Soil & Water Conservation District Guidebook 2008 - Minnesota ...

Sixth Grade
Education Day
is one of several resource
conservation education
activities that are among
the Root River SWCD’s
top priorities. This very
popular event is held early
each fall, and students are
invited from area schools
to attend the outdoor
classroom event. The
intent of this program is to
increase their knowledge
and awareness of the many
natural resources that surround them. Resource experts from
various fi elds work with the students discussing important
issues and incorporating material that makes for a fun day.
Learning stations have included wildlife, forestry, water,
soils, fi sheries, outdoor safety, and much, much more.
Between 200-300 enthusiastic students participate each year.
The hands-on learning experience has been very successful
and a great educational tool for our district.
The Push-up Pond program in Houston
County has been a huge success, due in part to conservationminded
landowners and the Citizen Advisory Committee
for Houston County’s comprehensive water plan. The
program goal is to provide resource protection by reducing
stormwater runoff, gully erosion, and sedimentation loads,
while at the same time creating additional benefi ts such as
wildlife habitat, livestock watering, and improved water
quality. The program provides $300-500 in exchange
for meeting certain program requirements. Over the last
fi ve years the SWCD has constructed 77 ponds! That was
achieved despite 2003 budget cuts that resulted in the
cancellation of push-up pond incentive payments that year.
Open lot agreement technical assistance is
provided through the cooperation of Houston County,
SE MN Water Resources Board, and MPCA. The Root
River SWCD offered technical assistance to landowners
in registering their feedlots and developing plans to meet
MPCA’s Open Lot agreement.
Top 5 Natural Resource Concerns
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Root River Soil & Water Conservation District
Changes in Agriculture and Affects on Water
Resource
Sensitivity of the Karst Topography and
Changes to Land Use and Development
Recreational Uses of Water and Impact to the
Environment
Education and Awareness of Resources and
Sensitivity
Ground Water Sensitivity in Karst
Topography
Future Projects
Bobwhite Quail Release: In an on going effort to
increase Bob White Quail in Minnesota, Root River
SWCD has joined forces with several partners to
promote establishments of critical Bob White Quail
habitat. In addition to technical and fi nancial assistance
with USDA’s CRP program, the SWCD had
offered several promotional and educational events
to encourage partnership in Habitat development.
Partners included are USFWS, Houston County Quail
Forever, MN Pheasants Forever, USDA NRCS and
FSA, private sponsors and more.
Winnebago Watershed Flood Control: Root River
SWCD is currently working on a group of large
retention structures to address fl ooding in the Winnebago
Watershed. When a USDA-Small Watershed
Assistance project (PL-566) was denied, Root River
SWCD and Houston County started looking for other
ways to fund fl ood control measures in this watershed.
Currently, 5 structures are planned with a variety
of partners including USDA-NRCS Technical Assistance,
Townships of Caledonia, Wilmington and
Winnebago, Houston County DOT, Houston County
Water Plan and private landowners. Funding from a
variety of sources includes EQIP, State Cost-Share,
Township Road & Bridge funds and Clean Water
Legacy (applied for).
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