Bonanza Education Day
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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!
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Weed Management Workshop 2016
The Big Stone/Traverse Soil & Water Conservation Districts held an educational Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) workshop on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016, at the Community Center building in Graceville. Presenters discussed various ways to control noxious weeds and other woody vegetation in grassland and pasture ground areas. Other presentations included education on the 50' Buffer Law requirements, the MN Ag. Water Quality Certification Program, Cover Crops, rotational grazing and an update on the CWMA grant program and its future. The successful workshop included nearly 50 participants with a delicious catered lunch provided by Bobby Jo's Café.
The CWMA program is a competitive grant from the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) awarded to the Big Stone SWCD. This grant allows for the District to hire an intern, vehicle usage, fuel and chemical to assist local landowners with controlling noxious weeds on their property. The District has targeted three main weeds to control; Wild Parsnip, Queen Anne's Lace and Leafy Spurge. Keep an eye out for these weeds to appear, typically during the months of May, June & July. To learn more about the CWMA program and how our District can help, stop by or call the SWCD office located in Ortonville.
The CWMA program is a competitive grant from the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) awarded to the Big Stone SWCD. This grant allows for the District to hire an intern, vehicle usage, fuel and chemical to assist local landowners with controlling noxious weeds on their property. The District has targeted three main weeds to control; Wild Parsnip, Queen Anne's Lace and Leafy Spurge. Keep an eye out for these weeds to appear, typically during the months of May, June & July. To learn more about the CWMA program and how our District can help, stop by or call the SWCD office located in Ortonville.
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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 SWCDs.
Conservation Farmer
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Beautiful Farmstead
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