1. Introduction to Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Kelsey Musich, CPESC Resource Conservationist Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District

2. Soil and Water Conservation Districts Soil and Water Conservation Districts were an result of the Depression and the dust storms of the 1930’s. These storms brought clouds of dust from the West to the Atlantic Seaboard and beyond. On April 27, 1935 an Act of Congress established the Soil Conservation Service, formerly the Soil Erosion Service. In October of 1994 to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

4. Soil and Water Conservation Districts A Soil and Water Conservation District is a locally organized and locally operated unit of government functioning under Illinois law, to promote protection, maintenance, improvement and wise use of the soil, water and related resources within the District. Directed by 5 elected officials – Board of Directors

5. What Do SWCD’s Do? An Illinois Perspective

13. Serving Communities BOONE CO. – Inspecting proper installation of erosion control fencing at a development site

14. Serving Communities BOONE CO. – District staff perform soil borings for septic suitability prior to development

15. Serving Communities KANE-DUPAGE CO. – Encourage Stream diversions in a development area

16. Serving Communities KANE-DUPAGE CO. – High school stream monitoring project

17. Serving Communities CHAMPAIGN CO. – Barnhart Prairie Restoration & Kenneth Kesler Education Center

18. Serving Communities CASS CO. – Arbor Day education program and seedling give away

19. Serving Communities PEORIA CO. – Stream bank protection and flood control project

20. Serving Communities Kane DuPage SWCD SESC inspections

21. Serving Producers WHITESIDE CO. – Staff assist landowners with enrolling and protecting CRP land

22. Serving Producers HANCOCK CO. – This toe wall structure, funded by C-2000 funds, stops runoff water from cutting back into field and ruining the waterway

23. Serving Producers KANKAKEE CO. – Representatives from the Chicago Climate Exchange gain firsthand knowledge of agricultural practices eligible for carbon credits

24. Serving Producers MADISON CO. – Stream bank stabilization practices keep Cahokia Creek from eroding away this farmer’s field

25. Serving Producers LASALLE CO. – Buffer strips provide wildlife habitat and help keep streams and ditches sediment free

26. Serving Producers . . . with no-till and other cultural practices

27. Serving Citizens MERCER CO. – This Stone Toe practice will divert water away from the eroding stream bank and . . . .

28. Serving Citizens . . . protect this newly constructed bridge

29. Serving Citizens GRUNDY CO. – Tours help these “lady landowners” learn how to use best management practices to protect the land they own

30. Serving Citizens MACON CO. – The district’s watershed protection program will help protect the dredged areas in Lake Decatur

33. Any Questions?