The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is the premier international organization for professionals who practice and advance the science and art of natural resource conservation.

SWCS is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization that serves as an advocate for conservation professionals and for science-based conservation practice, programs, and policy. Learn more about our mission, values, and membership.

What We Do

We pursue our mission through a combination of research, education, advocacy, and partnership efforts. Learn about current projects and programs.

Local Chapters Addressing Local Issues 

SWCS membership within the United States and Canada is organized into state and university chapters to provide education, training, and professional development opportunities at a local level. Find a chapter near you.

Leaders and Partners in Conservation

It's our members and leadership that make SWCS a knowledgeable and effective voice for conservation. SWCS is

SWCS History

In the late 1920s and following the devastating Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Hugh Hammond Bennett and other early leaders in conservation and ecology worked to educate farmers and landowners about the soil erosion crisis. These efforts led to the creation of the Soil Conservation Service (now the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service) and to the founding of the Soil and Water Conservation Society


Soil and Water Conservation Society is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Federal Tax ID Number (EIN): 42-0716340