The Sherburne Co. Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been named the 2018 SWCD of the Year award winner by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD).

 

The award was announced during the 82nd MASWCD annual meeting held Dec. 9 – 11 at the Doubletree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South.

 

The SWCD of the Year award recognizes and inspires leadership within the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts to go above and beyond the base capacity.

 

“We are honored to be selected as the 2018 SWCD of the Year,” said Sherburne SWCD District Manager Francine Larson. “Our staff excels at what they do because they do what they love. We enjoy helping people make a positive impact on our environment. I am blessed to work with such a passionate group of people and to be led by such a strong Board of Supervisors.”

 

MASWCD listed numerous reasons why they chose Sherburne SWCD for the honor.

 

They were recognized for having a strong board, manager and technical staff, all of which are dedicated toward delivering a wide range of conservation services geared toward their diverse land and water resource base.

 

Their board members are effective communicators with their county board, as well as their peers in the region and across the state. Their manager is a graduate of the MASWCD Leadership Institute, and along with leading a strong staff of conservation professionals, serves as a mentor to an SWCD manager in a neighboring district.

 

The Sherburne SWCD’s technical staff has a depth of experience and expertise designed to meet the needs of and communicate effectively with area residents, whether it be on issues related to urban lands, shoreline, agricultural land or forests.

 

“Whether you are in the cities of St. Cloud or Elk River, live on the shores of Big Lake or farm on the Anoka Sand Plains, you are benefitting from the efforts of the 2018 SWCD of the Year, the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District,” said MASWCD Assistant Director Sheila Venney. “The efforts of their board and staff truly rise to the level of being exceptional, and MASWCD is proud to recognize them for all their hard work.”

 

Sherburne SWCD works with landowners and agencies across the county to help promote the smart, sustainable use of land and water resources. They are dedicated to educating the community and serving as a county-wide natural resource information and referral center.

 

Along with education, the department runs a number of programs and services, including the Citizen Pruner and Urban Forestry programs, water management and backyard conservation.

 

For more information on the Sherburne Co. SWCD visit sherburneswcd.org.