Pope SWCD PROMOTES SOIL AND WATER STEWARDSHIP WEEK

The Pope Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) wants to remind you that each of us has a connection to natural resources. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is celebrating the 61st year of Stewardship Week April 24 – May 1, 2016. The 2016 Stewardship Week hinges around the theme “We All Need Trees.” Trees provide us with a multitude of benefits and services including, but not limited to: clean air and water, healthy soil, shade, wood products, fuel, and jobs.

Holly Kovarik acts as the District Manager for Pope SWCD. The District was formed in 1969 to assist people in Pope County with technical assistance for conservation of land and water through project implementation. During Stewardship Week, Pope SWCD has provided materials to 25 churches and has presented this year’s poster contest theme to three schools within the County.

“Educating the public about the importance of trees in our daily lives is an essential part of what NACD advocates for through natural resource conservation and is the essence of this year’s Stewardship theme,” said NACD President Lee McDaniel. “Trees and forests are critical to providing clean air and water, healthy soil, abundant wildlife habitat, and valuable products we use every day.”

Your local conservation district can assist you in learning more about trees and the species native to your area of the country. They can also provide insight on tree planting, care and maintenance as well as information for how to protect tress from invasive species. Districts have a long-standing history of working with state and private forest owners in helping promote and safeguard our nation’s forested lands.

Pope SWCD is a member of NACD which oversees the Stewardship Week program. Stewardship Week is one of the largest national annual programs to promote conservation. NACD represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, which were established to encourage resource conservation across the country.

Pope SWCD encourages you to participate in conservation activities through the entire year. For information about Stewardship Week and conservation, contact Holly Kovarik at (320) 634-5327 or holly.kovarik@mn.nacdnet.net.