Columbia, SC—Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Associate Commissioner Mary Burts was recognized as Volunteer of the Year at the SWCD’s Awards Banquet on May 17. Her contributions to the work of the SWCD include planting Arbor Day trees, scoring Envirothon performances, decorating venues for events, and developing new outreach programs. She also develops the themes for Richland SWCD Arbor Day and, formerly, Farm City Week youth contests; judges contest entries; and assists with the contest award presentations.
“Whenever we need help with a conservation event or education program, we know we can count on Mary!” says Richland SWCD Administrative Assistant Charlie Fisher. “We are fortunate to have such a fun, generous, and passionate conservationist on our team.”
Burts began serving as an Associate Commissioner with the Richland SWCD in 2009 following more than 20 years of service in related groups including Farm City Week Committee, 4H, Project Learning Tree, Project Wild, and others. “My father was an agronomist,” Burts explains. “He instilled a love of the land, farming, and the environment through my childhood.”
In addition to her service with the Richland SWCD, Burts works as an Adult Educator in Richland County School District One. She is a member of Kathwood Baptist Church where she serves as a deacon and in children’s ministry. She is President of the women’s service group Alpha Alpha Master Chapter Beta Sigma Phi. In 2017, she received the Linda Bleu Part-Time Teacher of the Year Award for SC Adult Education.
In appreciation for her service to the Richland SWCD, Burts was presented with a garden-themed statuette bearing the inscription “Mary Burts: Associate Commissioner Extraordinaire.”
For more information about the Richland SWCD or to find out how you can volunteer your time or talents, contact Chanda Cooper at cooper.chanda@richlandcountysc.gov.
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Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners. In South Carolina, Conservation District boundaries conform to County boundaries. The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise use and care of natural resources for long-term sustainability.
Contact
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District
2020 Hampton Street, Room 3063A
Columbia, SC 29204
Phone (803) 576-2080
Fax (803) 576-2088
E-mail soilandwater@rcgov.us
Facebook www.facebook.com/rswcd