Soil and Water Conservation Districts work to protect Illinois’ greatest assets–the rich,fertile soils and water resources of the state through strategic conservation efforts. Soil and Water Conservation Districts,or SWCDs, have for decades overplayed a central role in efforts to sustain the viability of Illinois’ natural resources for future generations by working with environmental and agricultural... Continue reading→

The AISWCD is proud to host the Illinois Envirothon Competition each year. Envirothon is an academic competition featuring teams of high school aged students from across Illinois. Please click here to learn more or get involved!  

Save the date! The AISWCD’s 2020 Annual Meeting & Summer Training Conference returns to the Crowne Plaza in Springfield July 19-21st! Registration and sponsorship information will be soon forthcoming. Mark your calendars for another great year of training, education, fun, and networking!    

The AISWCD works hard to advocate for it’s membership  and advance conservation in Illinois. We are pleased to share the release of our 2019 Annual Report which celebrates the Association’s many accomplishments over the course of the past year. Clean water, healthy soils! Please click HERE to view the report.     Continue reading→

No-Till November is underway! Keep the stubble! No-till prevents erosion and builds soil health, and can also pad farmers’ bottom lines. #KeepTheStubble #DoNotDisturb   Using No-Till this Fall Give your farm a rugged, natural look By Spencer Miller | USDA-NRCS  Many farmers till during the fall. This year, we encourage you not to. Leave it... Continue reading→

A catastrophic event that was witnessed from the Great Plains to the U.S. Capitol over 80 years ago resulted in efforts that still have positive impacts on farms today. Beginning in 1932, persistent drought conditions on the Great Plains caused widespread crop failures and exposed the region’s soil to blowing wind resulting in the Dust... Continue reading→

Travel along rural roads in our area this winter, and you just might see an unusual sight. Those standing corn rows, still there weeks after the fall harvest? Those are no mistake: They’re helping keep the road in front of you clearer and safer. The McHenry-Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District has partnered with... Continue reading→

Conservation & Water Quality: One conservation practice that greatly benefits water quality, yet is often overlooked, is wetlands. Consider promoting this practice in your District or constructing one on your land in an area with consistent low yields, or in a tucked-away corner that could infiltrate tile water. For more urban areas, a rain garden... Continue reading→

NLRS News from Around the State by Steve Fulling My name is Steve Fulling and I live in Palestine, located in Crawford County. I am co-chair of the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Subcommittee, alongside Knox County Resource Conservationist Kara Downin. In conversation with the AISWCD and... Continue reading→