Marion County Soil and Water Conservationist Burke Davies is retiring after 37 years in the position.
Davies will be replaced by Zach Lowery of Salem who worked at the Marion County Jail and Centralia Correctional Center before starting his own land maintenance business which he sold when getting involved in real estate.
Davies says the biggest change over the years has been increased technology.
“Wish I had more time in the field. I seemed to spend more time in the office,” Davies said. “Other than that, the people that you meet here, that’s one reason I’ve stayed this long. There’s some really wonderful people in Marion County, some interesting ones and just people you like to work with.”
Davies says among the accomplishments over the years has been the purchase of 384 acres in the early 90’s for the George Irwin Education Station where conservation practices are displayed. He notes cost share dollars have been the biggest incentive for conservation practices but there has been a lot more voluntary practices as land owners try and reduce costs. Davies says funding is one of the biggest challenges, including a 50-percent cut in state funding for the coming fiscal year.
“With the funding we’re supposed to get next year, it would pay for one employee’s salary,” Davies said. “It fluctuates from year-to-year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The districts do have other avenues to raise funds. Rental equipment, we do cooperative agreements with the NRCS, other counties. We’re able to bring in some additional funds and we’re always looking for those opportunities.”
Lowery says he has big shoes to fill but feels he has made lots of contacts in the past that will help him now.
“It’s those relationships, that and the conservation,” Lowery said. “I’ve always grown up in the outdoors, hunting and fishing. I like being out and trying to make the woods a better place, making it better for wildlife and our natural resources.”
Davies will be honored on his 37 years of service at a reception from two to four on Wednesday at the USDA Service Center on East Main Street in Salem. Lowery will also be on hand to be introduced to those in attendance. Everyone is welcome to attend.
