Illinois NLRS Program and Project Narratives

This site features NGO partner program and project narratives, searchable by title, date, and categories. These narratives have been reported in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) annual reports and updates. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all nutrient loss-related initiatives across Illinois.

The NLRS is a statewide, collaborative effort aimed at reducing the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus entering Illinois waterways. This page specifically highlights NGO-led efforts that have contributed to the strategy since 2023.

  • Edge-of-Field Partnership for Saturated Buffers

    Dec 1, 2025 12:00 pm by Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Team2023-25 UpdateAgricultureEducationNon-point SourcesResearchTechnical Assistance

    The Saturated Buffer Partnership was established in 2019 as a five-year collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association Inc., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Illinois USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Extended for another five-year term, the goal of this partnership is to install a saturated buffer each year and to support research into the impact of saturated buffers on water quality at each site for the duration of the collaboration period and beyond. The first saturated buffer was installed in the spring of 2019 in Moultrie County.  In June 2023, the Saturated Buffer Partnership installed their second saturated buffer to coincide with a Sangamon County field day. Looking forward, the group is looking to install their third saturated buffer in fall of 2024. 

    For more information, see illica.net/projects or Ilfb.org/nlrspractices.