Rum River Watershed

The Rum River Watershed Partnership (RRWP) is a group of local and tribal government units within the watershed, as well as their partners from state and federal agencies, non-profits, citizens, and other stakeholders. The Partnership works together to unify strategy for water management in the watershed through the Rum River Comprehensive Management Plan.

Rum River Comprehensive Management PlanDownload

The Rum River Watershed was recently recognized by the Board of Soil and Water Resources.
Read the Conservation Story here!

Information and Links:

Rum Partnership Annual Plan of Work:

WBIF Grant Work Plan Documents:

Map of the Rum River Watershed

Rum River Watershed Partnership Board

The RRWP Board consists of officials (county commissioners, SWCD board members, etc.) to oversee the comprehensive plan’s implementation. Board members vote to accept/deny grants, contracts, projects, etc.

Joint Powers Agreement

Bylaws

List of Rum River Watershed Partnership Board Members

Upcoming Meeting

RRWP JPE Board Meeting: March 26, 2026

Time: 4;30pm-6:30pm

Location: Mille Lacs Historic Courthouse, Lower Level, Conference Room D

Members may be participating by interactive technology.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89056702918?pwd=BV82LLYDc77c1dXquFbba0rakqg7QS.1

Meeting Materials:

2026.03.26 RRWP Agenda Packet

Archived Meeting Materials

Implementation Planning Committee (IPC)

The IPC consists of technical staff from each member partner that prepares contracts, works on projects, and implements the plan.

Upcoming Meeting

Date: March 9, 2026

Members may be participating by interactive technology.

IPC Agenda

Time: 12:30-2:30 pm

Archived Meeting Materials

Green Grass on Forest

Landscape Stewardship Plan

What is a Landscape Stewardship Plan?

Effective landscape conservation is a compelling challenge across the United States. Declining water quality, climate change, forestland conversions, wildfires, and invasive species are among many threats to our Nation’s forests and the ecosystem services they provide. Forestlands cover roughly 42 percent of the Midwest and Northeast states, with 77 percent of those forests in private ownership. There are nearly 5 million private forest landowners in these 20 states. With over one quarter of the Nation’s forests, and nearly half (43%) of the Nation’s population in this region, conserving our forests is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

Landscape stewardship is the process established by the US Congress through policy directives in the 2008 Farm Bill to face these challenges. Leadership from the USDA Forest Service and the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters (NAASF) developed a vision for landscape scale conservation to address these threats. They recognized the public and private benefits that planning and managing forestlands across boundaries are best addressed through integrated local based partnerships with supporting resources.

The Rum River Landscape Stewardship Plan

The Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) in conjunction with the Minnesota DNR, local County governments, and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, have developed a watershed-based Landscape Stewardship Plan that targets specific areas of need within the Rum River Watershed. This Landscape Stewardship Plan is an important resource in the development of the Rum River Comprehensive Watershed Plan.

Rum_LSP_complete_plan_FINALDownload

Welcome to our Resources and Information Page!

Explore a variety of resources to support your work in the Rum River Watershed! Use the tabs below to find what you need, and feel free to reach out to our Outreach Coordinators, Molly Clyne at Mille Lacs SWCD (molly.clyne@millelacsswcd.org) or Lydia Godfrey at Isanti SWCD (lgodfrey@isantiswcd.org), for more information or any questions.

Click here to go to the Rum River Watershed Project Tracker

Do you want the quick facts of the Partnership and the Comprehensive Plan? Check out our Orientation Sheet.

Want to learn about how the Rum River Comprehensive Plan and Partnership came to be? Click here to access our Story Map!

Check out our 2023 annual report to see what we accomplished last year.

Take a peek at these awesome educational videos put together by partners across the watershed.

We have some great past webinars for you to view! Check them out below.

Discover the power of native plants and pollinators! Dive into resources that show how adding native plants can beautify your space, support local wildlife, and help keep our watershed healthy. From attracting butterflies to creating habitats for bees, explore how you can make a positive impact right in your backyard!

Explore resources to support agriculture in the Rum River Watershed! Whether you’re looking for tips on soil health, funding opportunities, or conservation practices, we’ve gathered tools and information to help your land thrive while protecting our shared water and soil. Let’s grow a healthy future together!

Discover ways to enhance urban spaces and lakeshores in the Rum River Watershed! From erosion control and native planting tips to water-friendly landscaping ideas, these resources will help you create beautiful, resilient spaces that protect our water and wildlife. Dive in and make a splash for cleaner, healthier shorelines and communities!

Explore resources for forestry and rural land management in the Rum River Watershed! From woodland stewardship and tree planting guidance to resources on wildlife habitat, these tools support you in caring for your land while protecting water quality and local ecosystems. Let’s work together to keep our forests and rural areas thriving!