Moving Conservation : The Role of Conservation Districts of Iowa in
supporting Soil & Water Conservation Districts & Commissioners
Clare LindahlConservation Districts of Iowa
Importance of Soil & Water Conservation
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the legislature to integrate the conservation of soil and water resources into the production of agricultural commodities to insure the long- term protection of the soil and water resources of the state of Iowa, and to encourage the development of farm management and agricultural practices that are consistent with the capability of the land to sustain agriculture, and thereby to preserve natural resources, control floods, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, assist and maintain the navigability of rivers and harbors, preserve wildlife, protect the tax base, protect public lands and promote the health, safety and public welfare of the people of this state. IOWA CODE CHAPTER 161A SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
Challenges
Increase in population-increase demands of the land
Nearly 600 of Iowa’s streams, rivers & lakes are impaired or highly polluted
Over 50% of land in Iowa is rented
New practices, policies & initiatives
Urban population & legislators
Funding
Many successes!
“CLEANER WATER BRINGS BACK
TROUT”
“PARTNERSHIPS PROTECT BRUSHY CREEK”
“LOCALS DEFEND
IOWA’S GREAT LAKES”
“KIOWA MARSH MAKES A HISTORIC COMEBACK”
CDI’s role is to SUPPORT THE IMPORTANT CONSERVATION WORK OF DISTRICTS & COMMISSIONERS.
Conservation Districts of Iowa
Listening to commissioners, districts and partners
District survey What CDI programs districts
participate in, legislative activities, fundraising activities, promotional and educational activities, district employee information, payroll information, newsletter information, website information, social networking activities, name tag needs
District visits– 19 Districts Meetings
Information Sharing
Valuable, concise information Quarterly Bulletins: January,
April, August & December Conference Seeking funds for direct
mailings to commissioners Investigating new methods
for delivering information to commissioners & districts
New Award Program Plan/Checklist Application Promotional materials
( press release, flyer, fundraising materials)
Supporting Materials
Legislative Outreach Letter template for inviting
legislators to district legislative meeting
Presentation template Brochure Talking points
Supporting Materials
Soil and Water Resource Conservation Plan
District Annual Work Plan
Subcommittees Awards Legislative outreach &
education Fundraising Grants Partnerships Contractor meetings Private sector outreach
& education Absentee landowner Banquet Signage
Tools
Expo/Display Contest Deliver Presentation Youth Workshop/Conference Field Day Tour Demo Media Press Releases Commissioner recruitment Water quality monitoring Staff Newsletter Website
Soil and Water Conservation Week
April 28-May 5, 2013
1941: Governor Wilson proclaims
first Iowa Soil Conservation Week
PLAN AN ACTIVITY IN
YOUR DISTRICT!
100 EVENTS HELD BY DISTRICTS FOR
SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION
WEEK!
Soil and Water Conservation Week
Supporting Materials Coming Soon! Press Release Flyers Presentations Check list for
conducting an activity
Friday, March 15, 9:30 am-2:30pm Moville, WOODBURY CO
Tuesday, March 19, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, Luzerne, BENTON CO
Thursday, March 21, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Welton, CLINTON CO
Friday, March 22, 10:00 am-1:00pm, Breda, SAC CO
Tuesday, Mar. 26, 10:00 am-1:00 pm - Dedham, CARROLL CO
Thursday, Mar. 28, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, Red Oak, MONTGOMERY CO
Monday, April 1, 10:00am–1:00pm, Sioux Center, SIOUX CO
Thursday, April 4, 11:00 am-2:00 pm, Elkader, CLAYTON CO
Wednesday, May 22, 1:00pm – 3:30pm, Monona, CLAYTON CO
Spring Field Days
A press release Postcards to mail or
give out Flyers to hang up Talking points for
promotion in the media (radio, television or newspaper)
Attend!
Commissioner help needed to promote field days
The office has moved
945 SW Ankeny Road, Suite AAnkeny, Iowa
50023w/the Soil and Water Conservation Society