Stories of Healthy Soil & Clean Water
AISWCD Poster & Photo Contests!
The annual AISWCD poster and photo contests, held in conjunction with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the NACD Auxiliary, provides students from kindergarten through 12th grade as well as adults the chance to have their poster and photo art displayed as part of a national conservation outreach initiative. Each year, the winning... Continue reading→
Kankakee SWCD Releases Soil Health Video
Watch! The Kankakee Soil and Water Conservation District is diving head first into the world of videography! In the recent past, the district received a Cover Crop Champions grant through the National Wildlife Federation. Originally, the district planned to do a series of events/field days this summer focused on cover crops and soil health. With COVID-19,... Continue reading→
Amid COVID-19, we must solve the growing threat from extreme weather
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on the lives of billions of people around the world. In Illinois alone, nearly 4,000 people have died and more than one million people have filed for unemployment. While the pandemic is unprecedented, public health experts have always known the threat of a global health crisis from... Continue reading→
Opinion | Guest View: Soil and water conservation more important now than ever
In a rare January string of severe weather, a tornado packing winds of up to 100 miles per hour touched down in Union County, causing widespread flooding and leaving a nearly mile-long path of damage through the small town of Ware. Unfortunately, Southern Illinois is no stranger to extreme weather events like this. And, as... Continue reading→
65th Annual Stewardship Week!
The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) wants to remind you that each of us has a connection to our natural resources. In partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), the AISWCD is celebrating the 65th year of Stewardship Week April 26 – May 3, 2020, focusing on the theme... Continue reading→
Guest Commentary | Urgent action needed to protect water, soil
Last spring, the worst flooding in more than 25 years created havoc for farmers across much of Illinois, impacting more than 40 percent of the state’s population. Months before that, in a rare December outbreak, 27 tornadoes tore through parts of central and southern Illinois, destroying or damaging hundreds of homes, businesses and farms. As... Continue reading→
Conservation Catchall
After a hiatus, we are pleased to share that the AISWCD’s Conservation Catchall publication is back! Check out the spring edition of the Catchall now! Click HERE to read!
Sponsor or Exhibit at the 2020 Annual Meeting & Summer Training Conference!
The Conference is one of the premier events held annually in Illinois that attracts several hundred participants deeply committed to natural resource conservation, both in rural and urban settings. In addition, the Conference also provides an excellent opportunity for many sponsors and exhibitors to connect with these conservation professionals. View the Sponsor and Exhibitor Guide... Continue reading→
Stewardship Week
The National Association of Conservation Districts and AISWCD celebrate “Stewardship Week” each spring! The 65th annual celebration is April 26th through May 3rd, 2020! Tag us in your social media posts using the following tags: @AISWCD @NACDConserve. Don’t forget to use hashtags #ILSWCDs #NACDStewardshipWeek #PollinatorsAtWork #DistrictsAtWork. Learn more about Stewardship Week and get resources to... Continue reading→
Learn More: Fall Covers for Spring Savings Cover Crop Pilot Program
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) recognizes cover crops as one of the most effective in-field management strategies to stem the loss of both nitrate-nitrogen and total phosphorus from corn-soybean fields, yet less than 4% of Illinois’ cropland is planted to cover crops annually. Meeting the water quality goals of the NLRS will require... Continue reading→