2009 Trees/Shrubs Order Form PDF Tree/Shrub Varieties and Descriptions The Right Tree Handbook Employment Application Microsoft Word document Employment Application Adobe PDF Download Adobe Reader FREE now to view PDFs   All contents are the property of Pope County SWCD and are the views and opinions of the District. The District's goal is to provide quality and accurate information and products. All information within this site is subject to change and should serve only as a guideline for the districts services and procedures. For the most accurate information, please call (320) 634-5327. Pope Soil & Water Conservation District prohibits discrimination in all their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.		Board Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month JUNE 16, 2009 Board Mtg. 7 a.m. Celebrating 60 Years of Conservation! JULY 21, 2009 Board Mtg. 7 a.m.

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Conservation Today


There are over 3,000 conservation districts-one in almost every county. Minnesota has 91 districts with a board of elected supervisors that oversee the operations of the districts. There are 5 individuals that sit on this board. Now the conservation districts help to educate about conserving land, water, forests, wildlife, and other natural resource through different programs.

Conservation districts area subdivision of local government under state law to carry out a program for conservation, use and development of soil, and water related resources.

Local districts work with land managers, local government agencies, and others interested in addressing a broad spectrum of concerns: erosion control, flood prevention, water conservation and use, wetlands, ground water, water quality and quantity, non-point source pollution, forest land protection, wildlife, recreation, waste water management, and community development. This work varies in accordance with the needs and resources of the district. Each district has a governing body of local people, elected or appointed. They share their talents and experience and knowledge of the community needs and resources to guide districts in setting goals and priorities for carrying out programs. They work in cooperation with and in some states, under direction of a state conservation agency through which state funding and other assistance is provided.

What is a Conservation District?


In the 1930's there was a great ecological disaster called the "Dust Bowl". Which had huge dust storms that enveloped the countryside. A soil scientist by the name of Hugh Bennett in 1935 testified on Capitol Hill. He opened the curtains to show the blackened sky and Congress immediately declared soil and water conservation a national policy and priority. It was evident that this would have to be supported by private landowners, as the land was more than three-quarters privately owned. So this is how the idea of a soil and water conservation district was developed.