A new student chapter was recently formed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The chapter began meeting in September and has spent the first few months getting organized. The officers for the University of Illinois Student Chapter are: Brad Dixon (President), Pennie Vines (Vice President), Ilse Williams (Secretary), Shaun Schmidt (Treasurer), and Pierre Bull (Publicity). The advisors are Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant (University of Illinois) and Bob McLeese (USDA NRCS).

Guest speakers have been invited to several of the meetings--Bill Gradle, USDA NRCS State Conservationist; Bob McLeese, USDA NRCS State Soil Scientist; and Dr. Jim Angel, State Climatologist, Illinois State Water Survey. Recently, three members attended a statewide conference, "Tillage and Nutrient Management for the Future: Advanced Concepts Conference." Upcoming activities will include a booth at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Open House on March 8 and 9 where we will distribute educational materials about the new Illinois State Soil. The Chapter is also working on a website and has plans to have a large contingent of members attend the Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences has provided the Chapter with a bulletin board where information about Chapter, state, regional and national SWCS activities and programs is posted. The officers and advisors would like to thank the Illinois (Land of Lincoln) Chapter for their generous contribution and support. For more information contact Brad Dixon (bdixon@uiuc.edu).