Susan Marquart, PACD

Gov. Rendell this week proclaimed Soil and Water Stewardship Week in Pennsylvania-- April 27-May 4 and helping to celebrate were the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and the State Conservation Commission at the Stoneylawn Farm in Dauphin County.

The theme of this year's observance is "Water is Life."

"Gov. Rendell is proclaiming Soil and Water Stewardship Week to remind all Pennsylvanians of our responsibility to be good stewards of the land," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "The agricultural industry is doing its part by using sound conservation practices to protect our soils and waterways for generations to come."

In the proclamation, the Governor urged all Pennsylvanians to recognize the importance of ensuring that we are wise stewards of our water and soil resources for generations to come. The proclamation states that it is every citizen's duty to live responsibly, protecting these soils and water for the future.

It also says that landowners, homeowners, farmers, and businesses have benefited from the help of Pennsylvania's sixty-six county conservation districts with more than 800 volunteer directors to help conserve vital soil and water resources, providing the state's citizens with a better quality of life.

The proclamation also praises local conservation districts for excelling at reminding all Pennsylvanians of the power of each person to conserve natural resources and improve the world.

PACD supports the awareness campaign to educate the public about the importance of responsible soil and water stewardship. Participation in Soil and Water Stewardship Week activities offers an opportunity to reflect on the state's renewable resource problems and consider actions to resolve them or reduce their impact.

"The quality of life for Americans is deeply affected by conserving our natural resources," said Susan Marquart, executive director of the PACD (pictured above). "We all need to realize the importance of water in our everyday life. That is why we are promoting conservation during Soil and Water Stewardship Week."

What can we do? Become aware of the water quality and quantity in your community. Sometimes we only think of the direct uses of water in our daily lives such as cooking, bathing, and watering our plants. Water is also needed to manufacture the steel in the car you drive, and to grow the cotton in the blue jeans you wear.

Try these ideas to improve water quality and quantity:

· Save water by using dishwashers and washing machines only when they are fully loaded. Install a water-saving shower head and take short showers instead of baths;

· Wash cars infrequently and on the lawn so soapy water can be absorbed instead of running off into storm sewers;

· Use lawn and garden chemicals carefully. Read and follow all label directions. Use chemicals only as a last resort;

· Never apply more fertilizer than your lawn needs. Excess nutrients can runoff and add to water pollution; and

· Clean up pet wastes to prevent nutrients and bacteria from washing into waterways.

"Soil and Water Stewardship Week helps remind us that we can all make a difference in conserving resources," said Marquart.

Soil and Water Stewardship Week is one of the largest national annual programs to promote conservation. For the past fifty-three years, a national network of conservation districts has helped Americans learn to conserve natural resources on a local level through this program.

To learn more, visit the Soil and Water Stewardship Week webpage.

5/2/2008