Conservation Education Centers play a crucial role in promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable resource management. These centers often collaborate with state and federal agencies, local schools, and other non-profit organizations to deliver educational content and practical demonstrations about our natural resources and local agriculture.

Sponsored by Conservation Districts, Education Centers exist to educate the community about the importance of conserving natural resources such as soil, water, and wildlife, and offer a range of programs and activities designed to increase awareness and understanding of environmental issues.

They serve as community hubs where individuals can learn about composting, erosion control, native plant gardening, and other conservation practices, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and proactive resource management.

Numerous Conservation Districts host Field Days for local school children of all ages. For example, Tonto NRCD hosts their annual “Ag Daze” for local elementary and middle school-aged kids at a District Cooperator’s ranch. Around the property are multiple stations where kids learn about conservation and agriculture.

Rigg’s Field Day in Willcox-San Simon has been hosting high school students for the past 52 years, challenging them to test their natural resource knowledge and providing them with the tools they need to pursue careers in natural resources and agriculture.

San Pedro NRCD hosts their Ag Field Day for students in FFA. High schoolers compete in agriculture and conservation challenges, such as plant, soils, and wildlife identification.

Arizona Envirothon is modeled after the National Conservation Foundation Envirothon (NCF Envirothon), North America’s largest natural resource competition for high school students. Arizona’s competition is open to all high schools within the state. Interested students form a 5-member team, study and learn about our natural resources, and compete for the opportunity to win significant prizes and represent Arizona at the annual NCF Envirothon competition!

https://www.azenvirothon.org/

In several communities around the state, District-sponsored conservation gardens are a place where people of any age can experience hands-on conservation education and learn how to become effective land stewards, whether they live in a rural or an urban area.