Soil and Water Conservation Society

Soil and Water Conservation Society Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Soil and Water Conservation Society, Nonprofit Organization, Ankeny, IA.

SWCS is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization that serves as an advocate for conservation professionals and for science-based conservation practice, programs, and policy.

That’s a wrap on Conservation Professionals Week! 💚This week, we loved seeing your stories, photos, and passion on displ...
09/04/2026

That’s a wrap on Conservation Professionals Week! 💚

This week, we loved seeing your stories, photos, and passion on display across the country and around the world. The work you do isn't just a job—it’s a legacy for future generations.

To every researcher, field planner, technician, educator, and land steward working to protect our soil and water: thank you. From early mornings in the field to late hours advocating for natural resources, conservation professionals are the people who power real, lasting change.

From all of us at the Soil and Water Conservation Society, thank you for all that you do to care for our land and water!

Another participant of the Student Poster Contest was Sarah Patterson, who tied for second place with her poster, “Dirty...
09/04/2026

Another participant of the Student Poster Contest was Sarah Patterson, who tied for second place with her poster, “Dirty Pictures: Art-Based Soil Education.” Sarah is a PhD Candidate at the University of Minnesota researching the fascinating root-soil-microbe dynamics in CRP easements across Minnesota's Driftless region!

From her days running a "save the bees" club in high school to studying aqueous geochemistry and root phenotyping, Sarah’s passion for the environment runs deep. Inspired by childhood outdoor adventures with her dad, she now works to connect aboveground management decisions to long-term belowground soil health.

Here are a few highlights about Sarah:

Creativity in Conservation: Sarah recently led a 6-day soil education workshop at a local Montessori school, where students learned soil basics and painted using natural soils collected across Minnesota!
Fun Fact: Before starting her PhD in the Soil Health Lab, she was a dance teacher!
Future Goals: After graduation, Sarah aims to become a college professor to mentor and inspire the next generation of environmental scientists.

Sarah is eager to connect with others passionate about bringing soil science into K-12 classrooms. If you're working on soil education outreach, reach out to her at [email protected]! 📩

Thank you for all you do, Sarah!

During the most recent SWCS annual conference, students participated in the Student Poster Contest. Judges ranked poster...
09/04/2026

During the most recent SWCS annual conference, students participated in the Student Poster Contest. Judges ranked posters using a scorecard that evaluated design, succinctness, scientific merit, and engagement aspects of the posters. The first place winner of the Student Poster Contest was Melanie Earl for her poster, “New Tools for Measuring Soil Color: Impacts on Wetland Delineation.” Learn more about Melanie:

“My name is Melanie Earl and I am a third year PhD student in agronomy at Kansas State University. I am originally from a small town outside of Philadelphia and I received my bachelor's degree in biology from Delaware Valley University. My research focuses on dark wetland soils and redox feature color changes throughout the Midwest. I first became interested in conservation when I was in high school through hiking and my love of animals and nature and I wanted to pursue a career that could help protect that. After graduation, I hope to build a career in research and academia as a professor.”

Congratulations, Melanie!

🌱 Emerging Leader Spotlight: Engr. Muhammad Danish MajeedMeet Muhammad Danish Majeed of the Soil and Water Conservation ...
09/03/2026

🌱 Emerging Leader Spotlight: Engr. Muhammad Danish Majeed

Meet Muhammad Danish Majeed of the Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute [SAWCRI] in Punjab, Pakistan. Muhammad is a participant in SWCS’s Emerging Leaders Program and recently shared his conservation journey with us:

“Across seven years and three research institutions – the Climate and Flood Monitoring Lab, the Agricultural Remote Sensing Lab, and now the Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute (SAWCRI) – my work has centered on Punjab's exposure to climate-driven extremes, floods and droughts alike, across both irrigated and rainfed tracts. In the rainfed zones, where the monsoon offers only a brief and unpredictable window of rainfall, conservation is not an accessory to agriculture but its foundation. I work on digital and smart transformation solutions for land and water resources under severe climatic stress, translating remote-sensing evidence and field data into structures and practices that deliver resilient ecosystems.

From rainwater-harvesting ponds, field-scale rainwater harvesting solutions, underground water storage/harvesting systems to precision irrigation systems in rainfed fields, each intervention is a small act of resilience, and together they form a system of adaptation that rural communities can depend on for effective mitigation of drastic changes.”

We asked members of SWCS how they got their start in conservation. Here’s one story from Steve Konrady, nonpoint source ...
09/03/2026

We asked members of SWCS how they got their start in conservation. Here’s one story from Steve Konrady, nonpoint source coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (and member of the SWCS Iowa Chapter):

“My Conservation Origin Story started young; I was a big animal fan who obsessively watched Wild Discovery and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. I also had the good fortune of being the baby of the family, and both parents were “mostly” retired by the time I was a teen. That led to an expansive exploration of the natural world, mostly in state and county parks across the Midwest, US National Parks, and frequent fishing and hunting trips.

When it was time to go to college, I had the brilliant idea to go into computer science (good jobs) but lasted only a semester before being called back to nature with degrees in natural resources interpretation and fisheries biology. It was a longer, bumpier road from there into water quality and the welcoming arms of the SWCS community, but I still retain that love of nature that drives me both professionally and personally. Nature often relies on folks like us in SWCS and other organizations to protect it from human destruction so it can survive and hopefully thrive.”

Thanks for sharing your story, Steve!

We begin Day 4 of Conservation Professionals Week celebrating the career and contributions of this year’s SWCS Hugh Hamm...
09/03/2026

We begin Day 4 of Conservation Professionals Week celebrating the career and contributions of this year’s SWCS Hugh Hammond Bennett Award winner, Rob Myers.

Rob has spent his career helping farmers, researchers, educators, and policymakers understand the value of cover crops and healthy soils—and turning that knowledge into action.

As director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and professor of plant sciences at the University of Missouri, Rob has been a national leader in advancing cover crops through research, education, and policy. His work includes developing widely used educational resources including a national cover crop training program for more than 800 agricultural professionals, contributing to 154 conservation publications, and helping shape USDA soil health and cover crop policy.

His influence extends across the conservation community, from organizing national cover crop and soil health conferences to contributing to the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. His leadership, scholarship, and service have made a lasting impact on the field.

SWCS is proud to recognize Rob Myers as the 2026 recipient of the Hugh Hammond Bennett Award. Congratulations, Rob! 👏

✨ Member Spotlight: Meg LeaderA dedicated SWCS member and chapter leader, Meg Leader (Resilient Indiana Program Director...
09/02/2026

✨ Member Spotlight: Meg Leader

A dedicated SWCS member and chapter leader, Meg Leader (Resilient Indiana Program Director, Indiana Association of SWCD) is a regular SWCS conference volunteer and presenter and has been a strong advocate for the Emerging Leaders Program, helping connect conservation professionals in Indiana to leadership development opportunities. This year SWCS proudly awarded Meg the Chair’s Leadership Award for her lasting contributions to conservation and the future of our Society.

We recently asked Meg to share how she got started in conservation:

“I grew up on a 100 acre hobby farm in Upstate New York. For a long time I thought I wanted to be a vet. As a teenager, I rambled all over our land, as well as the nearby state forest. When I realized I didn’t like my chances of getting into vet school, I switched to civil engineering. After a break to raise our kids, I found my way to working for a District office. While the technical knowledge of my engineering degree guides a lot of what I do, it is shaped by my youth on that farm.”

Thank you for all you do, Meg!

Emerging Leader Program (ELP) participant Alisha Adams recently interviewed Ramon Salazar, a district conservationist wi...
09/02/2026

Emerging Leader Program (ELP) participant Alisha Adams recently interviewed Ramon Salazar, a district conservationist with USDA NRCS, about his career in conservation. Take a look!

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in conservation?

Witnessing the environmental issues going on across the globe sparked my passion in conservation. I always gravitated toward understanding the effects it can have on the quality of life and well-being for humans. Throughout my life, I developed genuine enthusiasm to immerse myself in nature.

2. What is something that you wish more people understood about your work?

From time to time, a client may ask me for guidance on conservation issues that are beyond my primary area of expertise. I am always happy to connect them with my colleagues who have specialized knowledge in those fields. However, I believe it’s important for clients to understand that most conservationists possess a general foundation of knowledge across multiple disciplines, rather than deep mastery in just one discipline.

3. How do you stay connected to purpose and avoid burnout in this field?

My connection with the natural world motivates me to seek solutions that benefit both people and the planet. I consistently prioritize a healthy balance between work and personal life, as I find genuine relief and restoration when I engage with others and pursue hobbies beyond my professional responsibilities.

4. What advice would you give to someone starting a career in conservation?

For those beginning a career in conservation, especially within the federal government, it's important to understand that scientific knowledge alone doesn't determine success. While a strong grasp of science is certainly valuable, navigating bureaucratic processes and adapting to frequent organizational changes are equally crucial. These shifts within agencies can significantly influence how effective your work will be and shape the reach of your impact.

The SWCS Emerging Leaders Program is an immersive, interdisciplinary leadership experience designed to cultivate the nex...
09/02/2026

The SWCS Emerging Leaders Program is an immersive, interdisciplinary leadership experience designed to cultivate the next generation of conservation leaders. It blends structured learning, mentorship, and hands-on engagement to build resilient, mission-driven professionals. Divya Kandanool, postdoctoral research associate at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and member of the 2026 ELP cohort, shared some of her reflections on the program:

“I learned that I enjoy connecting with people from different backgrounds and that building professional relationships is an important part of leadership. The program also helped me recognize my ability to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.… My biggest takeaway was the value of networking and learning from experienced professionals. The connections and perspectives I gained broadened my understanding of leadership and career development in conservation and related fields.… The program reinforced the importance of professional growth beyond technical expertise. It motivated me to build a stronger professional network and approach my career with a broader leadership perspective.”

Thanks for sharing your experience, Divya!

🚨 New merch alert! We’ve released a brand new shirt to celebrate Conservation Professionals Week – find it and other des...
09/01/2026

🚨 New merch alert! We’ve released a brand new shirt to celebrate Conservation Professionals Week – find it and other designs at www.swcs.org/merch. Whether you’re in the field, the classroom, or the office, conservation never goes out of style.

Address

Ankeny, IA

Telephone

+15152892331

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Soil and Water Conservation Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Soil and Water Conservation Society:

Shortcuts

Share

Category