Water conservation involves an action that sufficiently reduces the loss, use, or waste of water in hopes of preserving its overall quality. A water conservation measure may incorporate an action, behavioral change, device, technological...

            It rained. Then it rained some more. Water ran from watersheds, ran off over the surface into streams and rivers, more than the waterways could drain, and the water spilled onto floodplains. In the city it ran down gutters into...

            “The ancient Egyptians, Persians, Phoenicians, and Hindus all believed the world began with an enormous egg, thus the egg as a symbol of new life has been around for eons. The particulars may vary, but most cultures around the world...

            Chief of Fire and Aviation Management Yosemite National Park, Kelly Martin, will be the speaker at the Forum open to the public at the HCC Conference Center, Thursday, April 4, 2013, on the topic “Wildfire in a Changing Environment:...

            Waiting for the snow to melt and the ground to thaw gives landowners – farmers and gardeners -- more time to plan for improving soil health. NRCS reminds us that soil health matters because healthy soils: mean high-performing,...

            Most of us are thinking spring even if the weather doesn’t seem to know spring is here. It appears that we still have time to make our plans for gardens and lawns before we can start...

            Many people of the world depend on water in lakes and rivers that they can see – clearly visible when water levels are low.  Many others depend on groundwater in aquifers that are out of sight – not so apparent when water...

            A February 27 press release announces that USDA is surveying US farmers about their planting intentions. We all might do well to pause and think about what goes into planting...

WHERE CHOCOLATE BEGINS Are you going to have a piece of chocolate on Valentine’s Day? All chocolate has a connection with a farmer, soil and water, a tiny insect, and special growing conditions. Chocolate comes from the seeds of a cacao tree. The tree, now grown in the tropics worldwide, is native...

COST AND BENEFITS                 The economic benefit that Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Illinois (SWCD) provide is far greater than the amount of money that is appropriated (from our tax dollars) for their use...