A Message from Caroline Wade, STAR Executive Director…
Happy New Year from the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) team! The year is flying by as we continue to ramp up and prepare for the launch of enrollment later this spring. It will be an exciting year with the development of a new, enhanced version of the online STAR tool that will integrate and automate the field forms and scoring systems for current and developing STAR affiliates.
The new tool also will provide STAR participants with a tailored Conservation Improvement Plan, including recommendations and connections to technical and financial resources to support the hard work of changing systems to include more conservation practices.
The STAR team also will spend significant time visiting, both in-person and virtually, with state STAR affiliate leaders, staff, partners, producers, landowners, and supporters in the West and Midwest. They’ll be listening carefully to identify locally specific needs and challenges and the opportunities they see to amplify conservation learning, promotion, implementation, and collaboration in their work on the ground. As new offerings for enrollment are refined, STAR is committed to supporting those producers testing and implementing more conservation practices on more acres. It is hoped you will join us on this journey!
Spotlight on Illinois STAR
This month, the Illinois STAR affiliate is highlighted – where STAR first started in 2017 when two Central Illinois farmers wondered how they could encourage neighbors to find new ways to prevent nutrient losses from fields. Steve Stierwalt and Joe Rothermel were successful using reduced-tillage and cover crops to improve soil health and reduce soil and nutrient losses and thought there must be a simple, straightforward way to help make such conservation farming the norm.
“We were just kicking around ideas for a roadmap for conservation practices,” Rothermel said. “Say a farmer wanted to try conservation practices, what would we tell them? Make a list of all the practices that would work best in this area – a recipe for success. It recognizes farmers for their practices – but there is also an educational part of it. My goal was to provide information to farmers who wanted to try this.”
“We had no vision of building something that would even go across Illinois,” Stierwalt said. “We wanted to focus on Champaign County, but we found a lot of interest. My personal ‘why’ was discomfort at seeing we were not getting done what was needed. Joe came up with the STAR acronym. Having a name that tells people what we’re hoping to do is important.”
Stierwalt and Rothermel then teamed with the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWCD) to formally establish STAR across Illinois – and this eventually inspired a national expansion into what STAR is today. Stierwalt and Rothermel continue to serve on the Illinois and national STAR boards.
Illinois STAR continues its expansion across the state and has benefited from the expertise and guidance of representatives from key state organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, American Farmland Trust, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and many other conservation focused partners. Recognized conservation advocates, researchers, and experts throughout the Illinois academic, consulting, and farming communities have been instrumental in the success of the initiative through participation on the Illinois STAR Steering Committee.
Along with continued CCSWCD support, Illinois STAR is supported by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land and Water Resources (IDOA), as part of the soil health goals set forth by the Illinois General Assembly Public Act 103-0490. IDOA and STAR share a common vision to enhance agricultural conservation practices and raise awareness regarding nutrient and soil loss mitigation. Together, they work on education and training opportunities to promote conservation and the Illinois STAR Initiative.
The Illinois STAR Initiative efficiently is administered through most county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, ensuring accessibility and coverage across the state.