Wadena Soil & Water Conservation District
Established in 1958, the Wadena Soil & Water Conservation District was organized by local farmers, with help from the Agricultural Extension Service.
Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture Program
Producers in eight Minnesota counties may be eligible to receive $100 per acre or animal unit for integrating climate-smart agricultural practices into their farming operations. Climate-smart practices are those that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase soil health, and improve water quality.
Crow Wing Watershed Plan Public Comment Period
The Crow Wing River Watershed Comprehensive Management Plan partnership is looking for public input on the draft version of the Crow Wing River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. The Crow Wing River Watershed Comprehensive Management Plan was developed under the One Watershed One Plan Program. A One Watershed One Plan is a collaboration between Local Governments to focus efforts on Protecting, Enhancing, or Restoring focus resources like Ground Water, Surface Water, Soil Health, Biological Health, and Forest Health across a watershed boundary.
Since the spring of 2023 many partners have been working to develop the Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for the Crow Wing River Watershed. This includes Becker County/SWCD, Cass County/SWCD, Crow Wing County/SWCD, Hubbard County/SWCD, Wadena County/SWCD, Todd County/SWCD. Along with assistance from various State, Tribal and Citizen Stakeholders including White Earth Nation, DNR, MPCA, MDH, and MDA.
The Crow Wing River One Watershed One Plan work area covers a large and diverse landscape that stretches from southern Clearwater County all the way down to the mouth of the Crow Wing River near the City of Baxter. The watershed has a diverse array of landscapes from agriculturally significant river basins, drumlins, large swaths of forests, and multiple lakes regions.
To view the plan and submit input/feedback go to the Crow Wing River Watershed Comprehensive Management Plan page. This can be found on the link below and on partnering SWCD’s websites.
Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
On November 4th, 2008, Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the state constitution. The Amendment increases the sales and use tax rate by three-eighths of one percent, starting July 1, 2009 and continuing through 2034.
Amendment dollars are dedicated to four funds:
- Outdoor Heritage Fund
- Parks and Trails Fund
- Cultural Heritage Fund
- Clean Water Fund
Local Soil and Water Conservation District offices may apply for money from the Clean Water Fund to fund local projects. The Clean Water Fund was created to:
- Protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater
- Protect drinking water sources
The Clean Water Funds are distributed through the Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR). BWSR grants provide the funding to local units of government to deliver soil and water conservation services to their communities. Grant funds support and increase local capacity to implement programs and provide cost-share to landowners who install conservation practices on the land to benefit state water and soil resource.
The Legacy Logo (above) identifies projects funded by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.
