The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced Minnesota will receive $450,000 this year to address conservation needs in the Driftless Area through a special Conservation Initiative.
The focus will be to reduce soil erosion and improve fish and wildlife habitat on the working lands, woodlands, prairies, and cold water streams in the Driftless Area. The following Minnesota Counties have land in the eligible Driftless area: Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona County.
"The Driftless Area is such a unique landscape, having been by-passed by the glaciers of the last Ice Age," says Don Baloun, NRCS State Conservationist for Minnesota. "However, our steep topography leaves it especially vulnerable to soil erosion. This special initiative is a great opportunity to focus on erosion and habitat concerns this part of the state."
Special Driftless Area Conservation Initiative Funding Available
Farm and woodland owners in the Driftless Area may apply for financial assistance for conservation practices to address resource issues. Many conservation practices are available depending on the land use and resource concern. For example, on
On working farmlands: Prescribed Grazing, Grassed Waterway, Field Border
On forestland: Forest Stand Improvement, Forest Management Plan, Tree/Shrub Establishment
On Prairie/Savanna: Conservation Cover, Prescribed Burning, Brush Management
For Cold Water Streams: Streambank and Shoreline Protection, Stream Habitat Improvement and Management, Fence
Interested landowners are encouraged to contact the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center. Applications received by August 3 will be considered for this year's funds.
For more information, visit www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov or contact the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center serving your county.