10/06/2026
The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee and the conservation community itself, lost an icon of conservation when Earl Norton left this world this past Saturday doing what he loved - getting ready to head out to his forest land in preparation of deer season.
This TIP is a little different than the normal erosion, stormwater, or improperly installed silt fence pictures and verbiage you would normally see. This one is more personal. The picture is Earl Norton, taken by Perry Oakes at the recent Clear Water Alabama Event in Northport. R.I.P. Mr. Earl!
From Perry Oakes, PE, Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager:
This TIP may be a little longer than most, but please spend the time to read it.
As all of you probably know by now, Earl Norton passed away Saturday morning. He worked every day to promote and improve the land. And as usual, he woke up early that day to travel to his forest and plant green fields for the upcoming deer season. He loved that forest and always wanted to show it to his friends and others. As with everything Earl did, his forest was a showcase of proper forest management. Saturday morning Earl had made his coffee, prepared materials to go to the forest, and was getting ready to depart when he died. Earl Norton left a huge void with his family, church, and conservation world. I had the opportunity and blessing to work with Earl throughout my career with NRCS and after retirement with the Alabama Erosion and Sediment Control Program. Earl molded this program and created it into the successful endeavor it is today. Many of you had the opportunity to meet and work with Earl over the years. He never met someone that didn’t become his friend, and he always wanted to meet those that he didn’t know at the time to expand his friend world. He was a staunch believer that you should always be a part of a professional organization to expand your knowledge and network. He was extremely active with the Soil and Water Conservation Society (The Alabama Chapter) and the International Erosion Control Association, along with other groups.
As conservationists, we should strive to “be like Earl”. He often thought about the old Soil Conservation Service acronym SWAPA.
So, in your work each day, think about SWAPA:
Always try to save SOIL. Keep it from eroding and make it healthy.
Keep our WATER Clean and Clear.
Do things which help to keep the AIR we breathe healthy. Go plant a tree.
Utilize the proper PLANTS in their proper environment. Use natives and not invasives.
Protect all our ANIMALS and provide them with the habitat they need.
So, Mr. Oakes' "Earl tips" to each of you are:
When challenged with a conservation opportunity, ask yourself, “What would Earl do?”, and strive to “be more like Earl every day”.
Also, don’t sit in your own world but be an active part of a professional organization.
Perry L Oakes, PE
Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager
