David Gibbons from the Bell County Soil and Water Conservation District gave a brief update at last week’s fiscal court meeting.

The conservation district has a new address 10524 U.S. Highway 25E in Pineville. The office is open Monday through Thursday  from 8:30 to 4 p.m. and the phone number is 606-269-1467

Board members include chairman David Thompson, vice-chairman John Brock, treasurer Chuck Blank, Hannah Browning, Gibbons, Bill Partin and Ethan Warren. Charlotte Hatfield is the administrative secretary.

“The money that we receive from the Fiscal Court each year is returned back to our community through our projects,” Gibbons said.

The district partners with their counterparts in Claiborne County to provide a $2,000 scholarship each year to a senior from Bell County, Middlesboro, Pineville, Gateway high schools in Kentucky or Claiborne, Cumberland Gap or J. Frank White in Tennessee.

He said four Bell High students participated in the arts and writing contest this year.

They hope to have Field Day at the Bell County Fairgrounds the first Friday of September.

The annual tree giveaway will be April 26 at the Bell County Bus Garage. This year they have apple, persimmon, silky dogwood, eastern red bud, pecan and button bush.

“We look forward to seeing everybody there,” he said. “Our office is always ready to help the public and offer our assistance with farmers with their water systems, fencing and septic systems.”

Judge-Executive Albey Brock thanked Gibbons for coming to the meeting and the conservation district for all that they do.

“If you guys didn’t do what you’re doing nobody would do it. You protect a very important part of our heritage and the fiber that makes us what we are and it’s very much appreciated,” he said.