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 the MAGIC of Conservation through vital Soil & Water Conservation District programing, four agreements are in process and primed to... Continue reading→

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 employee, in your county or another county, that has gone above and beyond their duties and you feel they need... Continue reading→

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 the advancement of forestry practices. The Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District proudly nominated Allen DeCrane of Galva. Allen’s... Continue reading→

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, and a profound commitment to the preservation and sustainable management of our natural resources. Karen Hadley Lyman was honored with... Continue reading→

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 or statewide basis.  This year’s true friend to conservation, AISWCD, and the state’s 97 Soil and Water Conservation Districts is... Continue reading→

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 than $430 million in federal funding from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program. The CPRG program is providing funding to... Continue reading→

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 the vital mission of local Soil & Water Conservation Districts. August 5 – Bloomington August 14 – Quincy August 19... Continue reading→

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 2024 George McKibben Scholarship from the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts. Evan Kraft, son of Mark and... Continue reading→

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 2024 Illinois Envirothon winners Stevenson High School of Lincolnshire (see Illinois’ event). NCF-Envirothon is an international environmental and natural resources... Continue reading→

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 of Conservation convention in Springfield. The SWCD Director of the Year Award is a new and prestigious recognition bestowed upon... Continue reading→