This Earth Day, we are grateful for our region’s resources

Sunday, April 23, 2017
Shane Johnson

Every Earth Day, we at the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District reflect on the wonderful natural resources we get to enjoy in Putnam County. Our staff is grateful for the opportunity to work with members of the community to facilitate voluntary initiatives to conserve land, water, forests and wildlife in our area.

We are one of 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) across the state – and nearly 3,000 across the nation – that provide a neighborly presence to help preserve and protect the natural resources that we all love.

The Putnam County SWCD has been around for more than 70 years, and we’re proud of the impact we have made.

Recent highlights of our work include participating in the Putnam County Ag Day, Master Gardeners’ Garden Fair and the 4th Grade Ag Day. We held a Soil Health Seminar in March and are partnering with the Purdue Extension to host Gardener Gatherings in April and May.

SWCDs are local units of government that carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. We provide voluntary, incentive-driven approaches to landowners for better soil and cleaner water in the state of Indiana.

Private landowners – using financial and technical assistance from local SWCDs – are implementing a wide variety of conservation practices including restoring wetlands, planting cover crops, filter strips, and preventing soil erosion.

Born in the wake of the Dust Bowl, SWCDs have been involved in delivering conservation across America for more than 70 years. Because Indiana has a wide variety of landscapes and conservation needs, each district operates at the direction of locally elected board supervisors. 

This local perspective allows SWCDs to manage the resources and serve the needs of the citizens in their district.

Soil and Water Conservation District staff and supervisors build partnerships with public and private, local, state and federal entities in an effort to develop locally-driven solutions to natural resource concerns. We work with landowners every step of the way from planning to implementation.

Our work results in cleaner water, healthier wildlife habitat, better soil and a trusted, collaborative relationship with the community. And that is something to celebrate and be grateful for this Earth Day.

To learn more about how your SWCD can help you, visit our website at www.putnamswcd.org or like us on Facebook at “Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District.”

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