Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day. Once again there will be a beach cleanup on the Grand Marais harbor. We are proud of our public spaces in Grand Marais and take great pride in keeping them clean! What better day to show our appreciation for our beach and harbor than Earth Day.
Every Earth Day, we at the Cook Soil and Water Conservation District reflect on the wonderful natural resources we get to enjoy in Cook County. Our District is grateful for the opportunity to work with members of the community to facilitate voluntary initiatives to conserve land, water, forests and wildlife in our area. We are one of 89 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) across the state – and nearly 3,000 across the nation – that provide a neighborly presence to help preserve and protect the natural resources we all love.
The Cook SWCD has been around for more than 48 years, and recent highlights of our work include river restoration projects utilizing natural channel design, shoreline restorations, tree plantings, water monitoring programs, and the local adoption of the Lake Superior North One Watershed, One Plan.
SWCDs are local units of government that carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. We provide voluntary, incentive-driven approaches to landowners for better soil and cleaner water in Minnesota. Private landowners – using financial and technical assistance from local SWCDs – are implementing a wide variety of conservation practices including preventing soil erosion, planting forests and buffers, and restoring wetlands.
Born in the wake of the Dust Bowl, SWCDs have been involved in delivering conservation across America for more than 70 years. Because Minnesota has a wide variety of landscapes and conservation needs, each district operates at the direction of locally elected board supervisors. This local perspective allows SWCDs to manage the resources and serve the needs of the citizens in their district.
Soil and Water Conservation District staff and supervisors build partnerships with public and private, local, state and federal entities in an effort to develop locally driven solutions to natural resource concerns. We work with landowners every step of the way from planning to implementation.
Our work results in cleaner water, healthier wildlife habitat, better soil, and a collaborative relationship with the community. What a great thing to celebrate this Earth Day!
To learn more about how your SWCD can help you, visit our website at www.cookswcd.org.
Earth Day
Every Earth Day, we at the Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District reflect on the wonderful natural resources we get to enjoy in Cook County. Our District is grateful for the opportunity to work with members of the community to facilitate voluntary initiatives to conserve land, water, forests and wildlife in our area. This year, we would like to kick off Earth Day celebrations by offering an opportunity for youth to reflect on how they can help and protect the Earth.
Materials were distributed to schools, student educators and daycare providers in Cook County. Decorate, color, and show the world what you love about the Earth!
Turn completed artwork in to the Soil & Water office at the Courthouse by April 20 or from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 at the Community Beach Clean-Up at Harbor Park on Saturday Artwork will be displayed in the courthouse foyer.
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