NELL HOLCOMB RECEIVES GRANT

The Nell Holcomb School District has received a $3,000 grant for an outdoor classroom project dealing with soil conservation.

The Cape Girardeau County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors presented the grant to the elementary district north of Cape Girardeau. This is the first time the board has awarded the grant, which it plans to award annually.

Nell Holcomb won the grant on a competitive basis. The district's plan includes: channel stabilization of part of Soake Creek, gully erosion control, a wind break, marsh land, wildlife food plots and habitat, forestry, weather station and amphitheater.

To qualify for the grant, school plans must include at least one soil or water conservation practice in the overall project. Schools must match the grant with a 25 percent outlay or in-kind payment, as well as have a minimum of one teacher attend a training conference sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Adoption of the outdoor classroom grant is based on the belief that it is the most effective way of educating county residents on the importance of soil and water conservation. It is hoped that outdoor classrooms will increase student understanding and appreciation of nature through a hands-on approach.

Outdoor classroom grant applications for the 1991-1992 fiscal year will be accepted through Oct. 15. Information about the grant is available by calling the Soil and Water Conservation office at 243-2140, or by writing the local Soil and Water District at 815-A, Highway 25 South, Jackson.