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St. Paul, Minn.— Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Executive Director John Jaschke presented the 2019 Outstanding Watershed District Employee award on Friday, Dec. 6 to Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) Lake and Stream Specialist Matt Kocian. The recognition ceremony took place during the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts’ (MAWD) annual conference in Alexandria.

“Local conservation staff are the driving force behind successful water quality improvement projects,” Jaschke said. “Matt Kocian’s dedication to preserving our water resources is commendable, and we appreciate all he does to protect and improve water quality in the RCWD.”

Kocian has been the RCWD Lake and Stream Specialist for the past 12 years. During this time, he has led high-profile district initiatives and maintains a strong working relationship with area news outlets by using humor, storytelling, research and science to inform and change behaviors in the watershed. He consistently applies his expertise to assist lake associations, stakeholder groups, conservation professionals and the public.

Watershed initiatives where Kocian has demonstrated outstanding work include:

• RCWD Carp management plan: Kocian provides regional and statewide leadership for an enterprising carp management plan that has resulted in a shrinking carp population in the watershed. The program involves radio tagging carp to monitor behavior for management and removal, plus use of innovative low-voltage electric barriers that block migration and guide migrating fish into traps for removal; 40,000 pounds of carp were removed in the program’s first year. Read BWSR’s Clean Water Fund article on the project here.
• Middle Rice Creek meander restoration project: Kocian led an effort completed in 2016 to return a segment of Middle Rice Creek once straightened to support agriculture to its natural state. This effort included restoring the creek’s historic meanders, stabilizing streambanks and improving habitat. The restored segment provides an enhanced recreational paddling route in addition to water quality benefits. Read BWSR’s Clean Water Fund article on the project here.
• Bald Eagle Lake TMDL implementation project: Kocian implemented Minnesota’s largest aluminum sulfate treatment on Bald Eagle Lake from 2012-2016, one of three projects to improve water quality. The lake began meeting state water quality standards shortly after completion of the three-part TMDL implementation project.

Each year, BWSR celebrates the excellent work accomplished by local government staff to advance conservation efforts across the state. An award for Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee will be presented Dec. 9 at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ annual conference in Minneapolis.
 

Photo Caption: Rice Creek Watershed District Lake and Stream Specialist Matt Kocian was named Watershed District Employee of the Year. Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Executive Director John Jaschke presented the award Dec. 6 during the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts’ annual conference at the Arrowwood Conference Center in Alexandria. Photo credit: Ann Wessel, BWSR  

St. Paul, Minn.—West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District (WPSWCD) District Manager Nicole Bernd is the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources' (BWSR) 2019 Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee. Bernd was honored during the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ (MASWCD) annual convention in Minneapolis Dec. 9, though she was unable to attend the recognition ceremony  due to inclement weather. Bernd will be presented with the award at a later date. 

“Local conservation staff go above and beyond every day to preserve and protect our water and soil resources,” Jaschke said. “Nicole Bernd demonstrates professional excellence alongside a commitment to collaborative planning processes that benefit watersheds both within and beyond the district she leads.”

Bernd has played an essential role in two One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) planning efforts. She acted as facilitator for the Wild Rice/Marsh Watershed 1W1P and has been a major contributor to the Red Lake River 1W1P process as they move toward plan implementation. The expertise she gained through these planning efforts has resulted in numerous speaking requests by local conservation groups embarking on similar planning processes.

In addition to her work on 1W1P, Bernd completed a multimillion-dollar water quality and habitat project in 2018 on the Sand Hill River, coordinating multiple agencies and acting as grant fiscal agent and project manager. The project was completed under budget with greater impact than anticipated thanks to Bernd’s sound fiscal and project management. Bernd also coordinated the Minnesota Geological Survey Polk County Atlas project and serves as President of the Northwest Association of Conservation District employees.

Each year, BWSR celebrates the excellent work accomplished by soil and water conservation district staff that advances conservation efforts across the state.

Photo Caption: West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District District Manager Nicole Bernd is the 2019 Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee. She is pictured above (center) serving on a local government panel on Oct. 31 during the 2019 BWSR Academy. Bernd was unable to attend the Dec. 9 recognition ceremony due to inclement weather; the award will be presented to her at a later date. Photo credit: Mary Juhl, BWSR