Education
Bonanza Education Day
2011 is the first year that the Big Stone SWCD presented at the Bonanza Education Day at the Bonanza Area of the State Park. Approximately 117 sixth grade students from St. Mary's, Herman/Browns Valley, Chokio/Alberta, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley and Ortonville schools participated in the Environmental Day May 5th, 2011. The theme this year was "Tiny earth spins through space...its health controlled by the human race!" Topics presented were "Leave No Trace Trail", "Be a Friend To Trees", "Don't Trash Our Planet", "Predators and Their Prey", "Stream Table Presentation", "Stay on the Trail", and the SWCD presented "What Water Would You Drink?". Presenters were from US Fish & Wildlife Service, NRCS, University of Minnesota, 4-H, DNR Fisheries, and USDA. Mr. Mike Larson, Director of the Bonanza Education Center, conducted a "knowledge Bowl" after the presentations. The weather was cooperative and we believe the students came away with a wealth of conservation insite and knowledge!
Arbor Day
Every year on the last Friday of April, in observance of Arbor Day, the Big Stone SWCD donates a tree to each of the 4th grade students in the Ortonville and Clinton schools. In previous years, the District has been donating ash trees, but with the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer, the District has now to reconsider which tree would be best for the students.
SOIL STEWARDSHIP WEEK
For more than 50 years, the National Association of Conservation Districts has sponsored a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. The program relies on locally-led conservation districts sharing and promoting stewardship and conservation activities. While the program encourages good stewardship year round, Stewardship Week is officially celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. NACD produces education materials for the Stewardship Program and makes them available to SWCD's.
Big Stone offers Soil Stewardship materials to several organizations in Big Stone County. Supplies are ordered and delivered by the District, free of charge, to those organizations that choose to participate.