Sign the petition to restore state funding for Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts to ensure clean water and healthy soil.
This spring, Governor Pritzker slashed the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s budget for the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) nearly in half. SWCDs are vital for protecting and managing natural resources by helping landowners implement practices that prevent soil erosion, conserve water, protect groundwater, restore wetlands, and enhance wildlife habitat, ultimately contributing to a healthy environment and sustainable land use in a community.
SWCDs programs provide flood control, maintenance of dams and reservoirs, protection of navigability of waterways, wildlife and forest conservation, and public land. Additionally, Soil conservation is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of dust storms.
Urge Governor Pritzker to restore funding for Soil & Water Conservation Districts to FY24 levels by signing this petition.