Pope Soil & Water

2016 Poster Contest Results

The Pope SWCD staff presented this year’s poster contest theme “We All Need Trees” to three schools Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Minnewaska, and Glacial Hills. The contest was open to 5th and 6th grade students. The winners are:

BBE and Overall Poster Contest Winners:

1st Place-Aynsley Preble

2nd Place-Lydia Mitchell

3rd Place-Ryli Laage

Glacial Hills Poster Contest Winners:

1st Place-Devin Mikel

2nd Place-Miranda Longtin

3rd Place-Dominic Maijala

Minnewaska Poster Contest Winners:

1st Place-Dakota Holder

2nd Place-Berkley Steffen

3rd Place-Lily Anderson

Grazing Workshop to Be Held July 19th

Pope County Natural Resources, Pope SWCD, the Land Stewardship project, and Glacial Ridge Cattelmen’s Association, will be hosting a grazing management field day. The field day will consist of a tour of two operating rotational grazing systems where the producers will share information on their projects including fencing, watering systems, utilizing cover crops, and invasive species management.

The tour will focus on beef cattle operations but management practices can be applied to all classes of grazing livestock. Topics covered will include:

Intensive grazing for pasture production and for rejuvenating native prairie

Utilizing a pipeline system to provide clean water to grazing livestock
Utilizing cover crops to assist in removing old pastures, grazing and improving soil health
Invasive species management to improve pasture and grassland health
A rainfall simulator demonstration will be presented showing how good stewardship protects our soils.

An evening meal will be provided. Reservations are requested by July 14th to secure a meal. For more information contact the Pope NRCS/SWCD office at 320-634-5327.

Landowner Comments Sought On Buffer Maps Through May 31st

Comment Period Open on Statewide Buffer Mapping Project

In the previous year, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been creating a Buffer Protection Map, based on the current public waters inventory, distinguishing the public waters requiring a buffer. Buffers are defined as “an area consisting of perennial vegetation, excluding invasive plants and noxious weeds, adjacent to bodies of water within the state and that protects the water resources of the state from runoff pollution; stabilizes soils, shores and banks; and protects or provides riparian corridors”. The Minnesota DNR has produced a preliminary buffer map. This map is currently open for public viewing, review, and has an open comment period. The buffer protection map can be found online at http://arcgis.dnr.state.mn.us/gis/buffersviewer/. The comment period will be close May 31, 2016.

After the comment period is closed, the Minnesota DNR will begin finalization of the Buffer Protection Map’s public waters and ditches. Public waters will be required to have a 50 foot average with a 30 foot minimum buffer by November 1, 2017. County Ditches will be required to have a 16.5 foot buffer by November 1, 2018. Please be aware that Pope County has a shoreland ordinance. The counties shoreland ordinance requires a 50 foot, no variable width, buffer on multiple water bodies, including some county ditches. This information can be found at the Pope County Land and Resource office, Pope Soil and Water Conservation District office and online at http://gis.co.pope.mn.us/link/jsfe/index.aspx?defaultRole=Public.

Pope Soil and Water Conservation District is able to assist each landowner with identifying areas of interest, determining requirements, technical assistance, and compliance verification. We can also review the DNR buffer map with you and submit the comments directly. If you have questions or concerns about what may be required, technical assistance, or other guidance about the Buffer and Soil Loss Statute, please stop by the office or make an appointment with Jessica Oldakowski.

Pope SWCD Promotes Soil and Water Stewardship Week

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.