In the last three years, nearly $45,000 has been poured into small projects across the county, thanks to a collaborative effort among the Covington County Soil and Water Conservation District, NRCS, the county commission and Wiregrass RC&D.

Typically each grant totals between $2,000 and $8,000.

Grants from RC&D often act as seed money, matching funds and more.

“The FY17 money is going to help with the poster contest and youth event, Envirothon teams from Pleasant Home and Straughn, Walk in the Forest and a little better than $8,000 to the River Falls Volunteer Fire for digital radios,” Soil and Water Administrative Coordinator Patricia Gunter said. “Years 15 and 16 also helped with all the education activities listed. Florala School got some to use at the building where they do aquaculture. Red Level got some at their ball field a couple years back and Pleasant Home and has gotten some at the softball fields. The Andalusia PD firing range got some for the observation deck and also the River Fall Park received some funds, too.”

In 2015, the county received $14,000; 2016 it received $13,500 and in 2017 it received $17,488.

Over the years, other projects funded have included improvements to Lockhart Longleaf Memorial Park, assisting with erosion issues at Pleasant Home, Red Level, Fleeta Jr. High, Straughn High School and a walking trail at the McArthur Campus of LBWCC and many more.

The Wiregrass RC&D council serves 10 Southeast Alabama counties, including Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Pike and Russell.

Applications are currently being accepted for the next round of funding. For more information, call 222-3519.