KDSWCD Directors in Springfield | |
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KDSWCD Chairman Tom Konen, Vice Chairman Maggie Soliz and Director Jera Piper joined conservation colleagues, other SWCD directors/staff and diverse stakeholders gathered from across the state to bring a message of clean water, healthy soil to Springfield and our state’s elected officials.
Soil Health Week (March 4-10) showcased an Art and Science of Soil Health display in the Capitol Rotunda. Visitors were invited to leave their brush strokes with soil-based paints on a large map of Illinois illustrating our diversity of agriculture, watersheds and conservation.
On March 6, Lobby Day, conservation stakeholders from across the state rallied in the Capitol Rotunda.
Finally, March 7 was Advocacy in Action Day and the Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) hosted a Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) Rally in the Capitol Rotunda. The day featured presentations from STAR producers, educators, conservation planners and elected officials to celebrate the value of conservation and SWCDs efforts of Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources … one field at a time.
KDSWCD Vice Chairman Maggie Soliz summed up the week, "Excellent events with great opportunities to speak to legislators. I’m very encouraged at the progress the SWCDs are making working with farmers for conservation planning."
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Conservation Agriculture
Partners for Conservation – Opportunities Available for Landowners Ready for Conservation Practices to Improve their Land’s Soil and Water Health...
KDSWCD can provide technical assistance and possibly also funding for your next project!
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Our MISSION = Reduce Soil Loss and Improve Water Quality. Conservation Practices can significantly impact conditions on a variety of properties from residential land to agricultural acres.
KDSWCD provides technical assistance, as well as cost share funds to support conservation practices designed exclusively to support projects which address water quality or soil erosion concerns such as: pollinator habitat, reduced tillage, cover crops, well decommissioning, grassed waterways, rain gardens, constructed wetlands and more!
We are especially seeking operations that are poised to implement cover crops and/or reduced tillage in 2024.
Cover crops are a long-term investment used primarily to slow erosion, improve soil health, enhance water availability, smother weeds, help control pests/diseases and increase biodiversity, while enhancing a host of other benefits. Over time, they are shown to increase crop yields, break through a plow pan, add organic matter to the soil and attract pollinators, as well as increasing resilience to help combat the increasingly erratic, intense rainfall/drought conditions that we are experiencing.
Reduced tillage creates significantly less soil disturbance and leaves soil structure more intact. This results in a healthier microbiome, less erosion plus improved moisture infiltration and retention capacity. Crop residue is left standing to help protect the soil surface while adding organic matter. Additional economic advantages include reductions in crop establishment time and energy use.
Funds are currently available in partnership with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. This first round of 2024 funding closes April 8. Contact us to explore your options – email contact@kanedupageswcd.org or call 630-584-7960 ext. 3.
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Welcome
NRCS District Conservationist
Michael Brennan
"I am originally from La Grange Park, IL, where I spent most of my time outdoors, frequently camping and hiking with the Boy Scouts of America.
My education background includes a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Illinois and a M.S. in Environmental Science from Indiana University. I eventually started with the NRCS in Creston, Iowa, where I was as an Engineering Technician for two years.
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Following that, I accepted a position in Rensselaer, Indiana, where I was a Soil Conservationist for 6 years. I have enjoyed working with and getting to know a range of producers, and helping them pursue their conservation goals.
When I am not working, I enjoy cooking, biking and spending time with my family and dogs. My son will turn one soon and it has been fun watching him grow and develop. I am looking forward to getting to know staff, partners and producers around the state!"
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It’s not so easy working WITHIN a waterway! Our goal (per the Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts Act) is to provide support for what needs to be done with minimal impact on the water quality.
The KDSWCD Technical Team visits jobsites throughout our two counties inspecting soil erosion, sediment control and water quality management practices on a variety of projects. We offer guidance on the best possible practices for each location, utilizing the Illinois Urban Manual as a benchmark.
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Did you miss our
2024 SESC Seminar?
Or maybe you want to review a discussion?
Now available on our
YouTube channel!
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What a whirlwind of 2 days! In March, 125+ students on 25 teams from 17 high schools competed at either the DuPage County Farm Bureau or Morton Arboretum location on the topics of aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and this year's current issue: "Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future". | Congratulations to the Northeastern Regional winner Adlai Stevenson High School Team 1! The Future Farmers of America (FFA) division winner was Lyons Township High School Team1! Both teams will advance to the state competition in Monticello later this spring. State winners will go head-to-head in Geneva, New York at nationals this summer, with the winning team receiving scholarships! | |
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Overall Winner
Adlai Stevenson High School
Team 1
Lincolnshire
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Future Farmers of America
Division Winner
Lyons Township High School Team 1
La Grange
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2nd Place
Lisle High School Team 1
Lisle
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3rd Place
Hinsdale Central High School
Hinsdale
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Cook County Winner
University of Chicago
Laboratory Schools
Chicago
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DuPage County Winner
Lisle High School
Team 1
Lisle
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Lake County Winner
Adlai Stevenson High School
Team 1
Lincolnshire
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McHenry County Winner
Cary-Grove High School
Team 1
Cary
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Winnebago County Winner
Durand High School
Durand
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Sponsor
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Presenting Awards
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Spring Sale ~ Trees, Shrubs & Native Plants | |
Trees/Shrubs Deadline April 12
Plants Deadline May 17
A lovely selection of native plants, shrubs and trees! Create a pollinator habitat, install a border hedge or add a young tree to the Chicago Region’s tree canopy. Some species are limited supply! Northern Illinois Worm Farm will be on hand again this year with fresh worm castings!
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LAST CALL - Deadline April 19!
Annual Contest that is part of a larger statewide, and ultimately national competition. Open to all amateur photographers who live in Kane or DuPage Counties with two age divisions, youth and adult aged 19 and up. Contestants can enter as many as five photos in each of the four categories.
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LAST CALL - Deadline April 19!
The Soil and Water Stewardship Poster Contest is offered each spring and is open to all K-12 public, private, or home school students that live in Kane and DuPage Counties. “With the forest, the future is.” Posters should emphasize the interconnectedness between forests, conservation and our collective responsibility to safeguard these vital ecosystems.
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Visit the KDSWCD table
Hosted by Geneva Natural Resources Commission and Geneva Park District
Look for recycling opportunities (televisions for a fee, shoes, cotton clothes, small electronics and holiday lights) nature crafts, demonstrations, chalk art, kids' activities, tree planting (registration required), and self-guided prairie tours. Food vendors will be available. The event is open to all ages!
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One Earth Film Festival
April 23
6 pm
Join the Fox Watershed Partners for a virtual screening of
CARBON: The Unauthorized Biography
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"With Carbon in the news every day, you might think you know everything about her. But you’d be wrong. This spectacular and surprisingly unorthodox documentary reveals the paradoxical story of the element that builds all life, and yet may end it all. Narrated in first person by Sarah Snook (Succession), “Carbon” tells of her birth in the violent core of an exploding star and of turbulent sagas through the fabric of our evolving Earth. Accompanied by celebrated scientists, unique animations and a stunning orchestral score, “Carbon” reminds us of our humble participation in the most extraordinary story in the universe." - OEFF | |
Saturday, May 4, 9am-1pm
SCARCE
800 S Rohlwing Rd (IL Rt 53)
Addison
Eco-friendly garden supplies and advice to help you grow green!
Visit the KDSWCD booth!
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"The Wealth of Illinois is in her Soil and her Strength lies in its Intelligent Development.”
Andrew Sloan Draper, President of the University of Illinois (1898-1904)
All 50 states also have a designated state soil – a named soil that has significance or is important to the state. As there are many types of birds, flowers, and trees, there are hundreds of soil types in our state. The soil named “Drummer silty clay loam” is the official state soil of Illinois. How important is the Drummer soil to Illinois?
Join KDSWCD Soil Scientist, Mark Bramstedt as he digs in...
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Director
Melinda Bossenga
Melinda grew up helping her father use their land to provide food for their family. Perhaps because of this, since she was very young, she has been passionate about caring for our planet. This led her to pursue a degree in philosophy and environmental ethics alongside a minor in environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
While there, she volunteered in Jane Goodall’s Root-n-Shoots environmental education program at local elementary schools.
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Upon graduation, she was an intern at Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary in Schaumburg and then taught environmental education programs through the St. Charles Park District for over a decade.
She worked in France for about a year, and was able to see first-hand, some of the differences between our infrastructure and ecological and cultural mores.
She has been an advocate for organic farming, native landscaping, composting, and natural resource conservation for decades. Melinda was elected to the KDSWCD Board for a two-year term this year.
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** CORRECTION: Our emailed Issue 1 incorrectly identified Maggie Soliz as Secretary/Treasurer. She is newly elected Vice Chairman. Our apologizes for the error. | |
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Kane-DuPage Soil and Water
Conservation District
2315 Dean Street
Suite100
St. Charles, IL 60175
Mon - Fri 8am - 4:30pm
kanedupageswcd.org
contact@kanedupageswcd.org
KDSWCD is an equal opportunity employer and provider
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Board of Directors
Thomas Konen Chairman
Maggie Soliz Vice Chairman
William Pauling Secretary/Treasurer
Melinda Bossenga
Jera Piper
Staff
Tommy Purdom Resource Analyst
Blythe Keuning Resource Analyst
Patrick McPartlan Resource Specialist
Mark Bramstedt Soil Scientist
Kat Gerdts Administrative Coordinator
Isabella Borzeka Resource Assistant
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