Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts

News Release

Contact: Stacy Stremsterfer, Education Coordinator, (217) 744-3414

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2007

Employee Honored for Leadership and Dedication to Soil and Water Conservation Districts

SPRINGFIELD, IL, July 31, 2007—At the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) 59th Annual Meeting and Illinois Land and Water Resources Conference held at the Presidential Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, Illinois, a Henry County soil and water conservation district (SWCD) employee was honored as Outstanding Employee for the state.

Sharon Matson, from Henry County SWCD has been employed as the Administrative Coordinator for the past eight years and has been a valuable asset to the District and NRCS/SWCD staff during this time. Sharon is extremely organized, keeping on top of several varied projects and completing them all on time, which proved very beneficial when the district was down to one office employee. She stepped in to cover some of the duties and responsibilities of that employee and made sure that all Programs continued as planned and were very successful and well attended.

Sharon’s leadership helps the District stay current with the latest advances in information and technology, provide a county wide recycling program, assist other local units of government and organizations and provide quality Programs to protect Henry County's natural resources.

Through Sharon’s continued efforts and accomplishments, the Henry County SWCD is stronger, well organized and appreciated by everyone she works with including the landowners within the county.

"This employee sets a high standard for the rest of the SWCD Employees across the state.  She work hard for her respective county in getting the soil and water conservation message out, as well as assisting partner agencies in getting the required work done," stated Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District Employees Association Co-chair Annyce Winters.

There are 98 soil and water conservation districts throughout Illinois providing local leadership for the wise use of Illinois’ natural resources and servicing the natural resources needs of our communities.
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