The Mission of the Mille Lacs Lake Soil and Water Conservation District is to assist area people with soil and water resource management.
SWCDs are local units of government that provide design ideas and financial assistance to individuals, other local government units, or other organizations to make conservation actions happen. We provide support or technical expertise to help the community learn more about local natural resources. We support restoring shoreland and wetlands, keeping private forest land healthy and productive, and partner with agricultural producers and the business community and implement effective practices for keeping our water clean.
SWCDs lack levy authority and are reliant on external funding to meet operational needs. Funding may be sourced from county allocation, state funds, competitive grants, or contracted services. We work very closely with other local governments like counties, townships and cities and are often confused with county government, yet we are separate with an independently elected local board.
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Our History
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) were created in response to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, also known as the “dirty thirties”. Intensive farming, during a time of drought, allowed high winds to erode the landscape and carry clouds of dust from the Great Plains all the way to Washington, D.C. Districts were subsequently developed across the country to encourage landowners to alter their farming techniques in order to more wisely use our soil and water resources. These Districts were organized along county boundaries with the purpose of managing and directing conservation programs and assisting landowners in conserving soil and water resources.
Over the years, soil and water conservation districts expanded their focus beyond agriculture to also provide assistance in forested, lakes and urban areas in their communities. Districts have also expanded their base of clientele to include not only private landowners, but also other units of government such as counties, cities, townships and watershed districts.
The Mille Lacs SWCD was established in 1953 and is governed by five locally elected supervisors who hold monthly public meetings. The District employs three regular full time staff in addition to temporary and seasonal staff hired to implement specific grant funded projects.
The SWCD provides technical and financial assistance to county residents, local government units, and watershed organizations as well as other agencies and organizations. We also provide assistance to individuals and organizations with natural resource management plans, implementation of the Wetland Conservation Act, natural resource education, and implementation of effective natural resource practices.
Our programs are funded through a variety of sources including county allocation, grants, contracts with local government units and watershed organizations, state and federal cost share, and a small amount from private industry.
SWCD staff will come to your home, farm or business to help solve erosion and drainage problems, suggest planting plans, and connect you with financial assistance and designs for projects.
For more information, visit the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts website at: MASWCD, What is an SWCD?