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 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 conduct profitable operations. These include information on no-till farming, nitrogen management, pesticides effects on water quality, and the control of invasive species.
Pulaski County farmers have shown 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 combination 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 2,929 acres of cover crops were planted as a result.
By hosting and assisting with county school programs such as Sand Hill Crane Day, Earth Day, Wetland Field Day and Arbor Day; and the Arrowhead Country RC&D sponsored Environthon and River Expedition; the District is educating future leaders of the county. In cooperation with Purdue Extension, Indiana Water Riches is presented to all county fifth grade students. With this five session hands-on course, students learn about water use, the water cycle, surface and ground water, water pollution and water conservation.
The District started selling trees in the spring of 1992. 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. Over $85,000 in tree sells has resulted in thousands of trees planted in the area.