Dr. Raghu and Ruby Singh of Karnes County Soil & Water Conservation District will be honored for outstanding contributions to the Texas soil and water conservation program at a Conservation Award Banquet for Area III on May 2. The banquet will be held at 6 p.m. at the Refugio Community Center. Area III consists of 51 counties in South Texas. This year the Karnes County Soil & Water Conservation District is honored to have the Singhs receive the first place award for their Water Quality Management Plan entry.

Categories in which awards will be presented include Outstanding Conservation District; Resident Conservation Rancher; Resident Conservation Farmer; Absentee Conservation Rancher; Water Quality Management Plan, Business/Professional Individual; Conservation Teacher; Wildlife Conservationist and Conservation Homemaker. Awards will also be presented to area youth winners of the poster and essay contests.

The purpose of the Conservation Awards Program is to recognize and honor Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and individuals who have dedicated their time, efforts and talents to making wise use of renewable resources. Sponsors of the Area Conservation Awards Program are the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the 216 SWCDs in Texas.