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The Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District will be holding a general election of directors on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Polling places will be established at 1201 S. Gougar Road in New Lenox, IL 60451 and remain open from 7 am until 5:30 pm. Our Annual Meeting will be held on March 11, 2026 at 9 am at the district office at 1201 S. Gougar Road in New Lenox, IL 60451.

To all persons of legal voting age who own or reside on land located within the boundaries of the Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District: Beginning on December 15, 2025, nominations will be accepted for the two year term of the office of Director of the Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District at the District's Office at 1201 S. Gougar Road, New Lenox, IL 60451 during our normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To be considered for nomination as a candidate for the office of Director, nominees must provide proof of residency or ownership of land located within the boundaries of the District. Interested persons must respond by 4:30 p.m. on January 22, 2026.

In the spring of 2026, the Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District will be awarding three $2,000 scholarships to Will or South Cook County students who plan to major in an agriculture or natural resource-related field at an accredited college or school of higher learning. The purpose of these scholarships is to further the cause of soil, water, and natural resource conservation by helping deserving students pursue the subject at an advanced level.   Scholarship winners will be announced in March 2026. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the institution for the second term of the 2026-2027 school year.   Applications are available at www.will-scookswcd.org or at the SWCD district office. To be considered for the scholarship, all materials must be received by the office by February 27, 2026.

The Issert Family Farm, operated by Steve Issert of Wilmington, was named the winner of the 2025 Illinois Conservation Farm Family Award at the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) Summer Conference on July 21, 2025. Steve Issert operates the farm with help from his wife Debbie and their daughters Janene Issert, Raechel Giradot, Lauren Schmidt, and their families. This award, sponsored by the AISWCD, recognizes farm families for outstanding conservation practices and dedication to environmental stewardship. The Issert family was nominated by Will-South Cook Soil & Water Conservation District after they received the organization’s 2024 Conservation Farm Family Award at the district level. Following the AISWCD Summer Conference, the Isserts were honored at Will-South Cook SWCD’s Annual Recognition Dinner on July 31. On August 8, the family and representatives from Will-South Cook SWCD attended the Ag Day Breakfast at the Illinois State Fair, where Director Jerry Costello of the Illinois Department of Agriculture recognized the Issert family’s dedication to conservation.

The Will-South Cook SWCD is pleased to announce the three winners of our conservation education scholarship awards. These students will receive a $2000 scholarship and be honored at the SWCD’s Annual Recognition Dinner on July 31, Amanda Mezydlo is the 2025 recipient of the Richard “Dick” McHugh Memorial Scholarship. Amanda is the daughter of Simon and Cheryl Mezydlo of Peotone. She is a graduate of Peotone High School and plans to attend Loyola University in the fall. Amanda has been active in Student Council, FFA, National Honor Society Best Buddies, Environmental Action Club, and Choir throughout high school. Clara Bernhard is the 2025 recipient of the Allan May Memorial Scholarship. She is the daughter of Carl and Joanne Bernhard of Elwood and graduated from Lincoln-Way West High School. Clara plans to attend the University of Illinois this fall to pursue a degree in food science. She is an Illinois State Scholar and has been involved with National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Math Honor Society at her school. Natalie Esposito is the 2025 recipient of the Burton Barr Memorial Scholarship. Natalie is the daughter of Joseph and Bridget Esposito of New Lenox. She is a graduate of Lincoln-Way West High School. Natalie plans to study animal science and earn her DVM in wildlife medicine. She is an Illinois State Scholar and a member of National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Environmental Action Club, Be the Change Club, as well as participating in soccer and volleyball.

The Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a poster contest for grades K-12! The winner of our local district’s contest will be entered into the state level competition this summer. Posters must be at least 8.5 x 11 inches, and no larger than 22 x 28 inches. Team projects are not permitted- each poster must be created by an individual student. The 2025 theme, “Home is Where the Habitat Is” must be included in full on the front of each poster to be eligible for the contest. Entries are due to the Will-South Cook SWCD office by May 9, 2025, and winners will be announced on May 15, 2025. If you have any questions, please reach out to the SWCD office at (815)462-3106 extension 3.

On February 14, 2025, the Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District hosted a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop at the District office in New Lenox. County Board members, Land Use staff, and contractors all had the chance to listen to a presentation from Todd Bennett of the Illinois EPA about the inspection process and best management practices on construction sites, as well as stormwater management.

On February 12, 2025, the election results were announced during the general board meeting of the Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District. Re-elected to the board are Rob Ogalla of Will Township and Traci Jungles of Troy Township for a two (2) year term. Other directors, whose terms will expire in 2026, include Jim Robbins of Peotone Township, Roger Bettenhausen of Green Garden Township, and Corey Johnson of Peotone Township. The District is currently soliciting Associate Directors interested in volunteering to assist in resource conservation efforts in Will County and South Cook County. Interested individuals should contact Debbie Crawford at (815)462-3106 x 3 or email deb.crawford@will-scookswcd.org .

The Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District is now taking orders for the Spring 2025 Tree and Fish Sale! Order forms are available on the district website ( will-scookswcd.org ), or can be picked up at the District office during business hours. The District has a wide variety of plants, shrubs, and trees available this spring. Stocks range in size from 12 inches to 5-foot linear stock, and in one, two, or five-gallon containers. Fish varieties for sale include: Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, Triploid Grass Carp, Rainbow Trout, Bluegill and minnows. Fish orders must be received by Tuesday, March 18 . Grass Carp orders require the permit information on the bottom of the form to be filled in completely. Tree orders are due by Friday, March 28 . All orders are prepaid only. Tree orders will be available for pick-up April 11th and 12th during business hours and April 13th from 11 am - 2 pm. Fish orders will be available for pick-up on Saturday, April 12 from 11 am –2 pm only. Pick-up is located at the Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District Office, 1201 S. Gougar Road, New Lenox. For more information or order forms, please call (815) 462-3106, ext. 3 or email us at info@will-scookswcd.org .

In the spring of 2025, the Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District will be awarding three $2,000 scholarships to Will or South Cook County students who plan to major in an agriculture or natural resource-related field at an accredited college or school of higher learning. The purpose of these scholarships is to further the cause of soil, water, and natural resource conservation by helping deserving students pursue the subject at an advanced level. Applications are available at www.will-scookswcd.org  or at the SWCD district office. To be considered for the scholarship, all materials must be received by the office by February 28, 2025.

To all persons of legal voting age who own or reside on land located within the boundaries of the Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District: Beginning on December 15, 2024, nominations will be accepted for the two year term of the office of Director of the Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District at the District’s Office located at 1201 S. Gougar Road, New Lenox, IL 60451 during our normal business hours of 8 am to 4:30 pm. To be considered for nomination as a candidate for the office of Director, nominees must provide proof of residency or ownership of land located within the boundaries of the District. Interested persons must respond by 4 pm on January 24, 2025.

The Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District would like to offer all past Conservation Farm Family Award winners the opportunity to replace their signs at a reduced cost. The total cost of each sign is $179, and the SWCD will pay 50% of the replacement cost. If you are interested in replacing your farm's sign, please contact the district office. We can be reached by phone at (815)462-3106 ext. 3 or via email at info@will-scookswcd.org .