Working Together on the Bluffs of the St. Croix
The St. Croix River is well-known to most Minnesotans. Designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, the St. Croix and the bluffs that surround it are home to a wealth of plant and animal species, some of which you won’t find anywhere else. Changes in land use and land disturbances have accelerated gully erosion of the bluffs, and the Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District has been hard at work engaging landowners to address the issue. Read the story here.
The Science of Irrigation Management
If you’ve spent any time driving through Minnesota’s farmland, you’ve likely seen long booms inching across fields, showering the crops below. The Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has established an irrigation assistance program that provides farmers with the information they need to help keep that water resource equation in balance, saving farmers money and protecting the state’s water resources. Read the story here.
Technology Makes a Difference for the Faribault SWCD
Inspecting drainage systems? There’s an app for that. Faribault County Soil and Water Conservation District’s new Drainage System Online Management Tool was funded through the 2012 Clean Water Fund grant. The new technology is making a big difference for the SWCD. Read the story here.
Restoring Wetlands in Anoka County
Wetland mitigation restores the lost ecological services of wetlands that are impacted during road construction. As wetlands are degraded, the local ecology suffers. Wetland restoration projects help prevent flooding, provide new wildlife habitat and protect water quality as compensation for wetlands impacted by road projects. BWSR is partnering with the City of Andover in Anoka County on one such project, restoring wetland to an area that has been drained since 1931. Read the story here.
Featured Plant of the month: Prairie Smoke
Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) has finished blooming for the season, but their wispy, smoke-like seedheads are just starting to ripen in prairies and native gardens across Minnesota. The seeds are easy to collect and can be sown in areas where they will have sufficient sun and well drained soils. Read more here.
Read past stories
Announcements
July 14, 2014
BWSR seeks nominations for Targeted Watershed Demonstration Program
The Board of Water and Soil Resources is seeking nominations for three to six watersheds for the Targeted Watershed Demonstration Program. The nomination period will be open through August 29. The complete Request for Interest can be found at http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/grants/apply/index.html.
June 27, 2014
BWSR Train Tracks
Training news and updates, including BWSR training, partners' training, and news.
June 26, 2014
BWSR Launches Statewide Water Initiative
St. Paul, Minn. —The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) launched the One Watershed, One Plan pilot program today, allocating up to $900,000 in Clean Water Fund grants to fund five pilot projects to address water quality on a watershed basis. BWSR’s vision with this program is to align planning on major watershed boundaries with prioritized, targeted, and measurable watershed plans that will be developed and implemented locally. Read the news release.
June 6, 2014
BWSR 2014 Legislative Summary
The Minnesota Legislature officially adjourned its 2013-2014 Session on Friday, May 16. A lot of work was packed into a short amount of time. Click here for a summary of the key items affecting BWSR.
June 2, 2014
Reinvest in Minnesota Reserve Buffer Easement Program sign-up now available
St. Paul, Minn. — Partnering with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) announced the 2014 Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve Riparian Buffer Easement Program sign-up is now open. Read the news release.
May 1, 2014
BWSR recognizes 59th Soil and Water Stewardship Week
St. Paul, Minn. - The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) honors and celebrates the work of Soil and Water Conservation Districts as part of Soil and Water Stewardship Week, April 27 – May 4. Read the news release.
March 26, 2014
BWSR launches Targeted Watershed Demonstration Program, announces $5.7 million in new grants
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources announced today $5.7 million in Clean Water Fund grants to help improve Minnesota’s waters through its Targeted Watershed Demonstration Program, a new funding approach for addressing water pollution. Read the news release.
February 27, 2014
BWSR issues $4.6 million in flood relief grants
As part of its strategic, phased approach to flood relief, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) announced additional funding today to enable Northeast Minnesota to continue recovery efforts from the devastating floods of June 2012. Read the news release.
February 18, 2014
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103F Soil Erosion Law: History, Perspectives and Recommendations
This paper was intended to frame questions and comments in relation to the Minnesota’s present soil erosion law. Click here for the discussion paper.
February 3, 2014
2014 Clean Water Fund Performance Report
The 2014 report is now available, please click here. This interagency report tracks progress on Clean Water Fund expenditures through reporting on investments, actions, and outcomes for 25 difference measures.
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.
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 data for local government units -- Through the Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP), BWSR staff evaluate water management entities, and, where necessary, provide assistance.
Training
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 Map Portal contains maps that BWSR staff and partner agencies use to administer conservation programs.