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Windbreaks or shelterbelts are generally established to protect or shelter nearby areas from troublesome winds. Such plantings are used to reduce wind erosion, protect growing plants (crops and forage), manage snow, and improve irrigation efficiency. Windbreaks also protect structures and livestock, provide wildlife habitat, improve aesthetics, and provide tree or shrub products. Also, when used as a living screen, windbreaks control views and lessen noise. Windbreaks are "environmental buffers" that are planted in a variety of settings, such as on cropland, pasture, and rangeland (sometimes referred to as "living barns"), along roads, farmsteads, feedlots, and in urban areas. Windbreaks and shelterbelts are normally established concurrently with other practices as part of a conservation management system. If you are interested in establishing a windbreak or shelterbelt contact Pope SWCD for more information at 320-634-5327 or email us.
On these sites they were able to show side by side comparisons of leaving the land the way it is (idle land), burning, grazing, and mowing. On the DNR site the study showed the best comparison. The land that was left idle looked considerably different than the land that had been burned, mowed, or grazed. These three options showed similar results that overall benefited the land and the wildlife on it. One thing many commented on was the working relationship of the group. The working group consists of private land owners, Fish and Wildlife Service, MN DNR, The Nature Conservancy, Pope SWCD, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency and more. This group has shown that a diverse work group can work together even though their ultimate goals could be quite different. Those that attended the tour were treated to a steak lunch for a minimal charge, prepared by the Glacial Ridge Cattlemen's Association at Swift Falls Park. The overall consensus of the group was that this was a good project and that the working relationship of the group was something more organizations should strive for. Working Lands Initiative Booklet - 4 MB
Riparian forest buffers of sufficient width intercept sediment, nutrients, pesticides, and other materials in surface runoff and reduce nutrients and other pollutants in shallow subsurface water flow. Woody vegetation in buffers provides food and cover for wildlife, helps lower water temperatures by shading water body, and slows out-of-bank flood flows. In addition, the vegetation closest to the stream or water body provides litter fall and large woody debris important to aquatic organisms. Also, the woody roots increase the resistance of water flows or waves. Some species established or managed in riparian forest buffer can be managed to provide timber, wood fiber, and horticulture products. Buffers are located by permanent or intermittent streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and seeps. Many of these areas have year-round or seasonal beneficial moisture, which allows woody species to establish quickly. A new riparian forest can rapidly benefit a variety of settings, such as cropland, rangeland, forestland, and urban areas. To learn more about Riparian Buffers and how they can be implemented into your landscape contact the Pope SWCD at 320-634-5327.
Pope SWCD and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, are working together to administer water quality analysis on eight lakes in Pope County. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency initiated a project entitled the “Pope County 8 Lake TMDL Study”. The lakes identified in this project are: Ann, Emily, Gilcrest, Leven, Malmedahl, Pelican, Reno, and Strandness. All States are required under Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act to identify and restore waters not meeting the State’s standard for water quality. A test known as ‘Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)’ is used to identify impaired water for excessive nutrients, usually phosphorus. The study will identify sources of pollutants in a body of water, determine the reductions in nutrient loads for the lake to meet State standards for water quality and develop a strategy to restore the lakes. Pope 8 Lakes TMDL Implementation Plan – October 2010 DRAFT (10MB) TMDL Study PDF | TMDL Study PowerPoint
Purpose: The Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD), with support from The Farmer magazine, offers the the MASWCD Outstanding Conservationist Award to recognize individuals, conservation organizations, and others for outstanding accomplishments with implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota’s natural resources. Recognition will be given for accomplishments between July 1 of last year and June 30 of this year. Each year Pope Soil & Water Conservation District selects an Outstanding Conservationist of the Year. Eligibility: In order for an entry to be included in the recognition program, the member district must have completed and submitted the District Capacity Award score sheet to the MASWCD office by the deadline. SWCD supervisors, SWCD employees, and employees of our state and federal agency partners are not eligible for recognition through this program. If you would like to recognize an SWCD supervisor, please consult materials for the MASWCD Outstanding Supervisor Award. If you would like to recognize an SWCD employee, please consult materials for the Outstanding District Employee of the Year Award (administered by the Board of Water & Soil Resources). Following is the criteria that we use in selecting the Outstanding Conservationist of the Year: Past Outstanding Conservationists of the Year:
The history of the Herman Rosholt Research Farm goes back over 3 decades. A series of research trials have been completed over the years. The Farm was purchased by Pope SWCD in conjunction with Kandiyohi SWCD, and Stearns SWCD on May 27, 1968. The location is near Westport in Eastern Pope County. This location was chosen after a lengthy study was conducted by a Soil Scientist. It was determined that the 40 acres had the required uniform soil type, soil depth, level, topography, and adequate water for the irrigation research. Eventually Pope SWCD became the sole owner of the farm. The objective of the farm is to conduct soil and water research. Research at the farm over the years has been conducted by ARS Soil and Engineering Scientists from the Morris ARS Station. Cooperation research projects were conducted under the direction of University of Minnesota Soils and Agronomy Extension Specialists and Orville Gunderson, Area Soils Agent, Morris, Dean Eisenhauer and Jerry Wright, Area Irrigation Engineers, and Jack Morris, Pope County Extension Director who gave local leadership to conducting research and demonstrations. The US Forest Service has Cottonwood Research Trials and Pope SWCD in conjunction with WesMin RC&D planted Hybrid Poplar Stool beds back in 1993. The stool beds were harvested every year in December. For more information on the hybrid poplar cuttings click here. Today the stool beds are gone but research remains. Hybrid Poplar research continues with the help of the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Watch for more information on upcoming field days. For more information about the Rosholt Research Farm contact us.
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