A Year in Review

The Wake Soil and Water Conservation District works tirelessly in the interests of the nearly 664 farms and over 62,323 acres of farmland in our county by providing technical assistance, implementing conservation management plans and water quality improvement practices, and enhancing wildlife habitat.

In addition, Wake Soil and Water Conservation District strives to protect Wake County’s natural resources with financial assistance, farmland preservation, environmental education, and watershed protection programs. The 2024-2025 Annual Report summarizes the District’s achievements and progress toward its conservation objectives.

Conservation By The Numbers:

5,953 acres of Best Management Practices implemented

$503,668 of financial assistance distributed

51,690 lbs litter removed through Wake County Big Sweep

11 Wake County Big Sweep watercraft events

1,109 students and adults engaged in Environmental Education programs

4,772.54 acres enrolled in the Farmland Preservation Program

72 acres protected in permanent easements



2025 Annual Awards

From maintaining a family farm for more than a century to donating watercraft equipment for Big Sweep operations, the winners of the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual awards have gone above and beyond to protect our natural resources and land. To learn more about the award winners, check out their profiles.

Farm Family of the Year

Alan & Susan Jones



B.C. Raynor Friend of the District Award

Heidelberg Materials

The Patrick H. Johnson Farmland Preservation Award

The T.R. Johnson Farm

Big Sweep Partner of the Year Award

City of Raleigh Greenway Maintenance Team

The Patrick H. Johnson Farmland Preservation Award

The Walton Farm

Big Sweep Outstanding Volunteer Award

Glen and Kathleen Neff

Neuse North Area Plan

If you live in this community (or even if you don't!) and want to help shape it for the future, you're invited to participate. Wake County Planning staff need to hear from you as the Neuse North Area Plan is drafted over the next several months. Be on the lookout for an in-person public meeting that will be scheduled in the upcoming months. If you can't attend, you can call and leave a message with Wake Planning at 919-856-6310 (press 8). See the link below for more information and the many ways you can participate.

North Neuse Area Plan Webpage

Welcome Steven!

Natural Resource Conservationist Steven Ward recently celebrated his 1-year anniversary working at Wake SWCD, and we realized we had not officially announced his arrival back in January 2025. Steven earned a degree in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology from NC State University. He previously worked for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and Nash Soil and Water Conservation District. Steven enjoys fishing and spending time with wife Milynda, and their dogs Ava and Maggie. 

steven.ward@wake.gov

919-250-1053

Congratulations Leah!

Wake SWCD Environmental Educator Leah Purvis recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. The certification requires at least 200 professional development hours, including workshops, programs, teaching, a community partnership project, and site visits to environmental education centers across the state. Join us in congratulating Leah on this achievement in professional excellence!

Read the NC EE Educator Spotlight on Leah's experience

Meetings and Closures:

February 11 - Wake SWCD Board Meeting

March 11 - Keeping the Farm Workshop - Register

March 19 - Area IV Envirothon

April 3 - Good Friday (Office Closed)

April 8 - Wake SWCD Board Meeting