Conservation Corps builds careers
Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa crews build skills and make connections with potential employers. Soil and water conservation districts gain a trained labor force. "It’s been a huge help for water quality in the state," said Brian Miller, AmeriCorps program director. Visit a Stearns County SWCD project on the Mississippi River north of St. Cloud. Click here for full story.
Farmer sees conservation opportunity in Buffer Law
"When the Buffer Law came in, it just encouraged me to get more aggressive in creating habitat." — Barry Springborn, Isanti County landowner
After Minnesota’s Buffer Law was enacted, Cambridge-area farmer Barry Springborn installed pollinator-friendly plants and forested buffers to protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat. Springborn plans to install additional conservation practices, starting with a 2-acre prairie restoration in the spring.
Click here for full story.
Southwest Prairie TSA buoys training
The addition of an engineer based in the Lincoln County Soil & Water Conservation District office allowed the Southwest Prairie Technical Service Area (TSA 5) to better handle the training and technical support needs of its member SWCDs. The 11-county service area includes Cottonwood County, Jackson County, Lac qui Parle County, Lincoln County, Lyon County, Murray County, Nobles County, Pipestone County, Redwood County, Rock County and Yellow Medicine County. Click here for full story.
'They’re all working together'
"The state, the county, area farmers — they’re all working together to try to stop the nutrient flow as much as possible into the lake, which ultimately is going to affect the entire watershed." — Jay Witty, Lake Volney Association
The Cannon River benefits from the conservation work farmers and lakeshore property owners have accomplished through the Le Sueur Soil & Water Conservation District. A Clean Water Fund grant targeting priority projects to reduce runoff wrapped up in 2018.
Click here for full story.
A flood, a phone call, a wave of relief
"You’re supposed to leave this place better than you found it. That’s my deal." — Greg Taylor of Marshall, on his extensive conservation work with Area II Minnesota River Basin Projects and Lyon Soil & Water Conservation District
A series of dams built to slow floodwaters held up after hard summer rains, sparing downstream agricultural land from the damage seen elsewhere. The oldest was built nearly 20 years ago.
Click here for full story.
Plant of the Month: False sunflower
The first sunflower-like plant to bloom in the summer, false sunflower produces erect (rather than side-facing) blooms that attract pollinators including bees, butterflies and beetles. Its long blooming season makes false sunflower a popular choice for wildflower gardens.
Botanist Susan Nelson, a volunteer invasive plant surveyor who has worked in private and public sectors, provides specifics about February’s Plant of the Month.
Click here for full story.
Read past stories
Announcements
February 19, 2019
BWSR 2019 Budget Fact Sheet
St. Paul, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz released his budget plan for the 2020-2021 biennium on Feb. 19. Click here to read more about what the budget means for BWSR.
December 27, 2018
BWSR Awards $13.7 million in Clean Water Fund Grants
St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved $13.7 million in Clean Water Fund grants on December 19 to improve water quality in streams, lakes, and groundwater across the state. Read the press release here.
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.