History of the Highlands County Soil and Water Conservation District

Conservation Districts

Conservation Districts were created nationwide, generally one per county, as a response to the Dust Bowl that occurred in the late 1930' and early 1940's.  The Dust Bowl was a result of non-sustainable farming practices that heavily impacted the land and therefore soil conservation became the focus of these local groups, as well as the newly created federal agency, the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), known to day as the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).  Conservation districts were formed in Florida as a subdivision of state government under the Florida Conservation law of 1937 to implement locally led conservation.  Conservation Districts and the NRCS work closely with each other, sharing resources and personnel, and usually office space, to accomplish the goal of conservation at a local level.  The actual work performed by a conservation district depends on local needs.  The work is directed by an elected board of supervisors who meet monthly to discuss and direct District activities.  Traditionally the board of supervisors (for Districts nationwide) has been composed of members of the agricultural community, though more recently District boards are comprised of members from diverse backgrounds, particularly in urban areas.  

Conservation Districts and the NRCS are NON-REGULATORY agencies functioning to provide assistance to farmers and the public in general to accomplish conservation goals.

Click here to view some historical photos of Katherine Waggaman, Sam Polston, and others working on Soil and Water Conservation District projects!

Click here to view a report produced by the Conservation District in 1967 to commemorate 25 years as a District, including pictures of the watershed projects developed by the District

Conservation District functions include:

• conduct surveys, investigations and research

• conduct demonstration projects

• carry out engineering operations, cultivation practices and control measures

• cooperate, enter into agreements, provide financial aid or otherwise aid any agency, owner or occupier of land

• obtain and maintain property

• make available machinery, equipment or supplies

• construct, improve and maintain structures

• assist in developing comprehensive plans

• take over, manage and/or administer conservation projects

• sue and be sued, borrow money

• require contributions in money, services, materials and use of land for services provided

Highlands County

The Highlands County Soil and Water Conservation District was created in 1942 and originally was known as the Istokpoga Soil Conservation District, covering only the area south and east of Lake Istokpoga.  Katherine Waggaman was instrumental in the creation of the Istokpoga Soil Conservation District and as a board supervisor, she was the first woman Conservation District supervisor in the United States.  The District was expanded in 1946 to cover the entire county and was then renamed the Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Early District activities followed along the lines of activities occurring throughout the state to reroute water and drain lands for development.  The first watershed project was the East Placid Chain of Lakes, which began construction in 1956 and was completed in 1958.  Additional watershed projects include canal and structure construction on Fisheating Creek, Upper Josephine-Jackson Creek and in the Istokpoga Marsh.  The projects were conducted primarily to ease flooding concerns around homes and in agricultural lands.  The Istokpoga Canal was also constructed through the Conservation District.  All of these projects were accomplished with engineering support and assistance provided by the Soil Conservation Service with co-sponsorship by the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners. 

The Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District has developed a long-range plan to address several sets of specific goals:

Educational goals:

• sponsor and support youth and adult educational programs including outdoor classrooms, speech, Envirothon contests, and general public information and education

• develop a Master Conservationist program

Goals specific to agriculture:

• assist in the implementation of irrigation water management

• assist in the design and installation of efficient irrigation systems

• assist in incorporation of nutrient and pest management to Conservation Plans

• planning and implementation of Resource Management Systems on range and pasturelands

Natural resource protection goals:

• promote resource protection through land use and land management

• gather information about resource protection

• present information to interested groups

• work with other government agencies, including water management districts, and elected officials to protect resources

• promote relocation of septic systems outside the 10 year flood zone

Water quality and political leadership goals:

• obtain funding for water resource projects

• present water quality information to the public through press releases

• work towards minimizing allocation of local waters to other parts of the state while protecting and enhancing local water quantities

Lakes program goals:

• identify concerns for water quality in lakes and rivers

• address noxious vegetation problems in water bodies and possible restoration of native species where applicable

• address lake level and regional water supply issues