Annual board tour highlights wellhead protection
BWSR board members, local partners and conservation staff visited nine project sites in Rock and Nobles counties during the Aug. 22 annual board tour. This year’s focus: wellhead protection and flood recovery efforts. Read more.
Conservation, cover crops & communication
The Winona County SWCD used local capacity funds to hire an employee with cover crop expertise, provide cost-share and increase its outreach. Read more.
Fixing septics, protecting groundwater
Sheila Craig of the Southeast Minnesota Wastewater Initiative helps communities such as Cedar Beach on Lake Zumbro near Rochester find solutions to hard-to-fix and out-of-compliance septic systems. Read more.
Groundwater reports round out data
With access to Groundwater Restoration and Protection Strategies reports, planners now have a more comprehensive picture of restoration and protection options as they move ahead with One Watershed, One Plan. Read more.
Big Trout: 'A resource worth saving'
Big Trout Lake is among the few lakes outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that support cold-water-loving lake trout. Crow Wing Soil & Water Conservation District’s $400,000 stormwater treatment project aims to protect that water quality. Read more.
Plant of the Month: Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Unique among members of the aster family, square-stemmed cup plant produces a profusion of yellow flowers. Critters drink from the cup, which forms where the opposite leaves meet the stem. Read more.
Read past stories
Announcements
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
Connect With Us:
Enter your email address below to choose your subscription topics and receive email updates:
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.