COASTAL GEORGIA CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Coastal Georgia Conservation District covers five counties and was created in response to the devastation of the dust bowl era. Soil and water conservation, leadership, information, education, technical assistance, and economic incentives are just a few goals of Coastal Georgia Conservation District. Working with local partners, individuals, businesses, schools, organizations, and government agencies, Coastal Georgia Conservation District continues to support and educate the public about environmental sustainability and conservation.
NEWS
Jerry Holcomb Inducted into NACD Southeast Hall of Fame
June 17, 2024, Gainesville, FL— Jerry Holcomb of Liberty County Georgia was inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Southeast Region Hall of Fame at their meeting held in Gainesville, Fl on June 17.
The Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame annually recognizes and honors individuals from the Southeast Region of the United States who have had a significant impact or influence on natural resources conservation practice or partnerships at the local, state, territory, regional or national levels.
Jerry Holcomb has been a District Supervisor representing Liberty County for the Coastal Georgia Conservation District since 2009. He currently serves as the District Chair. He is a former Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) Board Member serving as Group 4 Vice President and has been awarded GACD Supervisor of the Year for his leadership efforts. Jerry was inducted into the GACD Hall of Fame in 2023.
Jerry was born and raised on a diversified dairy, beef, and row crop farm in Peach County Georgia. Following High School, he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College from 1965-1967. In 1968, he was awarded the American Farm degree from the Future Farmers of America organization and the following year graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Agriculture. He later went on to obtain his master’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1980.
Jerry worked for the University of Georgia Extension Service as a County Agent from 1969 to 1999, served as City Arborist for Columbus, GA from 1987 – 1999, and as a consulting arborist from 1995 to present. During his time as a consulting arborist, he assisted the Georgia Forestry Commission with their Urban & Community Forestry Assistance program in partnership with the Georgia Urban Forest Council through his service as a circuit-rider arborist. In this capacity he assisted communities develop community forestry programs, revise tree ordinances, conduct hazardous tree assessments, prepared storm mitigation plans, conducted tree inventories, trained municipal tree care workers, and assisted with Tree City USA certifications. He is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Consulting Arborist, operating a consulting business statewide.
Since being a District Supervisor, Jerry has always been an active member working to promote the Conservation District and conservation efforts throughout the area. He has worked diligently to enhance educational workshop offerings to include estate planning, feral swine control, urban agriculture, erosion and sedimentation control, and forestland management. He has also been heavily involved in the annual Tree Care Seminar held in Woodbine, GA hosted for tree care professionals, government entities, and the general public to provide an opportunity to expand their knowledge on all aspects of tree care in urban settings.
Jerry was nominated for the NACD Southeast Regional Hall of Fame by the board of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts.
EVENTS
2025 Poster Contest
Supervisors
services
Feral Swine Control
Featured Projects
Scholarships and Environmental Education
The Coastal GA Conservation District, through their voluntary service, have created an endowment at the University of Georgia that will provide a scholarship for forestry. Fort Valley State University also received funding for endowment through educational contributions received by the Coastal GA Conservation District. Furthermore, the district also sponsors high school students at NRCW in Tifton, Georgia.
Community Outreach
The Coastal Georgia Conservation District provides environmental education in our community, local schools, and events to raise awareness about the importance of conserving our natural resources. Our conservation district is involved in any community event they can be, including CoastFest, Earth Day, and Arbor Day to name a few.
Community Outreach and Environmental Education is a top priority for the District.
Photo: Mr. Pete Waller, a District Supervisor, in partnership with NRCS and the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, volunteered to have one of our workshops on his farm, Ottawa Farms, to provide education for soil conservation.
Partnerships, Stewardship, and Future Arborists
The District partners with local working groups and organizations, such as NRCS, to ensure local leadership and grassroots conservation. Conservation Districts consist of experienced farmers, arborists, and naturalists that can provide knowledge to new farmers, students, and the community on ways to conserve our natural resources responsibly. District Supervisors are also stewards of a number of other projects that have a positive impact on their community’s soil and water resources. Without organizations like Coastal GA Conservation District, the future of our environment is in jeopardy. Environmental education, community outreach, partnerships, and stewardships will help future generations’ continue to conserve and enjoy the land that we work so hard to protect.
Mr. Warnell is a Bryan County District Supervisor and a certified forester, who volunteers his time every year to Georgia Arbor Day, as do our other supervisors.
Meeting Information
The Coastal Georgia Conservation District meets the first Wednesday of every month, unless otherwise noted, at 10:30 am at the Smokin Pig in Midway, GA.