The Dunklin County Soil and Water Conservation District encourages area residents to think about the personal responsibility involved to be a good steward of natural resources, including water, during its annual Stewardship Week celebration.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has proclaimed April 27 to May 4, 2008, as Stewardship Week with the theme "Water is Life."

The Earth's water is in constant motion in the process known as the hydrologic (water) cycle. There is no beginning or end to the hydrologic cycle.

Water available to users can change due to the cycles of weather and changes in water quality. Throughout time, the same water has been transferred into the Earth's atmosphere and dropped on land again where it follows the water cycle through plants, soil, water bodies, animals and clouds. That means the water we use today is the same water that was here when dinosaurs roamed the land.

What can people do? According to the Water Conservation District, become aware of water quality and quantity in your community. Understand how watersheds work.

A statement released by the district reads, "We all live in a watershed. Watersheds are the places we call home, where we work and where we play. Everyone relies on water and other natural resources to exist. What you and others do on the land impacts the quality and quantity of water and our other natural resources. Managing the water and other natural resources is an effective and efficient way to sustain the local economy and environmental health."

The Dunklin County Soil and Water Conservation District is a member of the National Association of Conservation Districts (www.nacdnet.org) which oversees the Stewardship Week program.

Stewardship Week is one of the largest national annual programs to promote conservation. The NACD represents the nation's 3,000 conservation districts, which were established to encourage resource conservation across the country.

"Each of us needs to take steps to invest in understanding the importance of water in our everyday life," said NACD CEO Krysta Harden. "Water is not a renewable resource. Education in your community and schools will benefit all citizens, for years to come as they gain a better appreciation of the importance of water resources. Conservation districts are working with local communities to address water quantity and quality issues in every county in America."