Dubuque Soil & Water Conservation district 

Stay tuned for more Stewardship Activities 

Dubuque SWCD Celebrates Stewardship Week

Dubuque SWCD, in partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), is celebrating the 71st Annual Stewardship Week from April 26 to May 3, 2026, with the theme “Soil. Where it All Begins.” This week is celebrated nationwide to raise awareness about the critical importance of soil, water, and natural resource conservation, which are essential to the health and sustainability of our environment and communities. Since 1955, Soil and Water Stewardship Week has been an important initiative aimed at educating the public and engaging communities in conservation efforts. With over 100,000 people participating annually, this program has become one of the largest natural resource awareness events in the country.  Dubuque SWCD is a proud member of NACD, which oversees this national program. 

The 2026 theme, “Soil. Where it all Begins.” highlights the fundamental role soil plays in sustaining life. Healthy soil supports food production, filters and stores water, provides habitat for countless organisms, and helps maintain resilient landscapes. Protecting and improving soil health through conservation practices benefits agriculture, wildlife, clean water, and the long-term sustainability of our natural resources. The theme celebrates the power of soil in supporting life in all its forms and underscores soil as the starting point for healthy food, clean water, thriving habitats, and resilient communities. “From backyard gardens to forests to agricultural lands, everything begins with what is beneath our feet,” said NACD President Gary Blair.  “This year’s theme, ‘Soil. Where it All Begins,’ is a reminder that taking care of soil favors everyone, with an increase in nutrients, cleaner water, less flooding, higher agricultural yields, more resiliency, and countless other benefits.”
Dubuque county communities as well as the Supervisors will proclaim the week of April 26 - May 3, 2026, as Stewardship Week. Their proclamations will help raise awareness and inspire conservation efforts that protect and improve our soil resources for future generations. Dubuque SWCD host the Poster Contest for Dubuque County youth, support Beckman's FFA team participating in the Envirothon state competition on Monday April 27, 2026, at Granger, Iowa.  These efforts are designed to raise awareness about the vital role that soil plays in the long-term health of the environment.
Stewardship Week resources celebrating “Soil. Where it All Begins” are available for free download on the NACD website.

2026 Stewardship Week

Soil. Where it all Begins.

​              2026 SWCD Poster Contest

The Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in conjunction with Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) is pleased to announce the annual poster contest. The poster contest is open to public, private and home-schooled students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This years’ theme is “Soil. Where It All Begins.”

Each year winning posters highlight the work of the soil and water conservation districts and the state conservation associations, auxiliaries and agencies to protect and enhance natural resources. The posters will be displayed as part of a national conservation outreach initiative.
Soil. Where It All Begins, celebrates the incredible power of soil to support life in all its 
forms. Soil is not just the ground we walk on. It is the starting point for healthy food, clean water, thriving habitats, and resilient communities. From backyard gardens to forests and city parks, everything begins with what is beneath our feet. When we take care of soil, we are taking care of everything it supports. That is why soil is where it all begins.

The SWCD Commissioners will choose one winning poster from each of the five divisions. The five divisions are as follows: Division 1 – Grades K and 1; Division 2 - Grades 2 and 3; Division 3 - Grades 4 through 6; Division 4 – Grades 7 through 9; Division 5 – Grades 10 through 12. The posters are judged based upon the following criteria: 50% for conservation message; 30% for visual effectiveness; 10% for originality and 10 % for universal appeal. The winner of each division will receive a prize of $25. The Commissioners will then advance the winning posters to the state level and if selected, the poster will be sent on to the national level. Entry forms and rules are available online at www.cdiowa.org/get-involved/poster-contest/ and at the Soil and Water Conservation District’s office or by emailing helen.backes@ia.nacdnet.net . Entry forms must be legible and complete including parental/guardian signature and with the Dubuque SWCD information. Poster entries should be mailed or dropped off at the District office at 210 Bierman Road, Epworth, IA.

Entries need to be received to the District’s office by Friday, May 1, 2026.