Rural
Our Polk County farmers and landowners in the rural areas play a key role in preserving our natural resources. Whether you own a small residential acreage or make a living farming there are plenty of ways that you can help!
A defined area of land where every drop of water drains into a common place such as a river, lake, or wetland. Watersheds impact our drinking water, recreational opportunities, and essential habitat for wildlife. Polk SWCD has spent decades partnering with farmers, landowners, and urban residents to address local watershed issues to improve water quality and soil health. Everyone lives in a watershed and can play a role in protecting them!
The Polk Soil and Water Conservation District provides leadership to help people improve, conserve, and sustain our natural resources.
Our Polk County farmers and landowners in the rural areas play a key role in preserving our natural resources. Whether you own a small residential acreage or make a living farming there are plenty of ways that you can help!
As an urban resident you make up the largest portion of Polk County and play a vital role in stormwater management. You can have a big impact on our environment even if you live in a downtown apartment or own a small residential lot.
Local leaders make important decisions on how to conserve our natural resources in all areas of the county. These decision makers can include city staff, elected officials, agency partners, and developers as well as many others.
Below are some of our latest stories and projects.
The Polk County Soil & Water Conservation District is happy to announce that we are hiring an Easter Lake Project Coordinator!
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The Polk Soil & Water Conservation District is happy to announce we are hiring f...
Summer is here which means warmer weather and a great time to garden! With the new and unprecedented times we are facing, The Rain Campaign has cre...
What is the #RainCampaign? The rain campaign is a localized effort by communities across the Des Moines metro, led by the Polk Soil & Water Con...
The Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District along with Conservation Districts of Iowa and National Association of Conservation Districts a...
Conservation Districts of Iowa is sponsoring the conservation and agriculture scholarships again in 2019. The scholarships are offered to graduatin...
The Monarch Butterfly is an iconic pollinator species throughout the nation due to their beauty and incredible annual migration pattern. Each year ...
Fourmile Creek drains across 76,000 acres starting in the agricultural fields of Story County, eventually draining through the City of Ankeny and o...
Protecting Pollinators! Not only do native plants provide a great way to reduce runoff and improve water quality, they also provide the necessary h...
In cooperation with several community partners, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) completed the Greater Des Moines Water...
Cover crops are becoming more and more popular with Iowa producers due to their numerous benefits. Weather can play a large role in how successful ...
Kurt Lehman, a producer in the Fourmile Creek Watershed, has recently installed a bioreactor and saturated buffer on his farm north of Ankeny. Thes...
Rainscape Your Property! Homeowners can landscape to beautify their property and improve water quality. A variety of practices include rain barrels...
The landscape of 53,000-acre Walnut Creek Watershed flows from the farm fields to the west into growing residential neighborhoods and business dist...
Erosion, especially on steep areas, is a common environmental issue seen throughout Polk County. One of the conservation practices that can help re...
The Polk Soil and Water Conservation District had a busy and exciting 2017! We welcomed two new commissioners; Kyle Riley and Katie Rock. Kyle Rile...
Below are our upcoming events.
Polk SWCD Board Meeting
Polk SWCD Board Meeting
Polk SWCD Board Meeting
Polk SWCD Board Meeting
Polk SWCD Board Meeting
Polk SWCD Board Meeting
Polk SWCD Board Meeting
Polk SWCD Board Meeting
Polk SWCD Board Meeting
Polk SWCD Board Meeting