Local SWCD officials meet with state legislators

Carlton Soil and Water Conservation District officials Barb Dahl, Laura Christensen and Brad Matlack attended a legislative briefing and meetings at the State Capitol March 5-6 in St. Paul.

They joined a group of 150 other officials from the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts who met in St. Paul to gather support for conservation districts’ programs and issues.

“It is important for us to visit with our elected officials in St. Paul,” said Chair Barb Dahl, of Cromwell. The 2019 Legislature is currently debating multiple issues of critical importance to the future of conservation districts in the state, noted Dahl.

“This year, included in the many issues legislators and the Governor are addressing is state funding for SWCDs as well as funding for the programs and projects they deliver,” she said. “We have to work hard to make sure the state’s commitment to sharing in the funding needs of SWCDs doesn’t fall by the way-side. Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts play an integral role in enhancing Minnesotan’s quality of life through conservation on private lands, which yields environmental, wildlife and aesthetic benefits to the public.”

During the visit to St. Paul, the group met with Representative Mike Sundin and Senator Jason Rarick.

SWCDs fill the crucial niche of providing land and water conservation services to owners of private lands. For more information on the Carlton Soil and Water Conservation District, please call 218-383-38191, or find Carlton SWCD on Facebook.