Eliot Clay, executive director of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts.
The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) is pleased to announce the selection of Eliot Clay as its new Executive Director. Clay, a seasoned policy leader with deep expertise in agriculture, conservation and environmental issues, brings a wealth of experience to the organization.
Clay comes to the AISWCD from the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), where he led their policy agenda on agriculture, conservation and on how natural and working lands are utilized in Illinois. He led the IEC’s Land Use Programs since July 2023 and previously served as director of the council’s State Programs and Agriculture & Water Programs. Clay also co-leads the Illinois Livestock Reform Coalition and was appointed in 2024 to the state’s Good Food Purchasing Task Force by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.
“I’m excited to join the AISWCD team at a crucial time for soil and water conservation,” said Clay. “The work of local districts is essential to protecting our environment and supporting our agricultural economy.”
Prior to his work with IEC, Clay served as a legislative analyst for the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus, where he supported the Environment & Conservation and the Agriculture committees. He earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield where he served as a graduate assistant with Illinois Issues magazine and public radio station WUIS in Springfield. He’s a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
Dale Shumaker, president of the AISWCD board, said he’s “excited about bringing Eliot on to the association’s team as a problem solver and relationship builder. Eliot comes to us from a conservation partner and is already familiar with the importance of Soil & Water Conservation Districts. He is energetic and enthusiastic about our mission. And we plan to lean on his legislative skills.”
As his first priority, Clay will work closely with local directors of the state’s 97 local Soil & Water Conservation Districts to push for the passage of Senate Bill 3964 and House Bill 5876, which will restore state funding for local conservation staff.
“These local Soil & Water Conservation District staffers provide critical support to farmers and landowners, helping producers access federal grants and implement sustainable farming practices,” Clay said.
Soil & Water Conservation Districts play a vital role in improving water quality, combating soil erosion and promoting sustainable land use practices. SWCD employees assist farmers and landowners with implementing conservation agriculture practices that improve soil health and reduce runoff, helping to improve the quality of the state’s waterways.
For more information about the AISWCD, its programs and how to get involved, visit AISWCD.org or follow AISWCD on social media.
About the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD)
The AISWD is a statewide organization dedicated to clean water and healthy soils. Local Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), promote sustainable farming practices and educate the public about conservation, and work together as the AISWCD to advocate for policies that protect water quality and make farms more resilient. Local SWCD technical staff are essential in assisting farmers and landowners to get Federal grants to get water quality projects done and implement conservation agriculture practices. Find out more at AISWCD.org or find AISWCD on social media.
