Soil and Water Conservation Society

Clare is officially in DC! While she's there, she will be speaking with leadership about the important work conservation professionals are doing and the challenges they face today. Clare wants to hear from YOU, and we have two great ways you can make your voice heard! Join us next week for the Conservation Voices webinar to get an update on what she has been working on in DC, ask questions, and share your experiences. Learn more and register here: https://ow.ly/WLtk50VkT5U If funding cuts or program terminations have affected you, share your story to help us advocate and support your needs. All submissions will be anonymous. https://ow.ly/1QlG50VkT5T

SWCS is amplifying your voices and advocating for you. As CEO Clare Lindahl heads to DC, we’ve asked members and conservation professionals to share their stories. Your experiences will shape our efforts at SWCS and key discussions on conservation challenges and impact. Here is one story from a conservation professional: “...my position focused on establishing a framework to support urban growers, small-scale farmers, and land conservation efforts. This initiative laid the foundation for integrating soil health principles, conservation practices, and technical assistance tailored to the unique challenges of urban and small-acreage farming. Due to terminations and withheld program funding, essential staff training initiatives will not be carried out, limiting the ability of conservation professionals to provide technical assistance and support to urban and small-scale farmers. Without this training, critical knowledge on soil health, resource conservation, and sustainable land management will not be effectively transferred, leaving gaps in agricultural education and outreach.” We will continue to share these stories to amplify your voice and highlight the impact of conservation professionals. If funding cuts or program terminations have affected you, share your story to help us advocate and support your needs. All submissions will be anonymous. https://lnkd.in/gVYhi7XA #ConservationMatters

Job seekers—ready to kickstart your search? Join Student Professional Development Session 12: Job Search Strategies – Finding Your Perfect Fit and gain expert insights to land the right opportunity! ?? Date: March 13, 2025 ? Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (ET) ?? Location: Virtual Event Hosted by MANRRS, The National Association of Conservation Districts, and SWCS, this session is perfect for students in natural resources conservation, environmental science, biology, agriculture, soil science, hydrology, and beyond! Learn more and register here: https://ow.ly/N5Of50VgM0e

Are you in need of financial assistance to continue your education, update your skill set, or strengthen a resume? Consider applying for one or more of SWCS's scholarships here: www.swcs.org/scholarships. Apply by March 14!

The second year of our Emerging Leaders Program is well underway and that means our leaders have begun planning and hosting their conservation-focused events as part of their program curriculum. Emerging Leader Haleigh Summers is an Agricultural Geospatial Data Scientist with the Sand County Foundation and recently hosted her event "Leadership for Midwestern Watersheds: Growing the Farmer Leader Model." This event brought together watershed coordinators and farmer leaders to share experiences and learn new approaches for locally driven regenerative agriculture initiatives in their watersheds. Haleigh shares, "The feedback from the Leadership for Midwestern Watersheds forum has been overwhelmingly positive. The event successfully fostered meaningful dialogue about conservation, and the participation of farmer leaders added significant value to the discussions. The audience was active and engaged, eager to learn and collaborate." Congrats to Haleigh for a successful, thought-provoking event!

Do you know an individual or organization that is a leader in natural resource conservation and sustainability? Get their hard work recognized and nominate them for one or more of SWCS's awards opportunities here: www.swcs.org/awards. Submit your nominations by March 14!

Conservation professionals play a critical role in shaping the future of our natural resources. But who ensures their voices are heard in national policy discussions? Each spring, SWCS CEO Clare Lindahl brings the perspectives of conservation professionals to Washington, DC. We invite you to join Clare and SWCS Strategic and Policy Advisor Rachel Owen for a pivotal webinar that connects conservation work to decision-making at the highest level. ?? Date: March 25 ?? Time: 1-2 PM CT ?? Location: Webinar What You’ll Gain: ?? Key Policy Updates – Insights into the latest legislative developments impacting conservation programs and professionals. ?? Partner Perspectives – Learn about the priorities and initiatives shaping the future of conservation. ?? Your Voice in DC – Engage in dialogue that directly informs ongoing policy discussions. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and share your perspective! Register now: https://ow.ly/ImMK50V9Cw0

Last chance to get your application in for our Student Leader Project Intern position for summer 2025! Apply here by end of day tomorrow 2/28: https://lnkd.in/dWghzfJf

?? You're Invited! Join SWCS CEO Clare Lindahl and your peers for a conservation networking event to connect, share, and support one another. This is an informal gathering of dynamic individuals whose contributions are creating a bright future for agriculture, the environment, and society! ?? Where: Soil and Water Conservation Society Headquarters ?? Address: 945 SW Ankeny Road, Ankeny, Iowa 50023 ?? When: Thursday, February 27 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. CT *Members - This event follows our virtual member forum. We hope to see you there! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gN7pXwnS

Do you know a someone deserving of recognition for their contributions to conservation? Give their work a spotlight by nominating them for one of SWCS's awards. The deadline for nominations is March 14! View all awards and nomination information here: https://lnkd.in/gWMCcYy5