The Wisconsin - Minnesota Wetland Functional Assessment Initiative has been completed. Further information and associated documents can be on our Wetland Functional Assessment page starting on 10/22/2025.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 30, 2023
Contact: Claire Lancaster
651-219-2975
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on June 30 announced the following appointments to the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
Lori Cox – Carver, MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources
Citizen Member
Effective: July 5, 2023
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Gerald VanAmburg
Jill Crafton – Bloomington, MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources
Watershed District Representative
Effective: July 5, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Reappointment
Todd Holman – St. Cloud, MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources
Chair
Effective: July 5, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Gerald VanAmburg
Kelly Kirkpatrick – Rochester, MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources
Elected City Official – Non-Metro
Effective: July 5, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Reappointment
Neil Peterson – Saint Hilaire, MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources
County Comissioner
Effective: July 5, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Reappointment
Michael Runk – Oak Park Heights, MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources
Elected City Official - Seven-County Metro Area
Effective: July 5, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Carly Johnson
About the Board of Water and Soil Resources:
The Board of Water and Soil Resources oversees and coordinates the water and soil resources management activities of local units of government through approval of local plans, administration of state grants, cost-sharing contracts, performance evaluation, and administrative appeals and hearings. The board’s mission is to improve and protect Minnesota’s water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners.
Procedure is required action to be followed: Procedure is the established way of doing something; a series of actions conducted in a certain order; and/or steps necessary to meet the terms of a grant agreement.
Guidance is supporting information or recommended action: Guidance consists of recommended best practices; helpful context; and/or tools, resources and examples.
The following materials are intended to be watched, printed, and/or downloaded by class participants prior to attending a MWPCP class. They are organized by each training class. Please find the course you are registered for and "grab" the materials listed under the course so that you are prepared for your class. MWPCP intends to have all of the documents below available at least one week prior to the course date.
Presentations:
Contact: Mary Juhl; mary.juhl@state.mn.us, 612-358-5733
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) awarded $3.4 million for Habitat Enhancement Landscape Program (HELP) grants to 12 organizations and governments.
HELP supports efforts to restore and enhance strategically located diverse native habitat found in Minnesota’s natural areas, conservation lands and open spaces to benefit declining populations of bees, butterflies, dragonflies, birds and other wildlife species that are essential for ecosystems and food production. HELP prioritizes large-scale initiatives on the landscape that support these declining populations, with an emphasis on protecting pollinators. The program also provides co-benefits via carbon sequestration, soil health, water quality improvements and increased landscape and climate resiliency.
“Groups receiving HELP grants will enhance hundreds of acres of native habitat to benefit pollinators and other wildlife,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “These projects will also serve as demonstration sites for the public to see and learn about pollinators in their own communities.”
Grant work will include grassland management approaches that mimic natural disturbances, such as prescribed burns followed by inter-seeding native species. Other planned work includes converting turf grasses to native grasses and forbs on public lands, such as city parks.
2024 HELP grants were awarded to the following organizations:
Procedure is required action to be followed: Procedure is the established way of doing something; a series of actions conducted in a certain order; and/or steps necessary to meet the terms of a grant agreement.
Guidance is supporting information or recommended action: Guidance consists of recommended best practices; helpful context; and/or tools, resources and examples.
Effective Date: 07/01/2025
