Fixing field-splitting gullies aids Sand Hill River
In the Upper Sand Hill River Watershed near McIntosh, East Polk SWCD staff has helped farmers install 133 structures that curb erosion. Working with Clean Water Funds and Sand Hill River Watershed District aid, to date they’ve completed $1.5 million in projects that keep about 426 dump truck loads of sediment out of the river annually. More are planned through a $790,240 Targeted Watershed Program grant from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Read more.
BWSR Academy offers hands-on training, peer learning
The 11th annual BWSR Academy brought together more than 450 conservation professionals from around the state. Attendees participated in 60-plus training sessions and workshops during the three-day event. New this year: an Outreach track geared toward developing communications and event-planning skills. Read more.
Andover partnership restores wetland
A wetland mitigation project in Andover created wildlife and pollinator habitat where a golf course once stood. The site adjacent to Coon Creek now provides wildlife-watching and outdoor education opportunities, along with wetland mitigation credits for public road impacts in the seven-county metropolitan area. Read more.
MN CREP protects more than 12,000 acres at 15-month mark
The Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (MN CREP) saw robust participation and landowner interest during the first 15 months of continuous signup, with more than 12,000 acres protected so far. The program’s overall goal is to protect 60,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land in southern and western Minnesota. Currently on hold, enrollment is expected to resume following the passage of a federal farm bill. Read more.
Plant of the Month: Purple-stemmed Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea)
Reaching heights up to 9 feet, purple-stemmed Angelica is one of Minnesota’s tallest wildflowers. This robust native plant in the carrot family occurs in a wide range of habitats with moist soils. Flowers appear from May to July. Like other plants in the family, the flowers provide easy-to-access floral resources for a wide diversity of flies, bees and other pollinators. The species is a host plant for the Eastern black swallowtail butterfly and the umbellifera borer moth. Read more.
Read past stories
Announcements
December 12, 2018
Recognizing excellence in conservation
BWSR is pleased to announce the 2016 outstanding conservation award winners.
2018 Outstanding Watershed District Employee of the Year
Dan Livdahl, Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District
2018 Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee of the Year
Donna Rasmussen, Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District
November 1, 2018
Wetland Banking Listening Sessions
The Board of Water and Soil Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District are planning listening sessions in January 2019 to solicit feedback on ways to improve wetland banking in Minnesota. Topics to be covered at the sessions include: wetland banking forms, agency guidance, communication, agency review comments, and credit releases. Individuals interested in participating are asked to register in advance. Please read informational public notice for more information.
August 27, 2018
Local Governments Collaborate on Water Planning
St. Paul, Minn. — Continuing statewide work to shift local water planning to a more coordinated approach, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved nine new planning grants for the One Watershed, One Plan program. The August 23rd board action allocates up to $2,200,000 in Clean Water Fund grants to fund nine planning projects to address water issues on a watershed basis. Read the press release here.
August 23, 2018
BWSR Board visits Rock and Nobles counties on annual tour
St. Paul, Minn. — Exploring the unique opportunities and challenges facing southwest Minnesota, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) gathered local, state, and federal conservation staff for its annual Board Tour on August 22 in Rock and Nobles counties. The tour offers board members and staff a valuable opportunity to experience local conservation delivery in action by visiting a variety of projects that aim to improve water quality in the region. Read the press release here.
Announcements Archive
To view previous announcements, visit the archive
Legacy Amendment
Information For Citizens: How These Dollars Are Being Spent and How You Can Participate
BWSR receives appropriations from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment to pay for on-the-ground conservation projects that provide multiple benefits for water quality and wildlife habitat.
Buffer Program
Enacted 2015 legislation requires a new approach to buffers for designated waters in Minnesota. For more information on the Buffer Initiative, please visit http://bwsr.state.mn.us/buffers/.
To view the State buffer page, click: https://mn.gov/portal/buffer-law/.
Minnesota CREP
In January 2017 Governor Mark Dayton signed a $500 million Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture. This federal, state, and local partnership will work with farmers and other landowners across 54 counties in southern and western Minnesota who choose to voluntarily implement conservation practices on up to 60,000 acres of land to restore and protect water quality and enhance habitat.
Click here to learn more about the program.
One Watershed, One Plan
One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) is an important planning initiative, conceived by local governments, passed by the legislature, and being developed by BWSR.
Click here to learn more about the program and opportunities.
Nonpoint Priority Funding Plan
The Nonpoint Priority Funding Plan (NPFP) is a criteria-based, systematic process to prioritize Clean Water Fund (CWF) nonpoint implementation investments.
Click here to learn more about the program and opportunities.
BWSR Media Center
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About BWSR
BWSR Mission: Improve and protect Minnesota's water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners
BWSR is the state soil and water conservation agency, and it administers programs that prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; and protect wetlands. The 20-member board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens.
Partners
BWSR works in partnership with local government units, state and federal government agencies, and other organizations.
Local Government Units and Partner Agencies -- Overview of BWSR's conservation partners, includes directories, maps, guidance documents and publications.
Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP)
Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP) -- Through the PRAP, BWSR staff evaluate water management entities, and, where necessary, provide assistance.
Training
The Technical Training page contains information on the Technical Training and Certification Strategy, program information, implementation details and programmatic updates.
The BWSR Training page has dates and locations of training sessions conducted by BWSR staff as well as other training-related information.
Maps
The BWSR Maps and Apps Portal contains maps and interactive web map applications that BWSR staff and partner agencies use to administer conservation programs.