"Conservation means harmony between men and land. When land does well for its owner, and the owner does well by his land; when both end up better by reason of their partnership, we have conservation. When one or the other grows poorer we do not.... It is the individual farmer who will weave the greater part of the rug on which America stands." -Aldo Leopold, in his 1939 essay "The Farmer as a Conservationist"

Soil and Water Conservation Districts were an outgrowth of a difficult period in our Nation's history. Their creation was hastened by a public awakening to the ravages of soil erosion, by the Depression, and the dust storms of the 1930's. The Knox County SWCD was formed July 27, 1944.

A key mission of the District is to provide information and resources to students, businesses, communities and the general public about the importance of protecting and conserving Illinois’ natural resources.

Vision Statement: To be the respected leaders in education and motivating those innovators who conserve our natural resources for the present and future generations.

Darla Steele, Administrative Coordinator

Kara Downin, Resource Conservationist

 

Ron Hall, District Conservationist

Mary Johnson, Soil Conservation Technician

 

Tom Hoben, Chairman

Bruce Pecenka, Vice Chairman

Chris Bewley, Secretary

David Asbury, Treasurer

Shawn Pitman, Board Member

 

Frank Hopkins

Pat Seiboldt

Patty Tusek

Bob Goss

Kurt Emken

Terry Leafgreen

AJ Harland

 

Board Meetings are open to the public and are usually held every third Wednesday of each month at the USDA building, 233 S. Soangetaha Rd. at 7:00 p.m.