Conservation Tour on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Cost: $140

Take in the breathtaking beauty of western North Carolina aboard one of the region’s most beloved attractions — the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Departing from the historic depot in charming Bryson City, this scenic rail excursion offers unforgettable mountain views and a relaxing way to experience the heart of the Smokies.

This four-and-a-half-hour roundtrip journey travels 44 miles through the stunning Nantahala Gorge and surrounding mountain landscapes, providing front-row views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Nantahala National Forest, Fontana Lake, mountain rivers, historic trestles, and areas deeply connected to the agricultural heritage and history of the Cherokee people.

Participants will also enjoy time exploring Bryson City and visiting a local agri-tourism farm nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains region.

Tour Includes:

Bus transportation from Cherokee to Bryson City
Tickets for the round-trip train excursion aboard an air-conditioned coach class car
Large scenic viewing windows throughout the ride
Box lunch
Visit to a local agri-tourism farm
Time to enjoy the shops and charm of Bryson City

Beer and wine are available for purchase during the train ride.

Learn more about the railroad at Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Official Website.

Biochar and Stream Restoration

Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Cost: $100

Explore how western North Carolina communities are rebuilding stronger through innovative conservation practices, stream restoration efforts, and emerging uses of biochar in agricultural recovery and land management.

This hands-on educational tour takes participants across Haywood County and surrounding areas to visit active and completed resilience projects that highlight conservation partnerships and recovery efforts following natural disasters.

Tour stops include:

A behind-the-scenes visit to a regional biochar production facility to see how woody debris and storm-related materials are transformed into valuable soil amendments.
A drive-through viewing of the completed Dotson Branch stream restoration project — an NRCS/RCPP conservation success story completed in 2018 on a 303(d) listed stream with participation from three Haywood SWCD cooperators.
A working farm site impacted by Hurricane Helene where biochar and streambank stabilization practices are being considered for cropland recovery through a current EQIP application.
The active RavenFork stream restoration project, featuring approximately 3,500 feet of restoration work along the RavenFork River. Participants will learn how restoration techniques have evolved since the site’s earlier Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) work in the 1990s.

Tour Includes:

Bus transportation to all project locations
Lunch
Technical and educational discussions on:
- Biochar production and applications
- Soil health and cropland recovery
- Streambank stabilization techniques
- Stream restoration practices in western North Carolina

Many of these topics will also be explored in greater detail during Monday’s breakout sessions, making this tour an excellent hands-on learning opportunity before the conference begins.

Conservation and Forestry at Biltmore

Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Cost: $150

An absolute must-see while visiting western North Carolina! Experience America’s Largest Home®, as breathtaking today as it was more than a century ago. Built by George and Edith Vanderbilt, the historic estate offers a fascinating glimpse into the elegance, innovation, and vision of the Vanderbilt family.

Your self-guided visit includes access to three floors and the basement of the grand Vanderbilt home, where you’ll explore stunning architecture, vintage clothing and accessories, fine art, antiques, and beautifully preserved furnishings. Along the way, discover the estate’s important role in the beginnings of forestry education and conservation in America.

The tour also includes time to explore Antler Hill Village & Winery, stroll through the renowned Biltmore Gardens, and take in the incredible views across 8,000 acres of working farmland and Blue Ridge Mountain scenery.

Tour Includes:

Bus transportation from Cherokee to Biltmore
Admission to the Biltmore House
Self-guided audio tour of the home and Vanderbilt family history
Access to Antler Hill Village & Winery
Complimentary wine tasting
Access to the Biltmore Gardens and estate grounds

Learn more about the estate at Biltmore Estate Official Website.

Supervisor Rules & Considerations

Supervisor Rules

Board Supervisors’ Rules in North Carolina

This recorded webinar, presented by Kristina Fischer with the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission, provides an overview of the roles, responsibilities, and governing rules for Soil and Water Conservation District Board Supervisors in North Carolina. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of statutory requirements, ethics, open meetings, and key policies that guide effective district governance. The session is especially valuable for newly elected or appointed supervisors, as well as experienced board members seeking a refresher on state-level expectations and compliance.

Helpful Resources:

North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission – Policies, Rules & Statutes: Official state page listing administrative rules (02 NCAC 59A-59G), statutes, guidance documents, and commission policies relevant to districts and supervisors. Soil & Water – Policies, Rules & Statutes (NCDA&CS)
NC General Statutes Chapter 139 – Soil and Water Conservation Districts: The state law that defines district organization, board composition, powers, duties, and training requirements for supervisors. NC General Statutes, Ch. 139 (Soil & Water Conservation Districts)
Soil & Water Resources – NC Division of Soil & Water Conservation: A collection of district resources including managerial guidance, open meetings materials, public records info, and financial administration resources. Soil & Water – Resources (NCDA&CS)
North Carolina Open Meetings Law – UNC School of Government: A trusted guide to Open Meetings Law requirements that apply to public bodies in NC, including soil and water conservation district boards. NC Open Meetings Law (UNC SOG)
North Carolina State Ethics Commission: Official site with ethics laws, rules, and educational materials (note: the Ethics Commission primarily covers state officials under the State Government Ethics Act). NC State Ethics Commission

These links will give supervisors easy access to official statutes, rules, legal frameworks, and best-practice guidance on governance, transparency, and ethical conduct under North Carolina law.

Nutrient Management

This New Employee Orientation session introduces the principles of nutrient management and its essential role in protecting water quality, improving soil health, and supporting agricultural productivity. Participants learn how nutrients move through the soil-water-crop system, the basics of nutrient sources and application timing, and how management decisions impact both farm profitability and environmental outcomes.

Through applied examples and hands-on discussion, employees gain a practical understanding of how nutrient management plans are developed and implemented at the district level. This session equips new staff with the foundational knowledge needed to assist landowners, support conservation programs, and promote responsible nutrient use across North Carolina.

NEOPP Nutrient Management Powerpoint Download

Soils Science

Soil Science
As part of our New Employee Orientation, participants take part in an interactive soils science lesson led by Dalton Buchanan. This session introduces the fundamentals of soil health, classification, texture, and function, with a strong connection to how soils influence conservation planning and on-the-ground decision making. Using hands-on demonstrations and real-world examples, employees gain practical knowledge they can immediately apply in their district work. Resources can be found below with some information on the usage of mobile soil trailers.

Introduction to District Outreach

District Outreach Presentation and Discussion
The District Outreach session introduced participants to the Division’s outreach strategies and the importance of building strong relationships within local communities. The presentation highlighted effective communication approaches, educational programming, and partnerships that help districts engage landowners, students, and local leaders. Following the introduction, an open discussion allowed participants to share ideas, ask questions, and reflect on how to strengthen outreach and conservation education efforts in their own districts.

Slide Deck & Worksheet

Regional Coordinator Panel

Coordinator Panel Discussion – Taryn, Elise, and Ken
The Coordinator Panel brought together Regional Coordinators Taryn, Elise, and Ken for an open discussion about the Division’s programs, communication channels, and regional support for districts. The panel provided new employees with a chance to learn how coordinators assist with training, technical needs, and day-to-day district operations. Participants appreciated hearing real-world examples and practical tips from each coordinator’s experience working directly with Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the state.

CREP Program Overview

CREP Program Overview & Webinar
The CREP webinar, led by Western CREP Specialist Ben Wilkins, introduced participants to the CREP program, the full team of specialists across the state, and a powerful online tool that allows you to view CREP enrollment and easements by county. The program — a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Division of Soil & Water Conservation) — offers landowners opportunity for cost-share assistance and long-term rental payments for establishing riparian buffers and other conservation practices. NC Agriculture+1

An important highlight: the webinar demonstrated the state’s CREP Easement Viewer tool — a county-level map interface accessible on the Division’s website — so you can locate where CREP has been implemented across the state and identify opportunities in your area. Explore it here: CREP Program – NC Division of Soil & Water Conservation NC Agriculture

Webinar Slide Deck

DSWC Engineering Teamwork & TA

Technical Assistance Requests & Teamwork Platform

Technical Assistance Requests Training
Participants learned how to submit, track, and manage Technical Assistance Requests using the Division’s systems. The session covered submission guidelines, required documentation, and best practices for ensuring timely and accurate processing, helping districts efficiently request engineering and program support while maintaining compliance with Division policies.

Teamwork Platform Training
During this training segment, participants explored the Teamwork platform, the Division’s project management and tracking system. Teamwork enhances transparency, collaboration, and efficiency by centralizing projects, tracking tasks, and storing documents. Participants were encouraged to log in early, explore the interface, and familiarize themselves with the platform to maximize the interactive session.