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IASWCD plants white oak tree for Stewardship Week

The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) along with members of the Indiana Conservation Partnership celebrated the beginning of Stewardship Week, April 26 – May 3, by dedicating a white oak tree in the memory of Olin Sims, a former president of the NationalAssociation of Conservation Districts (NACD).

“The oak tree is a tree that will grow huge and massive and stretch its branches far out from its trunk, and I see Olin’s legacy doing the same thing,” said Paula Baldwin, IASWCD President. “He changed people’sideas of conservation, and just as the oak tree will continue to grow for generations, Olin’s conservation ethic will also continue to grow and that’s what Stewardship Week is about, conservation ethics.”

Anne Hazlett, Director, Indiana State Department of Agriculture(ISDA) was on hand for the dedication. Director Hazlett talked about the Indiana Conservation Partnership and the important role it plays in the state’s conservation effort, particularly at a time like this when there are limited resources

“We have our partner at the federallevel (NRCS), we have our state staff at the State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), and most importantly we have 92 local conservation districts that all have a grassroots network in which they can help deliver information and resources on the land to producers,” Hazlett said.

The white oak tree honoring Olin Sims was planted in the grassy area just south of the Indiana Farm Bureau Building in Indianapolis.