The Pulaski County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a government subdivision of the state and a public body exercising public powers. Our function is to provide information about soil, water and related natural resource conservation; identify and prioritize local soil and water resource concerns; and connect land users to sources of education, technical, and financial assistance to implement conservation practices and technologies. We serve the residents of Pulaski County and people "downstream" to improve the quality of life by protecting natural resources for the present and for the future.
The mission of the Pulaski County SWCD is to conserve, improve and sustain the appropriate use of our natural resources. Some of the critical natural resource issues are controlling wind and water erosion, protecting water quality and quantity, surface and sub-surface; maintaining adequate and safe drainage, promoting wise land use, and developing and promoting reasonable wildlife management.
The District has various workshops and educational meetings for land users that help them obtain profitable endeavors. These include information on no-till farming, nitrogen management, pesticides effects on water quality, and the control of invasive weed species.
Pulaski County farmers have an interest in planting cover crops to reduce soil erosion. District Supervisors planted cover crop plots and held a field day. The goal was to show the variety and combinations of species that demonstrate the benefits of this practice. The District received Clean Water Indiana (CWI) funds and provided additional dollars as an incentive payment for local farmers to plant cover crops. Over 2,100 acres of cover crops were planted as a result.
County school programs such as Sand Hill Crane Day, Earth Day and Arbor Day, and the Arrowhead County RC&D-sponsored Environthon and River Expedition, educate future leaders to help our county prosper. Indiana Water Riches is presented to all county fifth grade students in cooperation with Purdue Cooperative Extension. Students learn about water use, the water cycle, surface and ground water, water pollution and water conservation in this five session hands-on course.
"Mission to Mars," another fifth grade partnered program with Extension, assists students with utilizing their science and math skills to learn about recycling, food production, waste management and water treatment. The District also presents various programs teaching our students about landfills. "Earth Night" at our county fair is educational and free fun with prizes for our youth. All the games at Earth Night are focused on conservation information.
Each year, the District conducts a spring tree sale. News articles in local papers focus on the benefit of using field and homestead windbreaks, as well as using trees as filter strips to reduce soil erosion by wind and water. Thousands of trees have been planted in the area as a result of the District's annual tree sale.