Celebrate Stewardship Week 2025
Home is Where the Habitat Is
The 2025 NACD Stewardship Week theme, Home is Where the Habitat Is, highlights the essential role that both natural and managed habitats play in supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. But this theme is more than just a catchy phrase – it’s a reminder that every habitat, from sprawling forests to bustling urban parks, contributes to the health of our planet.
Habitats do more than provide shelter for wildlife; they clean our air and water, prevent erosion, regulate climate, and sustain the ecosystems that make life possible. Whether it’s the wetlands that filter pollutants, grasslands that support pollinators, or the trees in your own backyard, these spaces are vital to both nature and humans.
How Habitat Conservation Supports Natural Resource Protection
Biodiversity Preservation: Healthy habitats are home to a wide variety of species. Proper conservation ensures these areas remain rich in biodiversity, providing shelter for wildlife and supporting plant life that keeps ecosystems running smoothly.
Carbon Sequestration: Habitats such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands act as natural carbon sinks. By preserving and expanding these habitats, we can combat climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Water Quality and Quantity: Habitats like wetlands and riparian zones help filter water, prevent soil erosion, and maintain the health of rivers and streams. Protecting these habitats ensures a steady, clean water supply for communities and ecosystems alike.
Recreation and Education: Habitats provide outdoor spaces for recreation and education. Forests, parks, and wildlife reserves offer opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching, while also serving as natural classrooms for learning about conservation and the environment.
Wildlife Protection: Habitat conservation is critical for the protection of wildlife. Whether through restoration projects or the creation of new protected areas, maintaining habitats ensures that animals have a place to live, reproduce, and thrive.
Climate Change Mitigation: Preserving habitats helps buffer the impacts of climate change. Healthy forests, wetlands, and coastal habitats act as natural defenses against extreme weather events, while also playing a key role in mitigating the effects of rising temperatures.
Economic Benefits: Conserving habitats contributes to the long-term economic health of communities. Sustainable tourism, eco-tourism, and sustainable resource use (like responsible timber and agriculture) all depend on the protection of these areas.
Home is Where the Habitat Is
The 2025 NACD Stewardship Week theme, Home is Where the Habitat Is, highlights the essential role that both natural and managed habitats play in supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. But this theme is more than just a catchy phrase – it’s a reminder that every habitat, from sprawling forests to bustling urban parks, contributes to the health of our planet.
Habitats do more than provide shelter for wildlife; they clean our air and water, prevent erosion, regulate climate, and sustain the ecosystems that make life possible. Whether it’s the wetlands that filter pollutants, grasslands that support pollinators, or the trees in your own backyard, these spaces are vital to both nature and humans.
How Habitat Conservation Supports Natural Resource Protection
Biodiversity Preservation: Healthy habitats are home to a wide variety of species. Proper conservation ensures these areas remain rich in biodiversity, providing shelter for wildlife and supporting plant life that keeps ecosystems running smoothly.
Carbon Sequestration: Habitats such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands act as natural carbon sinks. By preserving and expanding these habitats, we can combat climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Water Quality and Quantity: Habitats like wetlands and riparian zones help filter water, prevent soil erosion, and maintain the health of rivers and streams. Protecting these habitats ensures a steady, clean water supply for communities and ecosystems alike.
Recreation and Education: Habitats provide outdoor spaces for recreation and education. Forests, parks, and wildlife reserves offer opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching, while also serving as natural classrooms for learning about conservation and the environment.
Wildlife Protection: Habitat conservation is critical for the protection of wildlife. Whether through restoration projects or the creation of new protected areas, maintaining habitats ensures that animals have a place to live, reproduce, and thrive.
Climate Change Mitigation: Preserving habitats helps buffer the impacts of climate change. Healthy forests, wetlands, and coastal habitats act as natural defenses against extreme weather events, while also playing a key role in mitigating the effects of rising temperatures.
Economic Benefits: Conserving habitats contributes to the long-term economic health of communities. Sustainable tourism, eco-tourism, and sustainable resource use (like responsible timber and agriculture) all depend on the protection of these areas.
2024 STEWARDSHIP THEME
The Stewardship and Education team has developed a five-year rotation for stewardship topics – water, soil, habitat, forestry, and a topic of interest – and determines the theme each year. The 2024 Poster and Photo Contest theme is “May the Forest be with you, Always.”
The 2024 Stewardship week will be celebrated April 28-May 5, 2024 with the same theme.
May the forest be with you, always. The phrase carries a message of respect, appreciation, and harmony with nature, specifically highlighting the forest environment. It suggests that we should recognize the value of forests and the benefits they provide to us and for our future generations.
Forests are vital ecosystems that support diverse plant and animal life. They provide clean air and water, give us food, fuel, and other forest products, as well as help combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide. They offer recreational opportunities, serve as habitats for wildlife, and contribute to the overall well-being of the planet.
By saying “May the forest be with you, always,” it’s a way of expressing a desire for people to be mindful of the forests and to maintain a strong connection with nature. It encourages us to protect and preserve these important natural resources so that they can continue to thrive and benefit us in the long run.
Forestry is a cornerstone of natural resource conservation, promoting the responsible use of forests to meet human needs while safeguarding the ecological, social, and economic benefits these ecosystems provide. Through science-based management and conservation efforts, we can ensure that our forests remain healthy and resilient for future generations. Here’s a brief overview of how forestry contributes to natural resource conservation to assist in your local district Stewardship Week celebration outreach and education programs:
Biodiversity Preservation: Forests are incredibly diverse ecosystems, home to a wide range of plant and animal species. Forestry practices focus on maintaining this biodiversity by protecting and enhancing the habitat for various flora and fauna. Careful management helps prevent habitat destruction and ensures the survival of many species.
Carbon Sequestration: Forests act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. Sustainable forestry practices help maintain and expand forested areas, which contributes to carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change by reducing CO2 levels.
Water Quality and Quantity: Forests play a critical role in regulating water cycles. They help filter and purify water, preventing soil erosion and maintaining water quality in rivers and streams. Forested watersheds also help regulate water flow, reducing the risk of flooding and ensuring a steady supply of clean water for communities.
Timber Production: Forestry is also about responsible timber production. Sustainable logging practices ensure that timber resources are harvested without depleting forests. These practices include selective logging, reforestation, and maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.
Recreation and Education: Forests provide recreational opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife observation, fostering a connection between people and nature. Additionally, they serve as outdoor classrooms for
environmental education, raising awareness about conservation and the importance of forests.
Wildfire Management: Proper forestry practices can reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Thinning dense forests, creating firebreaks, and prescribed burns are strategies employed to manage the fire-prone areas effectively, protecting both ecosystems and communities.
Economic Sustainability: Sustainable forestry management is crucial for the long-term economic well-being of communities dependent on timber and forest-related industries. Balancing economic interests with conservation ensures the continued availability of forest resources.
Incorporating forestry into climate-smart conservation strategies is vital, aligning with global climate change efforts. Forests serve as crucial carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable forestry practices are evolving to combat climate challenges like rising temperatures and pests.
The Stewardship and Education team has developed a five-year rotation for stewardship topics – water, soil, habitat, forestry, and a topic of interest – and determines the theme each year. The 2024 Poster and Photo Contest theme is “May the Forest be with you, Always.”
The 2024 Stewardship week will be celebrated April 28-May 5, 2024 with the same theme.
May the forest be with you, always. The phrase carries a message of respect, appreciation, and harmony with nature, specifically highlighting the forest environment. It suggests that we should recognize the value of forests and the benefits they provide to us and for our future generations.
Forests are vital ecosystems that support diverse plant and animal life. They provide clean air and water, give us food, fuel, and other forest products, as well as help combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide. They offer recreational opportunities, serve as habitats for wildlife, and contribute to the overall well-being of the planet.
By saying “May the forest be with you, always,” it’s a way of expressing a desire for people to be mindful of the forests and to maintain a strong connection with nature. It encourages us to protect and preserve these important natural resources so that they can continue to thrive and benefit us in the long run.
Forestry is a cornerstone of natural resource conservation, promoting the responsible use of forests to meet human needs while safeguarding the ecological, social, and economic benefits these ecosystems provide. Through science-based management and conservation efforts, we can ensure that our forests remain healthy and resilient for future generations. Here’s a brief overview of how forestry contributes to natural resource conservation to assist in your local district Stewardship Week celebration outreach and education programs:
Biodiversity Preservation: Forests are incredibly diverse ecosystems, home to a wide range of plant and animal species. Forestry practices focus on maintaining this biodiversity by protecting and enhancing the habitat for various flora and fauna. Careful management helps prevent habitat destruction and ensures the survival of many species.
Carbon Sequestration: Forests act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. Sustainable forestry practices help maintain and expand forested areas, which contributes to carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change by reducing CO2 levels.
Water Quality and Quantity: Forests play a critical role in regulating water cycles. They help filter and purify water, preventing soil erosion and maintaining water quality in rivers and streams. Forested watersheds also help regulate water flow, reducing the risk of flooding and ensuring a steady supply of clean water for communities.
Timber Production: Forestry is also about responsible timber production. Sustainable logging practices ensure that timber resources are harvested without depleting forests. These practices include selective logging, reforestation, and maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.
Recreation and Education: Forests provide recreational opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife observation, fostering a connection between people and nature. Additionally, they serve as outdoor classrooms for
environmental education, raising awareness about conservation and the importance of forests.
Wildfire Management: Proper forestry practices can reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Thinning dense forests, creating firebreaks, and prescribed burns are strategies employed to manage the fire-prone areas effectively, protecting both ecosystems and communities.
Economic Sustainability: Sustainable forestry management is crucial for the long-term economic well-being of communities dependent on timber and forest-related industries. Balancing economic interests with conservation ensures the continued availability of forest resources.
Incorporating forestry into climate-smart conservation strategies is vital, aligning with global climate change efforts. Forests serve as crucial carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable forestry practices are evolving to combat climate challenges like rising temperatures and pests.
2023: One Water
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What is a watershed? A watershed is an area of land that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, eventually leading to outflow points such as reservoirs, bays, and the ocean. Those bodies of water are all connected, so every drop that falls becomes part of one water. |
Watersheds can be any size and usually have some high points of land like hills, mountains, or ridges. When rain, sleet, or snow falls to the ground, the precipitation runs from those higher points to the lower points. Gravity pulls the water downhill until it reaches a body of water. If the land in the watershed is steep, the water usually runs off into rivers or streams. If the land in the watershed is level, the water will slowly flow into lakes or ponds, or seep into the soil and add to groundwater. If the watershed is close to the ocean, then tidal marshes, estuaries, and wetlands will be part of the watershed. From the top of the mountain all the way to the coast, it is all one water.
Have you ever watched it rain? The raindrops fall on the ground and flow through the soil. Water soaks through the soil until it reaches groundwater, which is water that moves through spaces in soil and rock underground. A lot of the water we use and drink every day comes from water in the ground. As it rains and the water runs off, it collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans and then returns to the atmosphere to fall as rain somewhere else. All land across the entire earth is made up of watersheds. We all live in a watershed. We share the water in our watershed with other people, with animals, and with plants because… it is all one water.
Have you ever watched it rain? The raindrops fall on the ground and flow through the soil. Water soaks through the soil until it reaches groundwater, which is water that moves through spaces in soil and rock underground. A lot of the water we use and drink every day comes from water in the ground. As it rains and the water runs off, it collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans and then returns to the atmosphere to fall as rain somewhere else. All land across the entire earth is made up of watersheds. We all live in a watershed. We share the water in our watershed with other people, with animals, and with plants because… it is all one water.
2022: Healthy Soil, Healthy Life
What is Healthy Soil?
According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans.
According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans.
2021: Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities
Environmental Health: Healthy forests promote healthy communities by creating healthier environments. Trees reduce stormwater runoff, increase the soil's ability to absorb and store water, and prevent soil erosion—all of which lead to cleaner, healthier waterways and reduce flooding that can impact communities.
2020: Where would we BEE without Pollinators?
Pollinators form the foundations of a healthy and sustainable future for food and the environment, but in recent years, they have shown concerning signs of decline. It’s important that we work to help them prosper by enhancing native pollinator habitats and protecting against pollinator declines.
2019: Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper
Soil is a dirty topic, but everyone needs to learn more about it! Soil is the foundation for many of the items we use in our daily life, such as food, clothing, clean water, homes and more. Healthy soil equals healthy food, which equals a healthy you. Don’t treat your soil like dirt!
2018: Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home
During the month of May Butte SWCD visited Arco and Mackay elementary schools with a presentation for the Soil and Water Conservation District's stewardship program. This year's theme was based on the importance on the way we treat the land in our watershed, as our daily habits can have a big impact on the water we drink. Over 200 students, from kindergarten to 6th grade enjoyed a presentation on the topic of "Watersheds-Our Water, Our Home" and then participated in learning about our EnviroScape. An EnviroScape is a three-dimensional landscape that illustrates residential, recreational, agriculture, industrial and transportation areas – all representing possible sources of water pollution. Did you know that only 1% of the water on our planet is fresh, useable water? The Butte SWCD appreciates the opportunity to go into the local schools and share the stewardship program each year.
2017 Stewardship- "Healthy Soils are Full of Life"
Butte SWCD visited Arco elementary school with a presentation and activity for the Soil and Water Conservation District's stewardship program. This year's theme was based on the importance of healthy soil. Approximately 200 students, from pre-school to 6th grade enjoyed a presentations on the topic of "Healthy Soils are Full of Life" and then participated in an activity to teach them about soil profiles. Each student created an edible soil profile by layering m&m's (bedrock), chocolate pudding (subsoil), crushed chocolate cookies (topsoil) and gummy worms in a plastic cup. The Butte SWCD appreciates the opportunity to go into the local schools and share the stewardship program each year.
2016 Stewardship-"We All Need Trees"
Throughout the month of May the Butte SWCD visited Arco and Mackay Schools with a presentation on “We All Need Trees". Over 300 students, grades Kindergarten through 6th grade, were given a power point presentation and learned about the importance of trees. The Butte SWCD would like to thank the schools for giving us the opportunity to bring our stewardship program into their schools every year.
2015 Stewardship-"Local Heroes-Your Hardworking Pollinators"
Throughout the month of May the Butte SWCD visited Arco, Howe and Mackay Schools with a presentation on “Local Heroes-Your Hardworking Pollinators". Over 300 students, grades Kindergarten through 6th grade, were given a power point presentation and learned about the importance of how insects, bats and birds pollinate 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat every day. They learned about bee boards, that many kids have seen hanging around their own farms. How bees have sacks on their legs that they stuff full of pollen, these sacks full of pollen weigh as much as they do and are still able to fly. And how Cheetos and their messy orange cheese get’s stuck to them just like sticky pollen gets stuck to our hard working pollinators. The Butte SWCD would like to thank the schools for giving us the opportunity to bring our stewardship program into their schools every year.
2014 Stewardship-"Dig Deeper-Mysteries in the Soil"
The Butte SWCD visited Mackay, Arco and Howe elementary schools with presentations and activities for the Soil and Water Conservation District's stewardship program. This year's theme was based on the importance of soil. Approximately 300 students, from pre-school to 6th grade viewed powerpoint presentations on the topic of "Dig Deeper, Mysteries in the Soil" and then participated in an activity to teach them about soil profiles. Each student created an edible soil profile by layering m&m's (bedrock), crushed graham crackers (parent material), chocolate pudding (subsoil), crushed chocolate cookies (topsoil) and gummy worms in a plastic cup. The Butte SWCD appreciates the opportunity to go into the local schools and share the stewardship program each year.
2013 Stewardship-"Where Does Our Water Shed?"
In the month of May, the Butte SWCD visited Mackay, Arco and Howe Elementary schools and made presentations on watersheds for the Soil and Water Conservation District's stewardship program. The stewardship program was presented to kindergarten through 6th grades. A powerpoint presentation was given describing what a watershed is and how to keep our watersheds clean, followed by a hands-on presentation with the enviroscape. The enviroscape is a small model of a watershed which allows the kids to see how a watershed works and the effects of pollution and erosion. Many thanks to the schools for allowing us to bring this program into the classrooms.
2013 Custer and Butte County Fairs
Loni Dowton, with the Custer Soil Conservation District and Teena Lord, with the Butte Soil Conservation District, presented Edible Aquifers at the Custer and Butte County Fairs. The fair goers enjoyed the process of making their edible aquifers while learning how pollution affects groundwater and the effect pumping has the water table. The edible aquifers were made up of ice and sprite representing the lower aquifer, ice cream for the confining layer, m&m's representing the upper aquifer, cookie crumb soil, gummy worms, sprinkles for the plant life and organisms, coconut for the grass, food coloring for the contaminant and straws for the well casings.
