Sherburne Soil & Water Conservation District Nature Talks January 2015 Tree Sale 2015 Tree Sale Order Form Now Available New Supervisors Meeting Highlights Nitrate Clinic AIS In Winter Upcoming Events Small Farms Day March 7, 2015 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Sherburne History Center Becker, MN More info to come! For questions, please contact Tiffany Orders are being accepted now through April 24th. Call or mail/drop off The SWCD 2015 Tree Sale has begun! The tree program originated in order to provide landowners with an affordable and convenient way to purchase trees and shrubs for conservation practices, such as, windbreaks, shelterbelts, living snowfences, scenic buffers, wildlife habitat and more. The program is an important annual event. Individuals may place orders with the Soil & Water Conservation District starting January 1st. The trees come from the Badoura State Forest Nursery and private Nurseries. This year there are 23 species of trees and shrubs available for purchase, as well as two different packets with 5 species in each. Trees are sold in bundles of 25. Orders will be taken until April 24th, but popular species sell out fast so get your order in early to assure you get your desired species! Receive a 5% discount for turning in order forms before February 1st and a 10% discount on orders of a completed form at the office to place an order. Popular species sell out fast so get your order in early! 2015 Tree Order Form 1,000 trees or more! 2015 Tree Order Form For more information of the Tree Program please visit: http://www.sherburneswcd.org/Programs/TreePlantProgram. htm SWCD Welcomes Our Elected District Supervisors Shane Berg, Representing District 2 (Big Lake Twp and Orrock Twp) Berg joined the SWCD Board of Supervisors to help educate the community on the resources and services made available to them through the SWCD. He feels that soil and water programs are essential in protecting the natural resources that we depend on. Berg is a long standing supervisor on the Orrock Township Board. He owns a landscaping company and is a member of the Minnesota Landscaping and Nursery Association. His history and background also includes working with the land through farming and golf course management. Shane resides in Big Lake with his wife, their three daughters and dog. He enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, hiking, and snowmobiling. Berg is looking forward to serving as a Sherburne SWCD Supervisor, growing the district and improving our natural resources. Shane can be contacted at sberg@sherburneswcd.org Jason Selvog, Representing District 4 (Clear Lake Twp, Becker Twp, Palmer Twp, Santiago Twp) Selvog graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1995 with a degree in Natural Resources and began working in the natural resources field in 1996 when he was hired by the Benton SWCD as a Technician. His duties included everything from manure management to wetland restorations. Jason's main focus was promoting, planning and installation of the Federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). In 2012 he was hired as the District Technician for the Stearns County SWCD. His duties include; CRP, Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) program, Pollinator Habitat Programs and Wetland Restoration programs. He is a member of Pheasants Forever and has worked with a few local Chapters to help promote the Pheasants Forever mission. Jason lives near Santiago with his wife Kate, daughter Alexia (12 yrs), son Covy (3 yr) and two dogs, Zoe and Zeke. When not working he enjoys hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and admits to being an NFL addict and Fantasy Football junky! Selvog has enjoyed serving on the Sherburne County SWCD Board since 2010 and hopes to continue. "I feel I have the knowledge and ability to help improve Sherburne County's natural resources." Jason can be contacted at jselvog@sherburneswcd.org January Board Meeting Updates During the first meeting of the year Supervisors elected to rotate positions. Jason Selvog as Chair, Roger Nelson as Vice Chair, Shane Berg as Treasurer, Doug Hipsag as Secretary and Larry Goenner as Reporter. All meetings are open to the public unless otherwise posted. Regularly scheduled monthly meetings of the Board of Supervisors are typically held on the second Monday of the month beginning at 8:30 a.m. Should the meeting date fall on a Federal Holiday, the meeting will be held on the first Monday of the month. Changes to the meeting schedule and special meetings will be posted at the Elk River USDA Service Center and on the Sherburne SWCD website. Meetings are held at the Elk River USDA Service Center located at 14855 Highway 10, Elk River, MN 55330. Contact the District Manager to request placement on the agenda. (763) 241-1170 Ext. 131 2015 Meeting Schedule January 12 May 11 September 14 February 9 June 8 October 5 March 9 July 13 November 9 April 13 August 10 December 14 SWCD To Host Nitrate Clinic The SWCD will be hosting a Nitrate Clinic for local residents to test well water. What is Nitrate? Nitrate (NO3) is a naturally occurring chemical made of nitrogen and oxygen. It is tasteless, odorless, and colorless. Nitrate is found in air, soil, water, and plants. Much of the nitrate in our environment comes from decomposition of plants, animal wastes and human sewage. People also add nitrate to the environment in the form of fertilizers. Shallow wells, dug wells, and wells with damaged or leaking casings are the most vulnerable to nitrate contamination. Why Test For Nitrates? Nitrate in drinking water presents a serious problem for infants who are bottle fed, and for pregnant women. Too much nitrate in infants can reduce the amount of oxygen carried by blood. This is known as "Blue Baby Syndrome." Thursday March 19, 2015 Elk River City Hall 3-6 pm Samples analyzed while you wait! No pre-registration needed. Details and instructions coming soon! Help Reduce The Aquatic Invasive Species Threat This Winter You can help reduce the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species this winter! Invaders such as zebra mussels and spiny water fleas can be spread in the winter months (both of these have been confirmed in lakes and rivers surrounding Sherburne County!) Here is what you can do: • • • Before leaving the lake: drain all water from bait buckets ($100 civil penalty of misdemeanor). Do not release live bait into the water! Do not take live animals from infested waters, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Visit the MN DNR website to find out the details: www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasive/laws.html abumgarner@sherburneswcd.org | http://www.sherburneswcd.org Sherburne SWCD 14855 HWY 10 Elk River, MN 55330 If you would like more detailed information on any of the items listed above, please feel free to contact the office at (763) 241-1170 ext. 4. Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.