(SPRINGFIELD) As Illinois lawmakers enter the final weeks of budget negotiations before the May 31st deadline, Southern Illinois conservation leader Dale Shumaker is urging state leaders to reach a bipartisan solution that fully supports Illinois’ Soil & Water Conservation Districts before more local conservation capacity is lost. Serving as President of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD), the Pulaski County farmer says the current and future funding concerns must be addressed within all 97 Conservation Districts in Illinois. Senate Bill 4044 would help by creating a dedicated conservation funding stream through a one-time, and one-time only, farmland conversion fee. For more details, go to the aiswcd.org website.
