| Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation District |
| What is a Conservation District? |
| A conservation district focuses on natural resource problems and solutions. There are almost 3000 conservation districts in the United States. With almost one in every county, they improve the quality of life for every American. Conservation districts help: - implement farm conservation practices that keep soil in the fields and out of the waterways. - conserve and restore wetlands, which purify water and provide habitat for birds, fish and numerous other animals. - protect groundwater resources. - plant trees and other land covers to hold soil in place, clean the air, provide cover for wildlife and beautify neighborhoods. - provide local conservation, leadership, teach the value of natural resources and encourage conservation efforts. |
| History of Conservation Districts |
| In the early 1930's, along with the greatest depression this nation ever experienced, came an equally unparalled ecological disaster known as the Dust Bowl. Following a severe and sustained drought in the Great Plains, the region's soil began to erode and blow away, creating huge black dust storms that blotted out the sun and swallowed the countryside. Thousands of "dust refugees" left the black fog to live better lives. The storms reached south to Texas and east to New York. Dust even shifted into the White House and onto the President's desk. On Capitol Hill, while testifying about the erosion problem, soil scientist Hugh Hammond Bennett threw back the curtains to reveal a sky blackened by dust. Congress unanimously passed legislation declaring soil and water conservation a national policy and priority. In 1937, President Roosevelt wrote the governors of all the states recommending legislation that would allow local landowners to form soil conservation districts. Since about three-fourths of the continental United States is privately owned, Congress realized that only active, voluntary support from landowners would guarantee the success of conservation work on private land. |
| History of Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District |
| The Clinton County Soil Conservation District was formed April 8, 1947 after a petition was signed by more than 55% of the total number of landowners in Clinton County. The District was under the guidance of Dean G. Wade and Amel Ranz as temporary directors. In 1962 the name was changed to Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation District. |