At the AISWCD annual meeting, the SWCD directors passed a resolution to establish a petition to restore the SWCD Operations funding. We are seeking to get a minimum of 100 signatures from the supporters of each of the 97 Soil & Water Conservation District, to show deep support in all 102 counties across the state.... Continue reading→

The state’s Soil & Water Conservation Districts honored three families who best live and demonstrate the conservation ethic and provide service to their communities through the 2024 Conservation Farm Family of the Year at the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts’ MAGIC of Conservation Summer Training Conference & 76th Annual Meeting this week... Continue reading→

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton was honored with the award for Legislator of the Year Tuesday July 16 during the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts’ 2024 MAGIC of Conservation summer training conference and annual meeting in Springfield.  Lt. Gov. Stratton brings her visionary leadership to more than a dozen councils, commissions, boards,... Continue reading→

The Sand County Foundation took advantage of a gathering of Soil & Water Conservation Districts and leaders of the conservation agriculture community to announce three finalists of their 2024 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award. Lance Irving, director of the Leopold Conservation Award Program, took the stage Sunday night, July 14, during the Association of Illinois Soil... Continue reading→

The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts and and Conservation Legacy are seeking to hire a dynamic director to head up our new COVER Corps (Conservation Outreach Volunteers Engaging Resilience). Funding for this new initiative has been secured from the new USDA/NRCS/NACD/AmeriCorps Working Land Climate Corps program. This is a grant funded project.... Continue reading→

On the Fourth of July as we celebrate our nation’s 248th Day of Independence, it provides an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the true meaning of our contribution to the United States of America. To live in the USA is about so much more than simply a place that we call home.... Continue reading→

Menard County Soil & Water Conservation District shares photos of George Staab, board chair, Bruce Davis, and other members of the local SWCD from recent community engagement events. Staab was a leader for the 4-H Fishing Funshop and got to jump in the photos with the day’s big catches along with Bruce Davis. Menard SWCD... Continue reading→

Announcing the lineup of speakers for the 2024 MAGIC of Conservation Annual Meeting & Summer Training Conference. Agenda/Schedule PDF (updated 7/9) | Conference page | Registration PDF For over 25 years, Central Illinois magician, Mitch Williams, has thrilled audiences throughout the US and internationally. With his home base located in the heart of Illinois, he... Continue reading→

Dear SWCD colleagues, stakeholders, and supporters, Illinois’ 103rd General Assembly has finalized the FY25 budget. While many are celebrating, we on the frontlines of soil and water conservation are yet again disillusioned by a frontal attack that has landed at our doorsteps. As a recap, the governor proposed returning the state’s investment into Soil and... Continue reading→

The Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District Employee Association announces their annual scholarship. Those eligible must be either an Illinois SWCD employee who is an active member of ISWCDEA in good standing (pay your $10 annual dues), or a spouse or legal dependent of an Illinois SWCD employee who is an active member in good standing with... Continue reading→