Holly Kovarik and Kelly Erickson from Pope Soil and Water Conservation District, attended a legislative briefing and meetings at the State Capitol March 5-6 in St. Paul.
They joined a group of other officials from the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) who met in St. Paul to gather support for conservation districts’ programs and issues.
“It is important for us to get the conservation message out to our elected officials in St. Paul,” said Holly Kovarik, of Glenwood. The 2019 Legislative Session is critical to the future of conservation districts in the state, noted Kelly Erickson. “This year, included in the many issues legislators and the Governor are addressing is state funding for SWCDs as well as funding for the programs and projects they deliver. We have to work hard to make sure the state’s commitment to sharing in the funding needs of SWCDs doesn’t fall by the way-side. Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts play an integral role in enhancing Minnesotan’s quality of life through conservation on private lands, which yields environmental, wildlife and aesthetic benefits to the public.
During the visit to St. Paul, Kovarik and Erickson met with local legislators: Representative Paul Anderson, Representative Jeff Backer, and Senator Torrey Westrom.
The event was sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
SWCDs fill the crucial niche of providing land and water conservation services to owners of private lands. For more information on the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District, please call 320-634-5327.