Education Programs Overview
NCCSWCD is involved in a number of activities to educate the public, and especially students, about soil and water conservation. These include:
Envirothon
Envirothon is an exciting, fun way for high school students to learn about the environment. It combines in-class curriculum with hands-on field experiences, while demonstrating the role people have in important environmental issues, such as forestry and wildlife management, water quality, and soil erosion. Teams use group oriented problem-solving skills and hands-on field experience while completing the 5 outdoor labs and testing. At each testing station, teams first listen to a presentation by a professional in that field, and then complete a lab and written test. Teams are tested on their knowledge in Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife and a current environmental issue that changes each year. Regional competitions are held annually throughout Illinois.
CLICK HERE for our Envirothon Page for more details
CLICK HERE for our Envirothon Page for more details
Soil & Water Stewardship Week
In 1955, the National Association of Conservation Districts began a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. Stewardship Week is officially celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. It is one of the world's largest conservation-related observances.
The program relies on locally-led conservation districts sharing and promoting stewardship and conservation activities. Many districts provide conservation and stewardship field days, programs, workshops and additional outreach efforts throughout their community to educate citizens about the need to care for our resources.
The Stewardship concept involves personal and social responsibility, including a duty to learn about and improve natural resources as we use them wisely, leaving a rich legacy for future generations.
One definition of Stewardship is "the individual's responsibility to manage his life and property with proper regard to the rights of others." E. William Anderson suggests stewardship "is essentially a synonym for conservation."
Stewardship Week helps to remind us all of the power each person has to conserve natural resources and improve the world.
The program relies on locally-led conservation districts sharing and promoting stewardship and conservation activities. Many districts provide conservation and stewardship field days, programs, workshops and additional outreach efforts throughout their community to educate citizens about the need to care for our resources.
The Stewardship concept involves personal and social responsibility, including a duty to learn about and improve natural resources as we use them wisely, leaving a rich legacy for future generations.
One definition of Stewardship is "the individual's responsibility to manage his life and property with proper regard to the rights of others." E. William Anderson suggests stewardship "is essentially a synonym for conservation."
Stewardship Week helps to remind us all of the power each person has to conserve natural resources and improve the world.
Photo of Aldo Leopold from the website where you can learn more about him:
https://www.aldoleopold.org/
https://www.aldoleopold.org/
Soil & Water Stewardship Scholarship Program
The Soil and Water Stewardship
Scholarship seeks to provide financial
support to students enrolled fulltime at
an accredited two or four-year
community college, college, or
university, which will lead to a career in
a natural resource field. It was formerly called the Leopold Education Scholarship. It is administered by the Northeastern Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts.
Funding for this scholarship was made
available from the Leopold Education
Project, an educational program based
on the works of noted conservationist
and author Aldo Leopold. Leopold’s
philosophy and land ethic created a
foundation for modern conservation.
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
• Be a resident in one of the following Illinois Counties: Boone, DeKalb, Kane, McHenry,
Winnebago, Cook, DuPage, Lake, or Will
• Be a high school senior or high school graduate (diplomas or GED)
• Be enrolled or will be enrolled no later than the fall session following application in a
fulltime course of study such as fish and wildlife biology, conservation education,
biology, ecology, forestry, hydrology, soils, pollution control, etc.
• Have at least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
Application must be received by 4:30 pm on February 15th of each year. Application Form
For more information please contact Lori Hargett at: l.hargett@northcookswcd.org
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
• Be a resident in one of the following Illinois Counties: Boone, DeKalb, Kane, McHenry,
Winnebago, Cook, DuPage, Lake, or Will
• Be a high school senior or high school graduate (diplomas or GED)
• Be enrolled or will be enrolled no later than the fall session following application in a
fulltime course of study such as fish and wildlife biology, conservation education,
biology, ecology, forestry, hydrology, soils, pollution control, etc.
• Have at least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
Application must be received by 4:30 pm on February 15th of each year. Application Form
For more information please contact Lori Hargett at: l.hargett@northcookswcd.org
2023 Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship Winner
Sofia Bellisario has
been selected to receive the $1,400 Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship from
the Northeastern Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Sofia’s
academic and career plans fall in line with the intent and purpose of the
scholarship. Sofia’s academic record, extra curricula activities,
accomplishments and community services continue to demonstrate her interest and
enthusiasm in the protection of our natural resources. Sofia has chosen a
course of study that we are sure will help better our environment.
Sofia Bellisario is a senior at Maine South
High School who will be attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in
fall 2023. She will major in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences to
prepare for a career as a field researcher. Through her future work, she hopes
to solve sustainability problems that affect rainforest ecosystems. She is an
active member of National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Social
Science Honor Society, Key Club, Environmental Club, and Women in STEM. She
also serves as an ambassador for Brookfield Zoo through the King Conservation
Science Scholars program. Her hobbies include sewing and learning Spanish and
German.
Seminars & Workshops
From time to time NCCSWCD presents or participates in educational seminars and workshops.
CLICK HERE for more information when a program is available