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Winter 2026 Newsletter
President's Message
From the Chapter President
Welcome to the SWCS Alabama Chapter January 2026 newsletter as we focus on the SWCS mission of fostering the science and art of natural resources conservation. Alabama is blessed with bountiful land, water and related resources and deserves the support of our chapter members and others that participate with our chapter to ensure that Alabama’s natural resources are utilized wisely. I am humbled to serve as the 2025-2026 president of our Chapter and appreciate very much the support of our officers and committee chairs as we move through the first half of 2026.
These are currently the topics that will be receiving attention from the Executive Committee over the next few months:
- Updating the Chapter Strategic Plan
- Planning the 2026 Annual Meeting
- Funding our scholarship program with endowments
- Considering co-sponsorship of training sessions with other entities
- Adding an additional university student chapter.
If you are not currently involved and want to be a part of one of the activities listed above, please let me know.
I wish each of you a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting on June 9-11.
Earl Norton, President, [email protected]
(334) 728-4107
2025 Annual Meeting Recap
Photos: (L) Ashley Campbell recognizes Dr. William Puckett with the Sustained Contributor Award and (R) Skip Ragsdale, president of Sunshine Supplies, Inc., with the Conservation Business of the Year Award.
The 2025 Alabama Chapter of SWCC Annual Meeting was a great success, bringing together conservation professionals and partners with a shared focus on Stewardship of Our Environment. The meeting highlighted the importance of caring for Alabama’s natural resources and strengthening efforts to protect them for future generations. Speakers provided an overview of Alabama’s environmental landscape, including soils and ecoregions, critical habitats, endangered species, and Black Belt prairie restoration, while the field day offered hands-on learning on topics ranging from soil and water conservation in agriculture to best management practices for development and invasive species control.
During the meeting, the Alabama Chapter recognized Dr. William Puckett with the Sustained Contributor Award. Dr. Puckett has served as Executive Director of the Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee since 2015, providing outstanding leadership in addressing soil and water resource concerns across agriculture, forestry, and development. Under his guidance, increased funding and program support have strengthened Alabama’s 67 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, expanded conservation initiatives, and advanced construction stormwater education statewide.
The Conservation Business of the Year Award was presented to Sunshine Supplies, Inc., led by President Skip Ragsdale, in recognition of outstanding contributions to natural resource conservation. Since 1988, Sunshine Supplies has provided high-quality erosion and sediment control products and innovative technologies to the construction industry across Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, supporting responsible development and improved water quality. In addition to their professional impact, Skip Ragsdale and Sunshine Supplies have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Alabama Chapter of SWCS for more than three decades.
Auburn University Student Chapter
Congratulations to our Chapter Immediate Past President, Ashley Campbell, and Auburn University’s Audrey Gamble, Professor in the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Department, for establishing an SWCS Student Chapter affiliation with Auburn’s Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Club. This partnership expands opportunities for students to engage in soil and water conservation with support from the SWCS Alabama Chapter and helps cultivate future membership.
Professor Gamble reports the club has been highly active in recent months. Pictured above are highlights from recent activities, including student presentations on summer internships, participation in the Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences Conference, and a cleanup at Parkerson Mill Creek.
For more information about Auburn’s CS&E Club, contact Professor Gamble at [email protected]
2025 Earl Norton Scholarship Winner: Clara Keener
Pictured: L-R Dr. Steven Hague, Head, AU Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences; Dr. Katelyn Lawson, AU Assistant Professor; Scholarship Winner Clara Keener, Huntsville, AL; SWCS representative Earl Norton; Dr. Arthur Appel, Dean, Auburn University College of Agriculture
The Alabama Chapter of SWCS is pleased to recognize Clara Keener as the 2025 Earl Norton Scholarship recipient. Clara is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences at Auburn University, where her academic focus and hands-on experiences reflect a strong commitment to soil and water conservation. Growing up on Monte Sano Mountain near Huntsville, Clara developed an early appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship, which has shaped her goal of building a career dedicated to protecting ecosystems and public health.
At Auburn, Clara has distinguished herself both academically and professionally. She is actively involved in undergraduate research, assisting with projects related to stream quality and macroinvertebrate communities, and has demonstrated diligence, maturity, and attention to detail in both field and laboratory work. Clara is also a member of the soil judging team and has participated in Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences (SASES), experiences that have strengthened her interest in sustainability, soil health, and conservation careers. In addition, she will serve as a Peer Mentor in the College of Agriculture for the 2025–2026 academic year, highlighting her leadership and dedication to supporting fellow students.
Clara’s long-term career goal is to work as an environmental scientist specializing in soil conservation and climate change, with a particular interest in soil carbon and sustainable land management practices. She plans to continue her education by pursuing a master’s degree in a conservation-related field and is committed to applying science-based solutions to real-world environmental challenges. The Earl Norton Scholarship will help support her academic journey and ensure financial barriers do not stand in the way of her future contributions to soil and water conservation.
Call for 2026 Scholarship Applicants
The Alabama Chapter of SWCS has been awarding annual student scholarships since 2010. This year (2026) will be no different. Here are the general application requirements:
- Be enrolled in an Alabama College or University majoring in a soil and water conservation related field (majors may include biosystems engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, agronomy and soils, environmental science, landscape architecture, or other similar majors).
- Be a rising Junior or Senior.
- Be in good academic standing with the College or University.
- Be enrolled for the upcoming fall semester. (Scholarship will be awarded at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting.
- A prior year recipient of this scholarship is not eligible to apply again.
If you have contact with a student who may be interested, please let them know of this opportunity. All applications must be postmarked on or before 4/30/26. Applications can also be sent electronically. For eligibility requirements and application, visit the link below.
2026 Scholarship: Earl L Norton Scholarship
Puckett Retires from ALSWCC
After 10 years of service, Dr. William Puckett retires as Executive Director.
The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ALSWCC) announces the retirement of Executive Director Dr. William Puckett, marking the conclusion of a decade of impactful leadership that strengthened Alabama’s conservation programs and expanded support for landowners, farmers, and local conservation districts statewide.
Dr. Puckett joined ALSWCC at a pivotal moment, bringing with him a clear vision for collaboration, stability, and long-term impact. Under his guidance, the agency focused on aligning people, programs, and partnerships—laying the groundwork for unprecedented growth.
Over the past decade, that focus produced measurable and lasting results. Under Dr. Puckett’s leadership, ALSWCC strengthened conservation efforts statewide by:
- Expanding conservation programs across Alabama through strategic grant acquisition and partnerships.
- Significantly increasing support to local conservation districts, enhancing their ability to deliver effective, on-the-ground conservation services.
- Revitalizing the Conservation Incentive Program (state cost share), restoring consistent annual support to assist landowners with priority conservation practices.
- Diversifying funding sources to create more resilient programs and broaden the reach and effectiveness of conservation efforts statewide.
These efforts elevated Alabama’s credibility on the national stage and demonstrated what coordinated conservation leadership can accomplish. As Dr. Puckett often emphasized, these achievements proved that “the Alabama Conservation Family can deliver.”
“Dr. Puckett’s leadership has been nothing short of transformative,” said Charles Holmes, Chair of the ALSWCC Board. “His commitment to strengthening conservation districts, securing new funding, and expanding statewide programs has positioned Alabama as a leader in natural resource stewardship. We are deeply grateful for his service.”
Reflecting on his retirement, Dr. Puckett shared, “Working alongside Alabama’s conservation districts, partners, and landowners has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Our progress over the past decade shows what is possible when we work together with purpose. I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished as a team.”
Ashley Henderson, P.E., former ALSWCC Assistant Executive Director, assumed the role of Executive Director on January 1, 2026.
2026 Annual Meeting
Alabama Chapter of SWCS Annual Meeting, June 9-11, 2026
Plans are taking shape for an outstanding meeting! The meeting will take place at the Associated General Contractors of Alabama Headquarters, Irondale, Alabama, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 9 and ending at noon on Thursday, June 11. Tuesday’s agenda will include; keynote address and seminar presentations; Wednesday will be a field day visiting a variety of locations, followed by committee meetings and dinner; Thursday’s agenda will begin with a business meeting followed by presentations. Exhibitors and a silent auction will be available from the opening session until the break Thursday morning. The Planning Committee will welcome suggestions for topics and presenters by February 20 - provide to Larry Hardy. Larry Hardy, Vice President and Planning Committee Chairman, [email protected] (205) 442-1106
