray (lmm6n@yahoo.com) and Steven Meeks (mrhis2ry@gmail.com)
Charlottesville: Rich Collins (rcc3f@virginia.edu) and John Conover (john@papercraft.org)
Fluanna: Robert Parrish (rogoparrish@gmail.com) and Tom Pratley (tom@pratleyfarm.com)
Louisa: James Kean (jfkean@louisa.net) and Brian Wagner (brian@ecosystemllc.com)
Nelson: Paul Davis (davis0138@aol.com) and David Collins (dlc.ls.pe@gmail.com)
At Large: John Easter (easters4@nexet.net)
VCE Representative: Carrie Swanson (cswanson@vt.edu)
Associate Directors: Irvin White (whitefencing@gmail.com), Mary Johnson (maryj459@gmail.com), and Charlotte Rae (the.creac1@gmail.com)
Staff
District
Manager: Alyson Sappington,
alyson.sappington@tjswcd.org
Administrative Assistant: Deloris Bradshaw,
deloris.bradshaw@vaswcd.org
Urban Conservation Specialist: Martin Johnson,
martin.johnson@tjswcd.org
Conservation Program Manager: Emily Nelson (Albemarle/Nelson),
emily.nelson@tjswcd.org
Conservation Specialist: Raleigh Coleman (Louisa/Fluvanna),
raleigh.coleman@vaswcd.org
Conservation Technician: Taylor Pippins,
taylor.pippins@vaswcd.org
Outreach & Education Coordinator: Nicola McGoff,
nicola.mcgoff@tjswcd.org
Watershed Assistant Intern: Brian Walton, brian.walton@tjswcd.org
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, & Nelson Counties
39 Industrial Drive, Suite 2, Louisa, VA 23093
540-967-0233, ext. 3
District Conservationist, Louisa/Fluvanna: Dana Bayless
District Conservationist, Albemarle/Nelson: Kory Kirkland
Soil Conservation Technician: Ross Norton