DES MOINES – Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week is an opportunity to recognize the important conservation practices placed on Iowa’s landscape and bring attention to the ongoing work by farmers, landowners and urban residents to protect the state’s soil and water resources.
On Wednesday, April 22 Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a proclamation recognizing April 26 – May 3 as Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week.
“Soil and Water Conservation Week is a great opportunity to highlight the efforts all Iowans can do on their property, whether in town or on the farm, to prevent soil erosion and protect water quality in Iowa,” Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said. “It is vital that we preserve these resources that help make Iowa agriculture so productive and such a key driver of our state’s economy.”
Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week is in coordination with the national Stewardship Week, sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts. This year’s Stewardship Week theme is “Local Heroes: Your Hardworking Pollinators.” Outreach activities and events will be held throughout the week.
Officials with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will participate in a pollinator “Lunch and Learn” at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines on Wednesday, April 29 and an urban conservation tour in Calhoun County on Thursday, April 30.
A wide variety of additional outreach activities and events will be held throughout the week. To see full details of these and all events being held this week in Iowa, visit www.iowaagriculture.gov/
Background: During the “Dust Bowl” years of the 1930s, the first efforts to prevent soil erosion were developed. In 1939, Iowa passed a law establishing a state agency and the means for soil and water conservation districts to organize. Over 70 years later, the 100 Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the state are hosting a variety of events to highlight the conservation work being done across the state.
The department’s Division of Soil Conservation provides leadership in the protection and management of soil, water and mineral resources. The Division also works with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and private farmers and landowners to meet their agricultural and environmental protection needs, in both rural and urban landscapes. The Department’s conservation partners include USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Iowa State University, and many others.
