Leading people to conserve,improve & sustain our
natural resources and environment

227 N. Main St., P.O. Box 502, Elizabeth, IL 61028. 815-858-3418 Ext. 3          
Fax: 815-858-3894

Email: Mindy.Pratt@il.nacdnet.net

Trees for Large Scale Plantings

     We have seedling-sized trees available by special order for large-scale plantings.  Seedling trees significantly reduce the tree planting cost per acre and work well for machine planting systems.  If you would like to place an order for the seedling-sized species please contact Mindy or Mike at our office (815-858-3418 ext. 3) to make those arrangements.    

     If you have a large acreage to plant, the SWCD owns a tree planter that is leased to Evergreen Landscaping of Apple River.  Rick Huizenga, of Evergreen Landscaping provides a complete machine planting service and he may be contacted at (815) 492-2659.

Election of SWCD Board Members

     This year three 2-year positions on the SWCD board of directors are up for election.  An election for these two positions will be held on Tuesday February 7th, 2011 at the Jo Daviess County SWCD office located in Elizabeth, Illinois from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM.  Any person of legal voting age who owns or occupies land in Jo Daviess County may vote in the election or serve as a SWCD Director.

     If you are interested or know someone who is interested in serving on the Jo Daviess County SWCD Board,  contact a member of the nominating committee today.

 Monthly Board Meetings

Regular SWCD Board Meetings are held at the USDA Service Center office in Elizabeth at 7 PM on the third Wednesday of each month, except from December through March when meetings start at 11 AM.  Meetings are open to the public

News

      The Jo Daviess Soil and Water Conservation District continues to administer cost-share programs for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  Practices available through the state cost-share programs include: abandoned well-sealing, contour buffer strips, contour farming, contour strip-cropping, cover crops, critical area planting, diversions, field border strips, filter strips, grade stabilization structures, grassed waterways, nutrient management, pasture and hayland planting, stream stabilization, strip-tillage, terraces, and water and sediment control basins.  In Calendar Year 2011, eleven local landowners were paid approximately $60,000 in cost-share for saving over 800 tons of soil annually and sealing sealing well.  For cost-share applications or questions, please contact the Jo Daviess county SWCD office.

     The Jo Daviess County SWCD also continues to provide natural resources education and fee-based services to the public or other governing bodies.  Currently, the Jo Daviess County SWCD provides consulting services to Apple Canyon Lake Property Owners Association, Jo-Carroll Energy, and private landowners who request a Natural Resources Inventory Report for a proposed zoning change in Jo Daviess County.

    The past several years have been difficult for the Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) of Illinois.  With the state budget in the red, many state agencies, services, and programs are being cut or eliminated.  For this reason the SWCDs’ operations funding from the Department of Agriculture has been reduced, leaving many districts to cut employees, staffing hours, and services, thus, reducing efforts of the SWCDs to help landowners in the preservation and enhancement of natural resources.

     This has caused the Jo Daviess County SWCD to make some difficult decisions for the future preservation of natural resources in Jo Daviess County.  If this trend continues, many of the conservation products and services currently being provided by the Jo Daviess County SWCD will be reduced or cut as we move into “survival” mode and concentrate on fee-based services to financially support the SWCD.

  So, how can you help?

     You can help in one of two ways.  First, write letters to our state legislators and county board members to increase financial support to the SWCDs so they will be able to continue helping landowners preserve and enhance the natural resources of the state.  If this funding is not increased, SWCDs will start closing their doors creating a devastating long term effect on Illinois' natural resources.  Secondly,  volunteer your time to help the SWCD staff work on essential work items and alternative sources of funding.  If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, or you have any ideas of potential sources of funding, please contact our office.

 

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