Meet Your Conservationists Register

Date and Time:
Wed, Nov 20, 2024; 6:30 PM (Central)

Organized By: Heart Of Illinois Group

Location: Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 N Forest Park Dr, Peoria Heights, IL 61616, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Robert Rowe
   rowe@bradley.edu
   (309) 270-2575

Josh Joseph and Pete Fandel. Photos: Robert Rowe

MEETING TYPE:  In-Person / Virtual

Come and meet two of our community’s top conservation professionals and find out how they are educating the public and helping residents and landowners while working to protect our natural resources. Doors open at 6:15 for a "meet and greet" with refreshments. Program and streaming begins at 6:30.

Josh Joseph is a Conservation Specialist with the Peoria County Soil and Water Conservation District. His job is to provide free assistance to landowners with state and federal conservation programs that help to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and increase wildlife habitat. On the day the photo above was taken, he was in the field using laser surveying equipment to create a precise blueprint for an improved structure to mitigate erosion and nutrient run-off.

Pete Fandel is Professor of Agriculture at Illinois Central College where he is a researcher studying water quality and soil management and teaches courses in soil science, crop science and livestock evaluation. He spent 18 years with the U of I Extension service working with crop production, soil and soil fertility, integrated pest management, and global positioning systems. He is also a farmer.

Topics that will be discussed include water quality testing, funding cuts state-wide for Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and an update on the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission's year-long study of the Kickapoo Creek watershed. Ask them questions and learn about what resources are available to the public and what you can do to ensure their work continues. 

Please register to receive the Zoom link for the virtual presentation of this event.