DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District

08/31/2026

🌱 What is the purpose of a grassed waterway?

When rainfall runs off a field, it naturally follows the path of least resistance. Where water concentrates, it can create channels and eventually develop into serious erosion.

That's where a grassed waterway can help.

Grassed waterways are shaped, vegetated channels designed to safely move concentrated runoff through a field while protecting the soil from erosion.

💧 What do they help with?
• Reduce gully and channel erosion
• Safely convey runoff
• Slow the movement of water
• Reduce sediment entering nearby waterways
• Protect valuable farmland

Instead of fighting the way water naturally moves across the landscape, a grassed waterway works with it.

All pictures are of grassed waterways built in DeKalb County!

08/26/2026

🐟 Triploid Grass Carp are sterile, plant-eating fish commonly stocked to help control excessive aquatic vegetation in ponds and lakes. They feed primarily on submerged plants, reducing the need for chemical or mechanical w**d control and improving overall water usability. Because they do not reproduce, their population can be carefully managed for long-term vegetation control. In suitable waters, Triploid Grass Carp typically grow to 15–30 pounds, with larger fish possible under good conditions.

Interested in adding some to your pond? Find our fish sale information at https://swcdekalbil.org/fish-sale and order by September 18th!

08/24/2026

🌱 What is the purpose of a filter strip?

Have you ever noticed a strip of grass or vegetation along the edge of a field? That may be a filter strip!

Filter strips are planted areas designed to slow and filter runoff before it leaves a field. As water moves through the vegetation, sediment and other pollutants can be trapped before reaching nearby ditches, streams, and rivers.

🌧️ What do they help with?
• Reduce soil erosion and sediment runoff
• Filter nutrients and other pollutants
• Protect nearby waterways
• Provide habitat and food for wildlife

These filter strips have been planted by DeKalb County residents!

08/21/2026

🎣 Our fish sale is BACK!

If your ponds are needing a bit of extra life this season, we can help! In partnership with Andry's Fish Farm, we will be hosting our biannual fish sale pickup on October 2nd, from 2:00-4:00.

Please get all order forms in by September 18th, 2026. Order forms can be found on our website through the QR code or at swcdekalbil.org/fish-sale

Physical forms will be mailed out to those on our mailing list next week!

08/17/2026

🐝 What is the purpose of a pollinator planting?

Pollinator plantings are more than just a beautiful patch of flowers. They provide food, shelter, and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife while also adding conservation benefits to the landscape.

🌼 What do they help with?
• Provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Create habitat for wildlife
• Protect and improve soil health
• Reduce erosion
• Increase plant diversity across the landscape

Native plants are especially valuable because they are adapted to our local environment and can provide resources for wildlife throughout the growing season.

These photos are of plantings DeKalb County residents have completed!

A small planting can make a big difference for the wildlife that depends on our landscapes!

08/14/2026

The DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors gathered for our Summer Outing at the Nicholas and Rosemary Moore Farm, hosted by Associate Director Stan Doty and his wife, Terri. It was a particularly meaningful evening because this is the farm of Terri’s father, Nicholas “Nick” Moore, who passed away last month. Nick was a longtime member and former Chairman of our Board and a true champion for conservation and land stewardship. After a wonderful dinner prepared by Stan and Terri, we climbed aboard the wagon for a tour of the farm 🚜🌿Nick’s commitment to conservation is evident throughout the property. His corn and soybean operation has utilized no-till farming for decades, helping protect soil and reduce erosion. The farm also features carefully designed waterways and buffer strips leading toward the headwaters of Little Rock Creek, which eventually flows into the Fox River. And then there’s the crown jewel: a 20-acre native planting located along the edge of the property where it meets Afton Afton Forest Preserve. Nick intentionally placed the planting there to help extend the wildlife corridor between the two properties, a wonderful example of thinking beyond the boundaries of a single farm and considering the larger landscape! The prairie put on quite a show during our visit, with Brown-Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflowers, Pale Yellow Coneflower, Milkw**d, Blanketflower and so much more in bloom. 🌻🦋 As we rode along the creek and through the conservation areas Nick cared for so deeply, it was easy to see why his land stewardship will be felt for generations. Nick's obituary says that “His land management effort, not just on his own farmland, but throughout the County, will be seen by all for years to come.” We couldn't agree more. We are incredibly grateful to Stan and Terri for welcoming us to the farm and sharing a special evening with us. Most of all, we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Nick’s remarkable legacy and the lasting impact of his commitment to the land.

08/12/2026

Great upcoming opportunity for farmers interested in trying something new!

Join The Land Connection and The IDEA Farm Network at Hoffman Organic Farm for a field walk where we’ll show you four innovative organic cropping systems. Learn about the specialized equipment needed for this operation, hear economic comparisons vs. conventional rotations & leave inspired to try o...

08/06/2026

💧This year, the Central South Branch Kishwaukee River Watershed-Based Plan was approved by the Illinois EPA, bringing watershed planning efforts together for DeKalb County. This plan covers the communities of Genoa, Kirkland, and Kingston and completed our countywide network of watershed-based plans.

Watershed-based plans provide a roadmap for improving and protecting our local water resources by identifying water quality concerns and recommending voluntary, science-based conservation practices. They also help communities and landowners become eligible for implementation funding through state and federal grant programs.

With every watershed in DeKalb County now covered by an approved watershed-based plan, we're better equipped than ever to support conservation projects that improve water quality, reduce flooding, enhance wildlife habitat, and strengthen the health of our local streams and rivers.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the planning process and continues to help turn these plans into action!

🌊Learn more about the areas identified in this plan and in others like it on our inteactive watersheds map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/882289e6bc13401e9a9d2252d996ad19?views=View

08/04/2026

🌱 Construction is underway on another conservation project in DeKalb County! 🚜

We're excited to see work begin on a grassed waterway through our Partners for Conservation (PFC) program.

Grassed waterways are designed to safely carry runoff through areas where water naturally concentrates. By replacing eroding channels with a stable, vegetated waterway, these practices help reduce soil loss, protect valuable farmland, improve water quality, and keep sediment out of our local streams and rivers.

Projects like this are made possible through a combination of technical assistance and cost-share funding. Our staff work one-on-one with landowners to evaluate resource concerns, develop conservation plans, coordinate project design, and guide the installation process. Cost-share funding helps make these projects more affordable, allowing conservation practices to be implemented where they'll have the greatest impact.

Interested in improving your land while protecting our natural resources? Contact the DeKalb County Soil & Water Conservation District to learn how our conservation programs can help make your project a reality.