ROCKDALE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Rockdale County Conservation District is made up of a board of five supervisors that come from a variety of areas of life. The Rockdale County Conservation District is one of the few single county districts in the state. This means Rockdale County residents benefit from a consolidation of funds and resources and easier coordination with local governments.
EVENTS
NEWs
Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District Awards Winners of Poster/Photo Contest
November 18, 2025, Conyers, GA: Education is a critical element of the conservation effort at the local, state and national levels. Educating young people about the benefits of conservation helps to ensure the next generation will be wise stewards of America’s natural resources.
Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offered the Georgia Association of Conservation District’s (GACD) poster contest to public, private and homeschooled students from Kindergarten through 12th grade in the schools throughout the Rockdale County SWCD. Each year, the winning posters reflect GACD’s annual Stewardship theme and highlight the work of Conservation Districts to protect and enhance natural resources. This year’s theme, “Home is Where the Habitat is”, highlights the essential role of both natural and managed habitats in our conservation efforts. Rockdale County SWCD also participated in the photo contest which reflects conservation practices. The photo contest was offered to students in the Rockdale County SWCD from 6th through 12th grades.
Three overall winners in each grade category were chosen from many creative poster and photo contest entries. The 3rd place winner in the K-5th grade poster contest was Ezra Smith, a student at The Wilson Academy, winning $20.00. The second 2nd place winner was Mhina Long, a student at Honey Creek Elementary School, winning 30.00. The 1st place winner was Yareli Meza, a student at JH House Elementary School, winning $50.00. The 3rd place winner in the 6th-8th grade poster contest was Morgan Clark, a student at General Ray Davis Middle School, winning $20.00. The 2nd place winner was Tyla Ector, a student at General Ray Davis Middle School, winning $30.00. The 1st place winner was Ayana Thompson, a student at General Ray Davis Middle School, winning $50.00. The 3rd place winner in the 9th-12th grade poster contest was Kymora Owens, a student at Salem High School, winning $20.00. The 2nd place winner was Sharon Hernandez, a student at Salem High School, winning $30.00. The 1st place winner was Olivia Cook, a student at Salem High School, winning $50.00. The 3rd place winner in the photo contest in the 6th-8th grade category was Justin Terra Kinney, a student at General Ray Davis Middle School, winning $20.00 total. The 2nd place winner was Esselay Ellis, a student at General Ray Davis Middle School, winning $30.00. The 3rd place winner was Garbielle Phifer, a student at General Ray Davis Middle School, winning $50.00. The 3rd place winner in the photo contest in the 9th-12th grade category was Brianna Lloyd, a student at Salem High School, winning $20.00 total. The 2nd place winner was Tiana Baker, a student at Salem High School, winning $30.00. The 1st place winner was Kerianna Thomas, a student at Salem High School, winning $50.00. All 1st place poster and photo entries will be submitted to the GACD State Poster and Photo Contests. The awards were presented in Conyers, Ga at the Rockdale County Board of Education (RCBOE) Board Meeting in Conyers, GA by RCBOE Staff on October 23, 2025 and at The Wilson Academy in Conyers, GA on November 17, 2025 by GACD’s NE Regional Program Manager, Dana Tripp and the Chair of the Rockdale County SWCD Board, Leslie Lambert. GACD and local Conservation Districts encourage Georgia’s youth to practice conservation efforts that benefit Georgia communities.
The Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that manages and directs natural resource management programs in Rockdale County. The District works with farmers, landowners, homeowners, and with other units of government to educate and actively promote programs and practices that support the conservation, and use and development of soil, water, and related resources. More information can be found at www.rockdaleconservation.org.
Pictured: Rockdale County Board of Education (BOE) Vice Chair Jaine Jones, BOE Chair Sandra Jackson-Lett, BOE member Justinney, Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Shirley Chesser, Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Chair Leslie Lambert, Rockdale County SWCD Supervisor John Bowers, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) NE Regional Program Manager Dana Tripp, Student winners Mhina Long, Yareli Meza, Morgan Clark, Tyla Ector, Ayana Thompson, Kymora Owens, Sharon Hernandez, Olivia Cook, BOE members Pamela Brown, Heather Duncan, and Larry Cox.
Pictured: Rockdale County Board of Education (BOE) Vice Chair Jaine Jones, BOE Chair Sandra Jackson-Lett, BOE member Justinney, Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Shirley Chesser, Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Chair Leslie Lambert, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) NE Regional Program Manager Dana Tripp, Rockdale County SWCD Supervisor John Bowers, Student winners Brianna Lloyd, Esselay Ellis, Terra Kinney, Kerianna Thomas, Gabrielle Phifer, Tiana Baker, BOE members Pamela Brown, Heather Duncan, and Larry Cox.
Pictured: The Wilson Academy Teacher, Barbara, McKie, K-5th Grade 3rd Place Winner, Ezra Smith (surrounded by supportive students), and GACD NE Regional Program Manager, Dana Tripp.
Supervisors
District projects and events
Soil Stewardship Week
NRCW support/sponsorship
Each year the district sponsors as many students as possible to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop at ABAC.
Envirothon sponsorship and support
Each year the district supports our local Envirothon teams and plans to continue this support.
meeting information
The Rockdale County Conservation District meets the fourth Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at the Rockdale County Extension Office. To access previous meeting minutes and documents, please click below.