SWCD logo if available Soil Water Conservation District

SWCD logo if available ______ Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) DATE EVENT PRESENTED BY

The SWCD in Action • Start your presentation with a personal story and a slide of pictures! • Personal Story examples could include: • Why you are a commissioner • Why you practice conservation on your farm or at your home • A story about how the SWCDs conservation efforts reached youth, acknowledged someone doing great conservation work in the county, helped a landowner put conservation on land that needed it, etc. • A story about how funding could help the SWCD meet a need they are currently not meeting

The History of SWCDs • • Formed across the nation after the devastation of the Dust Bowl – a consequence of farming without conservation and drought conditions Formed to be link between government resources and local farmers to increase the application of conservation on private land

We are the COUNTY SWCD Five elected commissioners in the county First Last First Last

Organization of SWCDs local • Five elected commissioners • INSERT district staff name & title • INSERT state staff name & title state • INSERT federal staff name & title federal SWCD logo

Other Partners & Support INSERT other staff, partners & affiliations Represented by Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) on the state level. There are 500 commissioners in 100 SWCDs throughout the state. Represented by National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) on the national level. There are 17, 000 commissioners in 3, 000 SWCDs throughout the nation.

What do SWCDs do? Soil Loss Complaints Enforce Iowa’s soil loss complaint, which requires conservation if soil loss exceeds acceptable limits and a complaint is filed

What do SWCDs do? Leverage Funds & Raise Funds • SWCD funding is matched by funds from the landowner • Conservation projects are installed by local contractors, supporting Iowa businesses • INSERT SWCDs fundraising, grant writing efforts

What do SWCDs do? Provide Technical Assistance & Cost-Share for Conservation • INSERT stats on the dollars spent in the county over the last year. • INSERT stats on the number of conservation practices installed in the past year by the District

What do SWCDs do? Outreach & Education • INSERT details on the Districts outreach & education accomplishments over the past year. • Include watershed projects, poster contest, scholarships, awards programs, field days, etc.

Who do SWCDs assist? • • There is an SWCD in every county; every Iowan is served by an SWCD Farmers Urban Residents Youth Everyone!

Why are SWCDs needed? Ensure Sustainable Agriculture • Iowa is a leader in agricultural production • The world depends on Iowa for the crops we produce • Anticipated increases in world population will place additional demands on Iowa’s farmers and land Agriculture puts pressure on Iowa’s natural resources NRCS

Why are SWCDs needed? Ensure Clean Water • Soil and polluted water runs off crop land urban surfaces making Iowa’s water bodies, streams, rivers & lakes dirty • Iowa’s water bodies run downstream, impacting national waters, such as the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone NRCS David Thorson

Why are SWCDs needed? Economy, Recreation, Wildlife, Quality of Life • Healthy soil and clean water is vital to Iowa’s economy • Conservation practices provide habitat for native wildlife and game • Conservation provides natural areas and recreational opportunities that make Iowa a desirable place to live and visit NRCS

FY 2018 Funding Needs • Support for staff • $7. 5 million needed to staff the 100 soil and water conservation districts who implement all the state’s soil and water conservation programs and projects

FY 2018 Funding Needs • $30 million for the Nutrient Reduction Strategy/Water Quality Initiative

FY 2018 Funding Needs • $10 million for Iowa Financial Incentive Program/Cost Share

FY 2018 Funding Needs Support for projects & programs • $1. 1 million for Urban Conservation • $2. 7 million for the Watershed Protection Fund • $2. 5 million for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program • $2 million for District Initiative/Conservation Reserve Program • $4. 6 million to close Ag Drainage Wells • $650, 000 for Integrated Farm and Livestock Management

FY 2018 Funding Needs Support for projects & programs • $600, 000 for Loess Hills – Hungry Canyons /Southern Iowa Development & Conservation Authority • $20 million to fully fund the Resource Enhancement and Protection Fund

FY 2018 Funding Needs • IWILL (Iowa Water and Legacy) • • In 2010, 63% of Iowans voted in favor of a fund dedicated to Iowa’s natural resources. Polling currently being conducted shows Iowans are still in favor of putting the fund in place to provide consistent and reliable funding for conservation!

Save the Date! 2017 Iowa Conservation Partnership Day Tuesday, January 19 th 10 AM – 3 PM at the Capitol Rotunda in Des Moines

Thank You For your past and ongoing support for soil and water conservation!