SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - More than 36,000 feet of Illinois stream bank were protected from erosion last year, according to a new report available from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The "Illinois Conservation Partnership Annual Report - 2007" details the soil and water conservation accomplishments throughout Illinois last year.

Conservation partners include the Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau of Land and Water Resources, Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, 98 county Soil and Water Conservation District offices, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"I am proud of the commitment and technical assistance provided during the last few years to implement new conservation practices," Acting Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said. "This document provides a synopsis of current work being implemented and highlights the progress Illinois landowners have made in preserving the state's valuable natural resources."

Partner programs provide benefits in the areas of soil conservation and water quality in rural and urban communities, agricultural nutrient management, farmland protection, sustainable agriculture, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat and watershed planning and protection. Programs also provide youth and adult environmental education and outreach, research and demonstration and public information. Programs are generally directed to landowners and land managers using incentive-based, voluntary approaches.

Accomplishments last year include the installation of nearly 1,500 conservation practices such as waterways, structures and terraces through the state's Partners For Conservation Fund. In addition, 36,438 feet of stream bank were protected, 108 abandoned wells were sealed and 18 sustainable agricultural research and education projects were completed. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels also were reduced on nearly 7,000 acres of farmland with the nutrient management planning program.

The Illinois Conservation Partnership emphasizes education and outreach. More than 487,700 individuals were reached in 2007. Furthermore, nearly 100,000 elementary students received direct programming through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). The Illinois Envirothon, a national environmental competition for high school students, had 2,475 participants from 275 schools.

Urban conservation efforts by SWCDs included 477 soil erosion and sediment control plan reviews on 14,815 acres and 1,848 individual site inspections to assure protection of soil and water resources. Another 1,008 natural resource reports were prepared on 20,316 acres for land changing from agricultural uses.

"Cooperation among stakeholders is essential to building on the progress we have made in conservation of natural resources in Illinois," Jennings said.

For a copy of the report, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau of Land and Water Resources at (217) 782-6297 or visit the department's website at http://www.agr.state.il.us/Environment/LandWater/index.html.