Weed-whacker: BWSR grant fuels Anoka County partnership
A 2018 BWSR grant spurred the creation of the Anoka Cooperative Weed Management Area, a partnership of local organizations that strives to combat invasive weeds through cost-share funding, workshops and mapping and monitoring. The partnership received an additional $15,000 grant in 2020 to continue the work.
Lincoln County easements set standard
The Lincoln County easements that fixed a ditch system at a fraction of the cost, created water storage and augmented wildlife habitat could serve as a state model for cooperation and leveraged funding. Partners included two townships, Lincoln SWCD, the Yellow Medicine River Watershed District, Area II joint powers board, MnDOT and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Cover crops: A means to expand beef herd
Working with Becker SWCD and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service staff, a Becker County family explores soil health, no-till and rotational grazing opportunities that would allow them to expand their farm without buying more land. EQIP assistance from NRCS and a Clean Water Fund grant from BWSR that benefits the Upper Buffalo River watershed are in play.
Tech Talks augment training
The Technical Training and Certification Program recently launched Tech Talks, an online weekly training series focused on engineering and ecological science. The new series is geared toward Minnesota conservation workers seeking job approval authority. Tech Talks are presented live at 1 p.m. each Monday.