Precision Conservation Management and PepsiCo are asking SWCDs to spread the word about their cost-share program – an opportunity for farmers to get paid for new and old cover crops, reduced tillage, and/or reduced nitrogen Read more…
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced they will accept sealed bids this fall for about 30 agricultural lease contracts for crop years 2025-2029. IDNR utilizes agricultural leases as a tool to support wildlife Read more…
The Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District, with sponsorship from American Farmland Trust and Kane County, put on an introductory gathering for Women in Ag: Farm Conservation Community Series last Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Read more…
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced $5 million in new funding for projects that will improve water quality in Illinois. The Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) Program has been made possible by Governor Pritzker’s bipartisan Read more…
Thanks to those who represented Soil & Water Conservation Districts in the Illinois State Fair this year. The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts entered a float with the MAGIC of Conservation theme Read more…
Illinois lawmakers are arguing the USDA isn’t allocating enough federal funds for our state, given it ranks fourth in the nation in planted cropland, and asks for doubling or tripling the support for healthy soils Read more…
Richard Lyons of Harvel was named the 2024 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award winner Friday August 9 at Agriculture Day during the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go Read more…
The Illinois Department of Agriculture recognized several Soil & Water Conservation District Families Friday August 9 at Agriculture Day at the 2024 Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Conservation Farm Family of the Year Hobby Farms Read more…
The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has secured nearly $17 million investment in programming, staffing and district fiscal support. With an eye on celebrating Read more…
Sarah Earles from the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District Employees Association passes on an appeal for nominations for the Outstanding Soil & Water Conservation District Employee of the Year. If you know of an Read more…
The AISWCD’s Outstanding Forestry Contribution Award is a prestigious accolade that recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of forestry. This award celebrates outstanding achievements in promoting sustainable forest management, conservation, and Read more…
The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts’ Conservation Woman of the Year Award is a distinguished honor that recognizes significant contributions to conservation. This award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, Read more…
The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts’ Friend of Conservation Award is presented each year to an individual or organization that has in some manner benefitted natural resource conservation efforts on a regional Read more…
Post updated Aug 7 – see additional details at end of story . . . The office of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fulfilled Illinois’s request for more Read more…
The Illinois Soybean Association will be hosting Agriculture Legislative Breakfasts across the state, from 7:30-9am on the days listed below. A talking point will be the need to increase agriculture funding in the state, and Read more…
Two scholarships were awarded during the MAGIC of Conservation convention in Springfield in July. Evan Kraft was awarded the 2024 Illinois Soil & Water Conservation District Employee Association Scholarship. And Bailee Stratman was awarded the Read more…
Update: Stevenson High School represented the state well with a 5th place finish! The New York State Envirothon is hosting more than 500 visitors for the 2024 National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon annual competition, including Read more…
The board of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts named Rudy Rice of Perry County Soil & Water Conservation District as 2024 SWCD Director of the Year in July at the MAGIC Read more…
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SWCDs are local, trusted resources that provide a wide variety of services in rural and urban settings that includes technical expertise and assistance towards natural resource management, conservation planning, outreach and education.
SWCDs work to protect Illinois’ greatest assets – the rich, fertile soils and water resources of the state through strategic conservation efforts. The AISWCD and its member distrcits supports the mantra of 'clean water, healthy soils.'
SWCDs implement conservation practices, protect groundwater resources, conserve and restore wetlands/habitat, and work with other levels of government, homeowners, and developers to manage Illinois’ land in an environmentally sensitive manner.