The future of soil and water conservation efforts in Illinois are in jeopardy and need your help! 
 
Conservation at the Crossroads:
Funding Crisis for Illinois Soil and Water Conservation 
Please Support Soil and Water Conservation Efforts in Illinois

Due to the budget impasse the future of Illinois' Soil and Water Conservation Districts and their equally important partners in the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Land and Water Resources is in jeopardy.   Soil and water conservation efforts have already been cut to the bone over the last decade and cannot sustain further cuts. The stakes are high. If the budget situation is not resolved, Illinois will lose the infrastructure necessary to deliver critical natural resource conservation on private lands. 

Illinois has some of the richest and most productive soils in the world along with abundant fresh water, yet instead of investing in the long term foundation of our state's number one industry, we continue to sacrifice the future for the present. The state that destroys its soils, destroys itself.

Take Action Now! 
 
 
(The above link will take you to a landing page hosted by our friends at the IEC that will allow you to easily contact your elected officials.)
The Situation
  • Due to the budget impasse the future of Illinois' Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and their equally important partners in the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Land and Water Resources is in jeopardy.  
  • If the budget situation is not resolved, Illinois will lose the infrastructure necessary to deliver critical natural resource conservation on private lands.
  • Soil and water conservation efforts have already been cut to the bone over the last decade and cannot sustain further cuts, funding has been cut by 70% since fiscal year 2002. 
What's at Stake?
Illinois has some of the richest and most productive soils in the world along with abundant fresh water, yet instead of investing in the long term foundation of our state's number one industry, we continue to sacrifice the future for the present.
If the budget situation is not resolved by the end of September:
  • Over half of Illinois' 97 SWCDs will likely close their doors and lay off staff causing Illinois to lose the infrastructure and the "boots on the ground" necessary to deliver critical natural resource conservation on private lands.
  • Illinois' Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy to help farmers voluntarily implement conservation practices will be severely handicapped, sending a clear message to the U.S. EPA about Illinois' commitment to addressing the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia zone, exposing Illinois farmers to potential future enforcement and regulatory actions similar to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
  • The delivery of over $400 million in conservation contracts with the U.S. Department of agriculture will be impaired.
  • 85 - 90 thousand tons of additional soil will erode into Illinois' surface waters.
  • 170- 180 thousand pounds of nitrogen and 85-90 thousand pounds of phosphorous will leach into Illinois' waterways that otherwise would not.