Coles County Soil & Water Conservation District

Office Closed
2017-12-25, 2017-11-23, 2017-11-10 | IL
The Coles Co. SWCD office will be closed for the holiday.

Ag Literacy Committee Meeting
2017-12-13 16:00 - 16:30 UTC | CCSWCD, 6021 Development Drive, Suite 2, Charleston, IL, 61920, United States

Board Meeting
2017-12-12 07:30 - 08:30, 2017-11-14 07:30 - 08:30, 2017-10-10 07:30 - 08:30, 2017-09-12 07:30 - 08:30, 2017-07-11 07:30 - 08:30 | CCSWCD, 6021 Development Drive, Suite 2, Charleston, IL, 61920, United States
The Coles County SWCD board meets on the second Tuesday of every month.

Water Nitrate Testing
2017-12-04 08:00 - 16:30, 2017-11-06 08:00 - 16:30, 2017-08-02 09:00 - 16:00, 2017-07-05 09:00 - 16:00 | CCSWCD, 6021 Development Drive, Suite 2, Charleston, IL, 61920, United States
Free and confidential water nitrate level testing is provided by the Coles County SWCD on the first Wednesday of every month. To test your farm’s tile drainage water, simply bring in a sample and receive your results.
Sampling Instructions:

Sample containers should be clean and free of any residual chemicals or detergents.
Samples need to be at least 8 oz.
Samples should be taken as close to the testing time as possible (preferably within 48 hours) and be kept refrigerated if not being tested immediately.
An estimate of flow will allow additional calculations (load in lbs/day) – simply record the seconds it takes to fill up a bucket of a known volume.

For more information, call the office at 217-345-3901 ext. 3.

Chili Supper
2017-12-02 17:00 - 21:00 | American Legion, 1903 Maple, Mattoon, IL, 61938
Please join us on December 2nd at the American Legion (1903 Maple, Mattoon, IL) for the Coles County SWCD Foundation’s annual Chili Supper, a fundraiser for the scholarship program!
Dinner and the silent auction begin at 5 pm. Returning this year, the Blue Suede Crew will be performing a mix of rock & roll and Christmas music from 7 to 9 pm.
Event Includes:
Live Entertainment
Great Chili
50/50 Raffle
Silent Auction
Bucket Raffles
Tickets are only $15 per person or $25 per couple, and are now available to purchase from any board member and at the Coles County SWCD office (6021 Development Dr., Suite 2, Charleston, IL).
Attention Area Businesses: Donations are currently being accepted for silent auction items. If you would like to donate an item, please contact a board member or stop by the office.

Director Nomination Begins
2017-11-08 08:00 - 16:30 | CCSWCD, 6021 Development Drive, Suite 2, Charleston, IL, 61920, United States
Beginning Wednesday, November 8th, 2017, the Coles County Soil & Water Conservation District will be accepting nominations for three positions on the Board of Directors.
Directors serve a two-year term on the SWCD Board, attend monthly board meetings, and serve on committees. They also review, monitor, and supervise the finances, office personnel, and workload of the SWCD. As time allows, directors are to represent the SWCD at local, regional, state, and national conservation-affiliated organizations, events and meetings.
The governing body of the SWCD consists of five elected Directors. Their purpose is to carry-out in the public’s interest the control and prevention of soil erosion and water pollution. The Directors willingly give of their time to decide what natural resource and agriculture issues in Coles County need to be addressed, what action will be taken, and who is responsible for getting the work done. It is their duty to approve the budget for all funds, approve all payments made by the District, and provide for an annual audit. They are also responsible for personnel management including: job descriptions, performance standards, policies, and benefits while providing direction, motivation, and guidance.
Nominees are required to prove eligibility (proof of residency or land ownership within the boundaries of Coles County) by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17th, 2017, at the Coles Co. SWCD office at 6021 Development Drive, Ste. 2 in Charleston, IL. For more information about the duties and responsibilities, call the office at 217 345-3901 ext. 3.

Fish Order Pick-Up
2017-10-05 08:00 - 10:00 | CCSWCD, 6021 Development Drive, Suite 2, Charleston, IL, 61920, United States
Pick-up is at 8am. Please bring a container to hold your fish! 5-gallon buckets work great.

Fall Fish Sale Orders Due
2017-09-25 | IL
Payment must accompany order. Please make checks payable to Coles Co. SWCD.
Note: Triploid Grass Carp orders are due Monday, September 18th. Carp orders will not be accepted after this date.

Triploid Grass Carp Orders Due
2017-09-18 | IL
Payment must accompany order. Please make checks payable to Coles Co. SWCD. Don’t forget to fill out the table at the BOTTOM of your order form. Triploid Grass Carp are a “controlled” species in Illinois, so this table MUST be completed for all grass carp orders.

Pond Management Seminar
2017-09-06 17:30 - 19:00 | IL
Click here to view or download a printable version of our Pond Management Flyer.
Speaker: Mike Mounce, IDNR Fish Biologist
Topics will include:

Fish Management
Aquatic Plant Control
Fish Species Identification
Stocking Recommendations
Pond Construction
Pond Maintenance

Bring your questions and a chair! Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP for this FREE event or if you have questions, please call the Coles County SWCD at (217) 345-3901 ext 3 or email info@colescountyswcd.org
Directions from Charleston: Take 4th Street South out of town. It’ll become Lincoln Highway Road. After approximately 8 miles, turn left onto County Road 100N (watch for the sign). Follow this road around the turn, and then take the first left onto County Road 80N (watch for the sign). The pond is all the way at the end of the lane.
Directions from Mattoon: Take Rt 16 East out of town. Turn right onto the Lerna Road (at the stoplight). Continue on this road through all of the curves until you get to the Y with Lincoln Highway Road (up to this point, you’ll have followed the signs for all of the Lincoln Historic Sites). Take the left fork of the Y, and then the first right onto road 100N (watch for the sign). Follow this road around the turn, and then take the first left onto County Road 80N (watch for the sign). The pond is all the way at the end of the lane.

As a cooperator of NRCS, SWCD must provide reasonable accommodation to USDA customers with disabilities, where appropriate. Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations for any NRCS or SWCD programs or services should contact Carzella Pritchett, Illinois NRCS’ Disability Emphasis Program Manager at (217) 353-6651 directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis. USDA-NRCS/SWCD are an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Water Nitrate Testing
2017-09-06 09:00 - 16:00 | IL

Labor Day - Office Closed
2017-09-04 | IL

PFC Application Deadline
2017-08-15 | IL
The Coles County SWCD is currently accepting applications for the Partners for Conservation funding program. Practices such as cover crops, well decommissioning, grass waterways, etc., may be eligible for cost-share assistance. Applications must be received by August 15, 2017 for consideration. Please call the office or stop by to find out more.

Board Meeting
2017-08-08 07:30 - 08:30 | IL

Independence Day - Office Closed
2017-07-04 | IL

Memorial Day - Office Closed
2017-05-29 | IL
The Coles County Soil and Water Conservatoin District will be closed on Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial Day.

Prairie Plant Pick-Up
2017-05-26 08:00 - 17:00 | CCSWCD, 6021 Development Drive, Suite 2, Charleston, IL, 61920, United States
Prairie Plants that were pre-ordered will be available for pickup May 24-26th, 8AM-4:30PM

Prairie Plant Pick-Up
2017-05-25 08:00 - 16:30, 2017-05-24 08:00 - 16:30 | IL

Prairie Plant Orders Due
2017-05-17 | CCSWCD, 6021 Development Drive, Suite 2, Charleston, IL, 61920, United States
2017 Prairie Plant Order Form are due to the office by 4:30PM

FREE Spring Tree Workshop
2017-04-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Charleston Carnegie Public Library, 712 6th St, Charleston, IL, 61920, United States
In celebration of Arbor Day (4/28/2017), the Charleston Tree Commission is presenting a free Spring Tree Workshop at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library, Saturday, April 29th 10AM-Noon. Refreshments will be provided.
Presentations:
-Proper tree pruning, tree safety issues, and tree health: Ian Pendergast-White, Certified Arborist
-Proper tree planting and recommended species of tree to plant in a city environment: Kenton Macy, Retired USDA Biologist
-Q&A session from those attending.
