The 2008 Conservation Expo is coming to east-central Illinois August 19 – 21, 2008. This event is a showcase for the construction and exhibition of conservation and land improvement practices and equipment.

Throughout the three day event, field tours will be conducted to show conservation management practices and structures that help conserve and protect soil and water resources. Members of the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors' Association will be performing the construction of several rural and urban best management practices.

This year's event is being hosted by Progress City USA and Richland Community College at the permanent Farm Progress Show site in Decatur. The Conservation Expo Show site is easy to find off Interstate 72. If you are traveling on Interstate 72, just take exit 144 and turn south onto highway 48 and then turn left on Brush College Road to the Expo site.

The conservation practices that will be demonstrated and installed during the three day event include subsurface drainage, rock lined chute structures, wetland enhancement, subsurface bioreactor, water table management, and a soils demonstration pit. Some of the tour stops will also showcase the use of urban soil and water management techniques such as a rain garden, pervious pavement material, temporary construction erosion prevention, and underground storm water detention.

Tour guides will be at each of the sites to discuss installation techniques, the cost of construction, and benefits to the landowner and the watershed. The techniques that will be showcased during the three day event have some positive returns for the landowner in terms of reduced topsoil loss and maintenance of soil quality, but there are immeasurable benefits downstream throughout the watershed. These benefits include higher water quality, reduced sedimentation in lakes and rivers and maintenance of the overall health of the watershed's ecosystem.

The hours of the Conservation Expo are from 9 am until 4 pm each day and there is no attendance fee. In addition to the conservation tour, exhibitors will be located in the Progress City area to show the latest materials and techniques to improve soil and water conditions on the land. There will also be food and drink concessions available, so plan to have lunch at the show site.

The 2008 Conservation Expo is sponsored by the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association in cooperation with Richland Community College, the Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Farm Service Agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, City of Decatur, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Trees Forever, Progress City, Archer Daniels Midland, Illinois Department of Agriculture, US Fish and Wildlife, Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the University of Illinois Extension.

If you would like more information about the Expo you can contact the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association at 309-446-3700 or you can contact Dave Shiley, University of Illinois Extension at 217-333-4901. If you are unable to attend the event and have questions about soil and water management techniques feel free to contact the University of Illinois Champaign Extension Unit at 217-333-7672.