Conservation Expo 2007 is coming to central Illinois on August 21, 22, & 23, 2007. This statewide event is a showcase for the construction and exhibition of conservation and land improvement practices and equipment. The hosts for this year's Conservation Expo are Richard and Robert Lasser, Colfax, IL.

The Conservation Expo 2007 Show Site is located approximately 2 miles south of Colfax, IL, in McLean County, in central Illinois. It is located just off of IL Route 9, about 15 miles east of Bloomington, or about 15 miles west of Gibson City. Coming from either direction proceed to County Highway 15 or Road 3300E, also known as the Colfax –Arrowsmith Road. Turn north towards Colfax and travel 4 miles to County Road 1800N. Turn right and go east one fourth mile. The show site will be on your right.

Throughout the 3-day event, tours will be conducted to showcase the following eight conservation structures and practices: Pond Construction, Wetland Restoration, Field Borders/Wildlife Food Plots, Filter Strips, Grassed Waterways, Stream Monitoring/Water Quality, Soils Demonstration and New Septic System Installations. Tour guides will be at each of the sites throughout the show to discuss installation techniques, cost of construction, and benefits to the landowner and the watershed. More complete tour information will be available shortly.

The hours of the Conservation Expo are Tuesday & Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Wednesday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. There is no admission charge, and everyone is welcome to attend, including landowners, farmers, agri-businesses, conservationists, planners and the general public. Food and drink concessions will be available at the show site.

The Illinois Conservation Expo is sponsored by the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association (ILICA), in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and University of Illinois Extension. For more information, go to the ILICA website www.illica.net/ or contact Janet Burtle-Doubet, Ex. Director of ILICA, ph. 309-446-3700, e-mail janet@illica.net ; the McLean County SWCD/NRCS, ph. 309-452-0830, Ext. 3; or Bob Frazee, University of Illinois Extension, ph. 309-694-7501, Ext. 226.