Pope Soil & Water

Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949

Providing Quality Conservation Resources Since 1949

This Earth Day, we are grateful for our region’s natural resources

By: Holly Kovarik, Manager 320-634-5327

Every Earth Day, we at the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District reflect on the wonderful natural resources we get to enjoy in Pope County. Our staff is grateful for the opportunity to work with members of the community to facilitate voluntary initiatives to conserve land, water, forests and wildlife in our area. We are one of 89 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) across the state – and nearly 3,000 across the nation – that provide a neighborly presence to help preserve and protect the natural resources that we all love. The Pope SWCD has been around for more than 68 years, and we’re proud of the impact we’ve made.

Recent highlights of our work completed in 2016 include: 47 structural practices, 1 alternative rock inlet project, and 3 shoreline restorations, 6 abandoned wells sealed, 10 certified Minnesota Ag Water Quality Farms totaling 5,573 acres, plus many other tree and grass plantings and conservation projects. These are just a few examples of the work we are trying to accomplish to improve and protect our natural resources in Pope County.

 

SWCDs are local units of government that carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. We provide voluntary, incentive-driven approaches to landowners for better soil and cleaner water in the State of Minnesota. Private landowners – using financial and technical assistance from local SWCDs – are implementing a wide variety of conservation practices including restoring wetlands, planting shelterbelts and buffers, and preventing soil erosion.

Born in the wake of the Dust Bowl, SWCDs have been involved in delivering conservation across America for more than 70 years. Because Minnesota has a wide variety of landscapes and conservation needs, each district operates at the direction of locally elected board supervisors. This local perspective allows SWCDs to manage the resources and serve the needs of the citizens in their district.

Soil and Water Conservation District staff and supervisors build partnerships with public and private, local, state and federal entities in an effort to develop locally-driven solutions to natural resource concerns. We work with landowners every step of the way from planning to implementation.

 

Our work results in cleaner water, healthier wildlife habitat, better soil, and a trusted, collaborative relationship with the community. What a great thing to celebrate this Earth Day.

 

To learn more about how your SWCD can help you, visit our website at www.popeswcd.org.

Rain Barrels Can Be Used For Water Conservation

By Dalton Herrboldt, Pope SWCD Intern

Want a way to utilize all that rain water that runs off of your roof and goes out your down spout? A rain barrel is your solution. It is a perfect way to capture soft water and help to reduce runoff. In the event of a rain shower rain washes chemicals, excess fertilizer, and sediment into storm sewers. You can help reduce this through the process of catching rain water in a rain barrel.

Rain water contains no chlorine, lime, or calcium making it perfect for any flowers around the house or potted plants. Being that is has no minerals in it, rain water is perfect for washing your car and will not leave the streaks that are left behind from hard water.

Rain Barrel Facts

  • Can save 1300 gallons of water throughout the growing season
  • Garden and lawn irrigation accounts for about 40% of residential water use during the summer
  • ½ inch of rain on 200 square feet of a roof is enough to fill a 60 gallon rain barrel
  • Reduces amount of water you pay for from the municipal for watering gardens and lawns

With a 32 square foot garden it is recommended to use 20 gallons of water per week. If you saved 1300 gallons of water with a rain barrel you would be able to water a 32 square foot garden for 65 weeks.

To maximize your rain water potential you can connect multiple rain water barrels together. Once the first one fills up to the overflow level it will start filling the second one, or you can hook them together from the bottom of the barrel and they will fill up at the same time. There are several different exterior designs for barrels now to match with your house or garage to your liking.

Now is the time to consider purchasing a rain barrel as the gardening season is fast approaching. The cost is $65.00 plus tax and we do have a limited supply available.  If you have an interest in collecting rain water and would like to purchase a rain barrel contact the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District at 320-634-5327.

 

 

2017 Tree Pickup Announced

Landowners that have placed a tree order with the Pope SWCD can pick up their trees on the following days and times.

Friday, April 21st 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 22nd 8:00 a.m. to Noon

Please pay by check if possible or settle up your balance before the tree pick up day.  All landowners who ordered will receive a statement in the mail within the next week or so.

The tree pickup location will be held at the Kelly Erickson Farm west of Starbuck on Hwy 28.  The address is:  33125 State Hwy 28, Starbuck, MN 56381.

Please note:  Trees and shrubs are bare root unless you ordered potted.  You will want to plant your trees as soon as you can to ensure the best survival of the trees/shrubs.  The tree/shrub roots will need to be kept moist until planting.

You will be notified if there are changes to the pickup day.  Please arrange to pick up your trees/shrubs at these scheduled times.  If you cannot make arrangements to pick up your trees during these times then please contact our office at 320-634-5327.

Sincerely,

Kelly Erickson, Technician

Pope Soil and Water Conservation District

Pope SWCD Recognized as 2016 SWCD of the Year

Pope SWCD 2016 MASWCD District of the Year Paul and Barb Koubsky 2016 Pope SWCD Conservationists of the Year

Pope SWCD board and staff attended the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Conference December 4-6 in Bloomington, Minnesota.  Pope SWCD nominated Paul and Barb Koubsky as this year’s Outstanding Conservationist for Pope County.  They were recognized at the convention during a luncheon on Tuesday, December 6th.

Pope SWCD was also named as the 2016 District of the Year.  This award is given to only one SWCD in the state that has shown leadership and has gone above and beyond in its programs and activities.