DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, State Senator David Johnson and State Representative Mike May will recognize the Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District at the Iowa Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008.  The District received the Urban, Community and Coastal Resources Excellence Award from the National Association Conservation Districts for the urban conservation work.

Northey will also introduce new Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship employees, including field staff in Polk, Pottawattamie, Johnson and Dickinson Counties, that are focused on urban conservation.

Urban conservation focuses on preventing erosion and improving water quality in runoff from towns and cities by providing information and technical assistance on soil and water conservation methods to land development professionals, city officials, government agencies, and private landowners.

            Who:                Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

                                    David Johnson, Iowa State Senator

                                    Mike May, Iowa State Representative

Urban Conservationist for Polk, Dickinson and Johnson Counties

            Where:            Iowa Capitol, Room 305

            When:              Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, 2:00 p.m.

            What:              Urban Conservation Event

For more information about the event please contact Dustin Vande Hoef with the Iowa Department of Agriculture at 515-281-3375 or 515-326-1616 (cell

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