Spring 2025 Newsletter 
President's Message
It has been an honor to serve as the president of the ASWCS this year. I have been a member of the conservation society for many years. Our mission is to promote the wise use of soil, water, and other natural resources through scientific, educational, and service oriented functions. I truly feel that his organization has helped me throughout my career in networking and getting to know the conservation leaders of our state.
We are excited about our upcoming annual meeting titled Stewardship of Our Environment in Eufaula, Al June 11, 12 & 13. We have a great agenda which includes a variety of presentations from Soils and Ecoregions of Alabama to Venomous Snakes of Alabama. We would love for you to join us in the "Bass Capital of the World." So, bring your fishing pole and catch a few while you are supporting the Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Society. To register visit the link below.
Earl L. Norton Annual Scholarship
Our 2025 Earl L. Norton Scholarship Award deadline has been extended to May 31, 2025. The $2,000 scholarship is open to rising juniors and seniors studying at an Alabama College or University and majoring in a soil and water conservation related field (majors may include bio-systems engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, agronomy and soils, environmental science, landscape architecture, or other similar majors). For eligibility requirements and application, visit the link below.
2025 Scholarship: Earl L Norton Scholarship
Student Chapters
The Auburn University Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences (CSES) Club has officially reaffiliated with the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), bringing back an SWCS Student Chapter to campus. This move opens up new opportunities for students to connect with professionals in conservation, explore careers in natural resources, and get involved in hands-on projects that support healthy soil and water.
With this new connection, CSES Club members can attend SWCS events, apply for scholarships and internships, and take part in local and national conservation efforts. It also gives students a chance to build leadership skills and work with others who are passionate about protecting natural resources and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Rebuilding the SWCS Student Chapter is part of the club’s ongoing efforts to grow and offer more to its members. It’s an exciting step forward that will help Auburn students get more involved in conservation and make a real impact—on campus, in Alabama, and beyond.
2024 Earl Norton Scholarship Winner Takes on Invasive Vaseygrass
2024 Earl L. Norton Scholarship winner LeAnne Pace Burch (center) receiving her award. (photo courtesy of Auburn University)
At last month’s Tennessee Valley Beef and Forage Field Day, attendees heard from the Alabama Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS)’s 2024 Earl Norton Scholarship recipient LeAnne Pace Burch. Now a graduate student at Auburn University, Burch presented her research on vaseygrass management in forage systems, shedding light on a problem that many producers across Alabama face.
“LeAnne exemplifies the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Kathy Gotcher, SWCS Area 1 Vice President. “She is deeply committed to conservation, driven by research, and focused on delivering real solutions for farmers facing invasive species like Vasey grass.”
Burch, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Crop and Soil Science in December 2024, began her master’s program in January 2025 under the guidance of Dr. David Russell. Her research project focuses on three key objectives: evaluating herbicide responses in forage systems, measuring forage yield loss due to vaseygrass competition, and analyzing the physiology of vaseygrass to guide herbicide timing.
“Vaseygrass brings a lot of farmer concern,” Burch explained during her presentation. “I hope that, in the end, we can make correct recommendations to farmers for vaseygrass control.”
Her research includes herbicide trials, nutritional analysis, and the use of a photosynthesis reader to determine growing degree days for vaseygrass.
Burch’s academic excellence and passion for conservation were recognized last year when she received the Earl Norton Scholarship. Chapter President Ashley Campbell noted that Burch stood out for her deep commitment to natural resource stewardship. “We were very impressed with LeAnne’s commitment to learning how she can play a role in addressing conservation issues and protecting the environment.”
“Conservation has always been important to me because I want to leave the Earth better than I found it,” Burch said.
Fulford Honored with Environmental Stewardship Award
(Photo) On April 15, 2025, the Baldwin County Environmental Advisory Committee posthumously awarded Casey Fulford the Environmental Stewardship Award, a tribute to her work to protect Baldwin County’s natural resources. Family, friends and colleagues were on hand to honor Casey including her mother Danielle Smith and brother Matthew Majewski.
Before her passing on August 6, 2024, Alabama Association of Conservation District’s Coastal Restoration Planner Casey Fulford dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the protection of Baldwin County’s farmland. A passionate advocate for Alabama’s rural heritage, Casey led the Baldwin County Environmental Advisory Committee’s Farmland Protection Subcommittee, where she helped research critical challenges facing family farms, from shrinking acreage to rising production costs. She brought together farmers, landowners, and conservation professionals to study solutions, elevate farmer voices, and lay the groundwork for a more sustainable approach to development in South Alabama.
Casey’s efforts centered on connecting local producers with tools and resources that could help preserve their land and livelihoods. She championed voluntary conservation easements and land trust partnerships, including programs through the NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and the Georgia-Alabama Land Trust. Her research highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of farmland protection—from safeguarding watersheds and food security to helping families retain multigenerational legacies. Through her work, Casey showed that when we protect farmland, we’re also protecting the future of the communities around it.
On April 15, 2025, the Baldwin County Environmental Advisory Committee posthumously awarded Casey the Environmental Stewardship Award, a tribute to her work to protect Baldwin County’s natural resources. Her legacy lives on in the farmland protection framework she helped build.
Member News
Perry Oakes, P.E., has been honored with the Individual Achievement/Sustained Contributor Award from the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) Southeast Chapter, recognizing his decades of leadership and service in the erosion and sediment control industry. The award recognizes Oakes’ substantial contributions to the profession, including his work in education, engineering, and the development of erosion control standards across Alabama and the broader Southeast. A registered Professional Engineer and long-time member of IECA, Oakes currently serves on the organization’s Standards and Practice Committee, contributing his expertise to improve practices and support professional growth in the field.
Oakes retired from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2013 after a 35-year career, including 19 years as Alabama’s State Conservation Engineer. His work ranged from project engineering and aquaculture to conservation planning and technical oversight. In retirement, Oakes continues to serve as Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator through the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, leading efforts to improve and implement the state’s Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook. With B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Engineering from Auburn University, Oakes remains deeply involved in advancing conservation through both the Alabama Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society and IECA.
“Perry’s career has been defined by his sound leadership, technical expertise, and a true commitment to conservation,” said Dr. William E. Puckett, Executive Director of the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee. “This recognition from IECA is a well-deserved tribute to his tireless efforts to protect Alabama’s natural resources and mentor the next generation of conservation professionals.”
Events
The 2025 Clear Water Alabama Seminar and Field Day is set for September 24 & 25 in Pell City, Alabama, bringing together stormwater professionals, engineers, planners, contractors, and conservationists for two days of learning, networking, and practical insight. This year’s theme is “Clear Water Alabama ROCKS!: Exploring How Alabama’s Diverse Landscapes Effect Stormwater Management.
Presented by the Alabama Erosion and Sediment Control Partnership, the event offers 6.0 PDUs or 0.6 CEUs and is designed to provide training for MS4 personnel, erosion and sediment control professionals, and others involved in the design, installation, and inspection of stormwater systems.
Highlights of the 2025 agenda include:
- A keynote address by Dr. Bill Deutsch, Research Fellow Emeritus at Auburn University
- Technical talks on soil stabilization, vegetation management, urban stormwater basins, and low-impact design
- A special “Critter Conflicts” fireside chat hosted by Barry Fagan, featuring panelists from ALDOT, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and the construction industry
- Updates from the AU Stormwater Research Facility
- Ample opportunities to visit with exhibitors, industry reps, and local conservation leaders
The seminar will also include a product showcase, awards presentation, and door prizes, followed by a hands-on field day (details TBA) offering real-world demonstrations of erosion control techniques and products.
Clear Water Alabama is supported by a partnership of local, state, and federal agencies, universities, and industry groups, with special thanks to the local hosts: The City of Pell City and St. Clair, Calhoun, and Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just entering the field, Clear Water Alabama offers valuable knowledge, practical tools, and powerful connections to help you protect our state’s land and water.
To register, visit the link below. To become a sponsor, contact Perry Oakes at 334-703-6365.