By TJ Boettcher Former Pheasants Forever  Field Biologist Many landowners are familiar with the scourge that is buckthorn. Once open forests have turned into nearly impenetrable green walls that line the hillsides from top to bottom. For those that aren’t familiar with it or are unsure of what it looks like, now is the perfect time of year to see the full extent of … [Read more...]

By Jean Meiners Technician, Root River SWCD Public waters are all water basins and watercourses that meet the criteria set forth in Minnesota Statute, Section 103G.005, subd. 15, and include lakes, wetlands and watercourses of certain sizes and characteristics. A 2024 statute revision clarified that public waters are not determined by their inclusion in or exclusion from … [Read more...]

By Christina Papenfuss Soil Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Pasturing livestock can be profitable. The costs of feed and fertilizer have gone up, leaving little money left over. The highest cost in most, if not all, livestock production systems is feed. Many producers use grazing to reduce costs for their operations. Properly managed … [Read more...]

By Zachary Glaunert Farm Bill Biologist, Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever For centuries prescribed fire has been an effective means of sustaining healthy grassland and woodland ecosystems. This method of management was highly utilized by Indigenous peoples throughout North America for generations. It was adopted also by early European settlers to manage both … [Read more...]