About

Conservation Districts were originally formed during the days of the Dust Bowl, thanks to Hugh Hammond Bennett, to combat the severe erosion problems caused by intense farming practices. 

The Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District was created by the vote of the landowners on August 27, 1947, in accordance with the provisions of the Indiana Soil Conservation Act of 1937. Their purpose is to provide information about soil, water, and related natural resource conservation; identify and prioritize local soil and water resource concerns; and connect land users to sources of educational, technical and financial assistance to implement conservation practices and technologies. 

Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are sub-divisions of state government charged with the task of educating landowners about the protection and conservation of our local natural resources. The SWCDs are governed by a board of 2 appointed and 3 elected supervisors. These supervisors work directly with the community on conservation concerns.

The supervisors combined diverse backgrounds, talents, skills, experiences and knowledge of the natural resource problems in the county helps guide the programs of the district to areas that will prove most beneficial. They identify local soil, water and related natural resource concerns, set natural resource priorities, and then develop, implement and evaluate long and short range plans and programs to address these prioritized resource concerns.