ACTIVITY SUMMARY
BWSR is the state soil and water conservation agency charged with helping meet the state's goals for clean water, clean air, and abundant fish and wildlife. The 78% of state land that is held in private ownership -- farms, forests, and urban areas -- contribute greatly to the production of environmental goods and benefits including cleaner air and water, fish and wildlife habitat, and preservation of open spaces.
Staff members in Bemidji, Brainerd, Duluth, Detroit Lakes, Mankato, Marshall, Rochester, St. Paul, and Waite Park provide grants, technical assistance, and training to local entities for projects with landowners and conservation groups to:
• Prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams
• Enhance fish and wildlife habitat
• Protect wetlands
The local-state conservation delivery system ensures that state policy is implemented with local issues and problems in mind -- and our work together has improved and protected Minnesota’s water and soil resources in spite of intensified agriculture, greater demands for forest products, and rapid urbanization in many parts of the state.