Soil & Water Stewardship SOIL MAKES LIVE POSSIBLE Have you ever really thought about soil? What it is? What it does? Why we need it? In the next few minutes we will explorer soil, and hopefully give you a better understanding of the Earth’s most critical natural resource. Soil – it nurtures life and death; under grids cities, forest and oceans; and feeds all terrestrial life on Earth. It is the substance that few people understand and most take for granted. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship Soil Litany Leader: Out of the soil, God shaped the form of a man and breathed life into Adam People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Leader: Out of the soil, God produced the first stewardship responsibility for Mankind, to work and take care of the of the earth in the Garden Leader: Out of the soil, God shaped the form of a man and breathed life into Adam People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Leader: Out of the soil, God produced the first stewardship responsibility for Mankind, to work and take care of the of the earth in the Garden National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship @nacdnet.org

Soli & Water Stewardship Soil Litany Leader: Out of the Soil, injustice cries out for the spilt blood of the innocent. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His mercy endures forever. Leader: As the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Leader: Out of the Soil, injustice cries out for the spilt blood of the innocent. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His mercy endures forever. Leader: As the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship Soil Litany Leader: Into the soil spilt the atoning blood of Jesus, forever taking root and never to lose power. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Leader: Into the soil of our hearts a tiny seed is scattered, producing fruit with eternal value. Leader: Into the soil spilt the atoning blood of Jesus, forever taking root and never to lose power. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Leader: Into the soil of our hearts a tiny seed is scattered, producing fruit with eternal value. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship Soil Litany Leader: Out of the mud and mire the Lord lifted me, He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Leader: Give thanks to the Lord who alone does great wonders, who made the heavens, and spread out the earth upon the waters. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever Leader: Out of the mud and mire the Lord lifted me, He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Leader: Give thanks to the Lord who alone does great wonders, who made the heavens, and spread out the earth upon the waters. People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship Soil makes up the outer layer of the earth’s surface, (-2_CLICK MOUSE FOR NEXT PICTURE) it nourishes the plants we eat, the animals we use for food and fiber and the thriving underground, better know as the kingdom of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, earthworms and other microbes that are critical to the planet’s food web. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship Did you know that Topsoil is the most productive soil layer and the layer that is the first lost due to soil erosion. (CLICK MOUSE FOR ARROW Pointing to top soil) Erosion occurs naturally because of the wind, water and ice acting on any exposed rock or soil surface. Human activities are responsible for 60-80% of all erosion. (CLICK MOUSE FOR raindrop) Also did you know that a single rainstorm can wash away centuries old accumulations of soil from damaged, neglected or badly managed ground. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship In many places on the earth, soils are eroding faster than they can be rebuilt. Though soil is a renewable resource in theory, soil forms slowly. For all practical purposes, the soil we loose today will never be replaced in our lifetimes. The natural processes that make soil can take more than 500 years to form one inch of Topsoil. Think about it…that’s a really long time. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship When soil erosion happens, much of the displaced sediment – as well as pollutants that are mixed with it such as pesticides, oil, grease and excess nutrients wash into streams, rivers and eventually the ocean. This in turn effects water quality and disrupts the health of terrestrial and aquatic life. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship Roots from plants and trees act like fingers and hold on to the soil, they hold it together and help prevent the soil from erosion. If all the plants and trees are removed as well as the surface litter such as leaves, tree limbs and organic matter; and the soil is left bare, this is the time it is at most risk of erosion. You can see how the water is clean when it runs over vegetation as it combines with water that has run over bare soil and adds sediment to the water. Photo by: Rob Brown, Indiana USACE National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship But there is hope, through proper management of the soil, farmers and landowners using conservation techniques called Best Management Practices are able to minimize erosion and sedimentation. Some of these Best Management Practices include No-Till Farming, Buffer Strips and Terracing and other conservation techniques. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship The soil in developed and developing areas such as subdivisions and cities are often forgotten or dismissed as a resource – until homes are damaged by soil movement, lawns and vegetation die off or contaminants seep into our drinking water, do we really know how important soil is? Soil in urban and community areas are many times taken for granted. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship Knowing about soil and its potentials and limitations can help urban planners and those living in urban areas to make good decisions. This knowledge can help them address such issues as properly locating land uses like lakes or land-fields, it can help with controlling an erosion problem or even excessive sedimentation into a lake or stream. Soil management is as critical to the health and well-being of urban and community residents as it is to the productivity of agricultural and forested lands and the lively hood of farmers and ranchers. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil & Water Stewardship Since the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s the protection of the soil from erosion and degradation has greatly increased -2-CLICK MOUSE FOR NEXT PICTURE) through the formation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and several state and federal conservation agencies. Partnering together these conservation groups assist landowners and the general public through education and technical assistance to show them the importance of the soil and how to properly manage it. Soil – the natural resource to which humans literally owe their very existence. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil Stewardship Week 2014 April 27 – May 4, 2014 Soil & Water Stewardship Soil Stewardship Week 2014 April 27 – May 4, 2014 For additional information about Conservation or Stewardship and Education activities go to: www.nacdnet.org Or contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District at ________________________________________ Or visit http://www.nacdnet.org/about/districts/directory to find your local district Soil Stewardship Week 2014 April 27 – May 4, 2014 For additional information about Conservation or Stewardship and Education activities go to: www.nacdnet.org Or contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District at ________________________________________ (DISTRICTS PUT YOUR CONTACT INFO HERE) Or visit http://www.nacdnet.org/about/districts/directory to find your local district National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org

Soil Stewardship Week 2014 April 27 – May 4, 2014 Soil & Water Stewardship Soil Stewardship Week 2014 April 27 – May 4, 2014 The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Stewardship Week is one of the largest conservation-related observances. The 3,000 conservation districts that make up NACD, manage soil and water conservation programs in virtually every community in the United States. Since 1955, NACD has sponsored the national Stewardship Week program by selecting a theme and developing materials for schools, communities and churches of all denominations. Stewardship Week, celebrated annually between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, reminds us of our personal responsibility to care for the natural resources which we all depend upon. The celebration and observance of Stewardship continue throughout the year not for just one week. The concept of Stewardship involves personal and social responsibility. We have a duty to learn about and improve natural resources as we use them wisely. By doing this we can achieve material and spiritual growth in our own lives, and leave a rich legacy for future generations. Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District to see how you can become more involved in conservation activities in your local community. Visit http://www.nacdnet.org/about/districts/directory section for state contacts. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Stewardship Week is one of the largest conservation-related observances. The 3,000 conservation districts that make up NACD, manage soil and water conservation programs in virtually every community in the United States. Since 1955, NACD has sponsored the national Stewardship Week program by selecting a theme and developing materials for schools, communities and churches of all denominations. Stewardship Week, celebrated annually between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, reminds us of our personal responsibility to care for the natural resources which we all depend upon. The celebration and observance of Stewardship continue throughout the year not for just one week. The concept of Stewardship involves personal and social responsibility. We have a duty to learn about and improve natural resources as we use them wisely. By doing this we can achieve material and spiritual growth in our own lives, and leave a rich legacy for future generations. Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District to see how you can become more involved in conservation activities in your local community. Visit http://www.nacdnet.org/about/districts/directory section for state contacts. National Association of Conservation Districts (c) 2014 www.nacdnet.org stewardship@nacdnet.org