Soil And Water Conservation Districts

Tonight I am off to Montgomery County Soil and water Conservation District annual meeting.  Many people do not know that soil and water conservation districts are a local unit of government authorized by states in which they are located.  In Illinois, most of the Districts have boundaries that correspond with county boundaries.  They generally have little or no taxing authority.  Most of their funding comes from the state.

Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District has been around since 1941.  IT is one of the oldest in Illinois.  Their function is to support and promote soil and water conservation work within their boundaries,  In Illinois, districts also administer some state cost sharing funds that go to farmers to help with installing conservation practices.  They also act as an advisory board for local offices of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.  The annual meeting is a chance for the district to hear reports on conservation activities within the county.  My job tonight is to report on the activities of on of the district's committees I serve on.  I am member of the Natural Areas Guardians.