Putnam County SWCD plots new course

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN Putnam County Community Foundation Executive Director Elaine Peck presents a check to Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor Kerry Ames. Pictured, from left, are SWCD Supervisors Melvin Nicholson, Mike Rissler and Ames, Peck, SWCD Supervisor Byron Goff and SWCD Director Sue Crafton.

GREENCASTLE -- The Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to announce it is starting an endowment at the Putnam County Community Foundation.

Inspired in part by these challenging economic times, the SWCD Board of Supervisors is focused on the long-term conservation needs in Putnam County.

"As we embark on this journey we are looking to the people of Putnam County to become our allies," said Sue Crafton, Executive Director of the SWCD. "We need community insight from both urban and rural citizens throughout the county to make Putnam County the best it can be for current and future generations."

In these challenging budget times the SWCD Board of Supervisors have taken an inventive approach to funding conservation on Putnam County lands. An endowment fund has been established to address the conservation needs of Putnam County by building a funding base that will be accessible for future conservation needs.

The SWCD endowment fund is in its infancy. The journey is just beginning to build the fund to its fullest potential. During the next three years, SWCD is charged with building the fund to the minimum funding level of $12,000. PCCF is helping in the endeavor by granting $1 to the endowment for every $2 raised to help it grow.

Fully tax deductible donations for the SWCD endowment fund can be made through PCCF. A check can be mailed to: Putnam County Community Foundation, PO Box 514, Greencastle, IN 46135.

For convenience, donations may also be made online at the PCCF Web site http://www.pcfoundation.org/fund_env_pc_soil_wcd_end.htm.

The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985, to strengthen our community by awarding grants to local nonprofits, by bringing individuals together to address community needs and by offering personalized charitable gift planning services to its donors.

The Foundation's Director is M. Elaine Peck and their office is located at 2 South Jackson Street in Greencastle.