The Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District (LSWCD) has been serving Lucas County citizens for 60 years. It was founded May 8, 1964 and was the last of the 88 LSWCDs to be created in Ohio.
Through the years, LSWCD has evolved and grown, and currently works with more than 80 local partner agencies.
Its mission is to provide leadership for conservation of soil, water and other resources in the county through education, information and technical assistance.
As a result of the Dust Bowl Storm in 1934, soil and water conservation districts were created, leading to a new era in soil conservation nationwide. Like today, much of the work at that time was completed by technicians and engineers working with farmers on best management practices to reduce erosion and ultimately, protect the nation’s precious soil resource.
In the ever-changing landscape of society, the LSWCD focuses not only on soil but also on water and strives to help farmers and landowners make choices that will protect and preserve this resource.
While conservation districts are a subdivision of government, there is no mandated public budget for the LSWCD. Its conservation work depends on voluntary funding from the county commissioners, local townships and municipalities, acquiring grants and private donors.
Today, a staff of seven and board of five publicly-elected officials, serve more than 400,000 county citizens.
They provide free educational programming for all ages on a wide range of environmental topics. The LSWCD also promotes best management practices for soil and water quality through its work alongside farmers and landowners on agricultural fields, drainage ditches and suburban yards.
The district also offers convenient and affordable ways to buy native trees and plants, rain barrels, soil test kits, fish and more through annual sales.
Unique for 2024, LSWCD, along with several other local agencies, is hosting the first-ever Lucas County Farm Connection on July 2 at MacQueen Orchards in Holland, The community is invited to celebrate what is “home grown” in the county.
For more information, visit LucasSWCD.org.
