NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
            In our country, one of the costs of doing business is advertising. Businesses count on attracting consumers for their products and services through marketing. Reluctant to use their funds for advertising, the services of many nonprofit organizations and government agencies go unadvertised.
            One such unadvertised organization is the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program. Working behind-the-scenes in cooperation with volunteers and other public and private agencies, RC&D Councils across the nation offer professional assistance to state and local units of government and nonprofit organizations in rural areas, who need help in conserving natural resources and solving local problems.
            The Blackhawk Hills RC&D serves the six counties of Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, and Whiteside with a population of 235,689. The Blackhawk Hills RC&D Council also serves the region as an Economic Development District (EDD). The EDD was established under criteria of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA).
            The Blackhawk Hills RC&D has three goals for 2010 as expressed in their annual report presented in March 2010: 1) Improve soil and water quality; 2) Assist communities to improve their planning efforts, economic base, and quality of life; 3) Increase the use of land management techniques.
            In working with volunteer groups, Blackhawk Hills RC&D recognizes that conserving natural resources and planning for economic development can work side-by-side. The services and assistance from professionals that are available upon request include: community planning, economic development, natural resources conservation and protection; grant writing and administration; demographic and statistical data; seminars, summits, and workshops; and meeting facilitation and group development. County governments and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) of the area, USDA through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the U.S EDA provide basic financial support for the professional staff of three professionals, an office in Rock Falls, and Council expenses.
            Blackhawk Hills RC&D is governed by a Council consiting of three appointed persons from each county: one each from the SWCD, County Board, and county-at-large. Stephenson County is represented by Chuck Moen, Sam Newton, and Della Moen.
            In 2009 accomplishments included: forestry management workshop; grazing conference; administering an EPA grant for livestock waste management; small farms workshop; leadership in the Driftless Area Initiative; environmental stewardship education opportunities; implementing a community capital improvement program; assistance to the Entrepreneurs and Inventors Club, submission of a $72 million grant application for a Broadband Initiative Program; the regional collection point for data regarding the stimulus plan; host for regular regional community meetings of government officials; and administration of an energy efficiency and conservation block grant.
            If you are part of a volunteer group that could use professional planning services, Blackhawk Hills RC& D is counting on you to let them know. Phone: 815-625-3854 ext 2 or email at info@blackhawkhills.com. Find out more at www.blackhawkhills.com.

Della Moen, Earth Team Volunteer, NRCS/Stephenson Soil and Water Conservation District, an equal opportunity provider and employer, 08/11/10 (for publication on 08/14/10 in the Journal-Standard, Freeport, Illinois) Della can be reached at info@stephensonswcd.org