About the Stevens SWCD

The Pomme de Terre River at Morris, MN

SWCDs are local units of government that manage and direct natural resource management programs at the local level. Districts work with landowners in both rural and urban settings to carry out a program for the conservation, use, and development of soil, water, and related resources.

Districts fill the crucial niche of providing soil and water conservation services to owners of private lands. Privately owned lands make up 78 percent of the land surface in Minnesota. Private landowners receive trusted conservation advice and assistance from SWCDs, which are governed by local leaders and focused on the conservation and other needs specific to the area they serve.

Stevens SWCD employs a staff of 6 full and part-time employees to accomplish our mission. We work, many times in partnership with other conservation agencies and groups, to carry out important duties such as these:

• Work with the Stevens County Environmental Services Coordinator to co-administer the Wetland Conservation Act in Stevens County
• Serve on the County Local Water Management Plan committee
• Work with agencies such as BWSR, NRCS and FSA to promote CRP, WRP/RIM and various other conservation programs in Stevens County and assist landowners with sign-ups into these programs
• Provide educational opportunities for youth and adults in Stevens County
• Provide planning and design of conservation projects and perform tree and grass planting and maintenance services
• Work with the MPCA and other counties within the watershed to coordinate watershed activities including TMDL studies and implementation plans and various water quality and quantity monitoring activities