Contact: Mary Juhl; (651)-215-9008
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has selected five soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) to receive grant funding through the Keep it Clean Program, a new initiative which aims to protect Minnesota’s lakes by preventing water pollution from garbage and other waste left on the ice during winter use activities such as ice fishing.
Awarded recipients:
- Aitkin County Soil & Water Conservation District
- Beltrami Soil and Water Conservation District
- Cass Soil and Water Conservation District
- Crow Wing Soil & Water Conservation District
- Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District
The grants will support activities that help prevent pollution, such as ice cleanup events and education and outreach efforts. Individual awards range from $24,500 to $40,000.
“This new program will engage winter sporting communities to help find ways they can proactively protect the resources Minnesotans rely on for ice fishing and other winter recreational activities,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “Helping ice anglers reduce waste will improve water quality and keep our lakes ready for Minnesotans to enjoy throughout the year.”
The Keep it Clean Program is funded by a one-time, $200,000 general fund appropriation made earlier this year.