Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are political subdivisions of the State established under Minnesota Statute 103C. Each SWCD is governed by a board of elected supervisors. SWCDs fill the crucial niche of providing land and water conservation services to owners of private lands. Managing private lands in a way that promotes a sound economy and sustains and enhances natural resources is key to Minnesota's environmental health. Private landowners trust SWCDs to provide needed technology, funding and educational services because they are established in each community, governed by local leaders and focused on conservation of local soil and water resources.
SWCDs work to reduce the non-point source of pollution to make Minnesota's lakes and rivers fishable and swimmable. Non-point source (NPS) pollution is a term for polluted runoff. Water washing over the land, whether from rain, car washing, or the watering of crops or lawns, picks up an array of contaminants. Theses contaminants can include oil and sand from roadways, agricultural chemicals from farmland, and nutrients and toxic materials from urban and suburban areas. This runoff finds its way into our waterways, either directly or through storm drain collection systems. The term non-point is used to distinguish this type of diffuse pollution from point source pollution, which comes from specific and identifiable sources. Point source pollution can come from sewage treatment plans and industrial facilities, as well as other specific locations.
Landowners across Minnesota count on SWCD technical assistance with conservation practices that protect the quality of Minnesota's greatest treasure - our natural resources.
Contact Nicollet SWCD
Listed as:
Conservation Districts
Contact Nicollet SWCD
Kevin Ostermann
District Manager
501 7th Street
PO Box 457
Nicollet, MN 56074
Phone: (507) 931-2550 Ext. 3
Fax: 507-931-3792
Service Area
Services provided in:
- Nicollet County, Minnesota