Soil erosion following the 1930’s “Dust Bowl” era, in this country, was so severe and widespread that it prompted the U.S. Congress to declare soil and water conservation a national priority. It was at this important historical time that Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) were born. President Roosevelt wrote to the governors of all the states recommending the formation of these conservation districts by local landowners.
In Florida, the soil and water conservation law, chapter 582, of the Florida Statutes, enacted in 1937 authorized the creation of districts. The purpose of these districts to develop and carry out programs of conservation of the state’s soil and water resources. Their mission to coordinate assistance from all available sources (public, private, local, state, and federal) in an effort to develop locally driven solutions to natural resource concerns. There are a total of 58 districts throughout the state, most organized to operate within county boundaries. Every SWCD has non-salaried, locally elected, public officials who serve on a governing board. Each governing board is composed of five supervisors who serve four-year terms.
Blackwater Soil and Water Conservation District was organized on March 17, 1942 for the purposes of promoting and encouraging the wise use and conservation of Santa Rosa County’s local natural resources. Blackwater SWCD assists individuals, groups, organizations, cities, schools, and units of government with solving problems relating to local soil and water resources. The district’s board of supervisors meet bi-monthly to discuss business and act on requests for assistance. The District is funded by the local county government and is a department under the Santa Rosa County’s Board of County Commissioners. For further budget information and financial reporting data visit Santa Rosa County's Budget Department
