Prairie Country continues to assist the Chippewa River, Hawk Creek, Crow River, Lac qui Parle - Yellow Bank and Shakopee Creek Watershed Projects carry out their Implementation Projects.  These projects focus on implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in sub-watersheds that have been identified from diagnostic studies with high nutrient and/or sediment loadings.  These watershed projects have received nearly 10 million dollars, to date, in Clean Water Partnership, 319, EQIP and low interest loan funds to continue water monitoring efforts and implement BMPs.

Prairie Country continues to provide fundraising and technical assistance to three learning center projects: Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) (Kandiyohi County), City of Benson Outdoor Classroom (Swift County) and Pezuta Zizi Learning Center (Yellow Medicine County).  Prairie Country RC&D assisted the PWELC implement a Youth Energy Summit which brought together 11 teams of students in September to learn about issues and opportunities in renewable energy and energy efficiency.  The Benson Outdoor Classroom featured projects on wood duck and bluebird house construction and installation and interpretive signage this past year.

    Through a $6,300 Conservation Partners Grant obtained from DNR, Prairie Country implemented seven "Direct Seeding of Hardwoods" demonstration projects. Seeds planted included oak, walnut, hackberry, ash, and maple. Stand checks have revealed an average of 3,500 - 8,000 trees per acre at all but one site. Hardwood plantings have been completed at the following locations: Benson Outdoor Classroom (Swift County), two sites in Chippewa County, one site in Renville County, two sites in Meeker County, and a site at Sibley State Park. These projects are a cooperative effort of the landowners, local SWCDs, DNR-Forestry, NRCS, and Prairie Country.

    Prairie Country RC&D continues to assist rural fire departments with the planning and installation of dry hydrants.  Forty-two dry hydrants have been successfully installed and five more are planned for installation during 2008.  Funds for most of the projects were obtained through a statewide DNR Community Firewise Program Grant developed by Prairie Country.

    Prairie Country continues to assist the Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway Committee promote and develop the 250 mile trail.  The Trail Committee, with assistance from Prairie Country, partnered with the County Historical Societies to develop a grant proposal to the National Scenic Byways Grant Program requesting $87,000 to establish additional historical markers and signage and kiosks along the trail corridor.

        Prairie Country continues to monitor and evaluate two woody riparian buffer plantings established over the past seven years.  Both plantings contain a variety of trees, shrubs and grasses and one includes a "willow stick" streambank stabilization planting.  The plantings, which were installed to enhance water quality, control streambank erosion and provide wildlife habitat, are a cooperative effort between Prairie Country, local SWCDs and County Water Plans, DNR-Forestry, Pheasants Forever and NRCS.

    Prairie Country provided assistance to the handicapped access project at Stone Hill Park on Del Clark Lake (Yellow Medicine County). This project involved installing a handicapped accessible fishing pier, sidewalks, parking area, and other handicapped accessible related items on Del Clark Lake. Over $45,000 was raised through the NRCS Outreach grant program, Prairie Country RC&D mini grant program and the Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District.  Construction was completed in 2004.

    Prairie Country staff continues to assist the  Coteau des Prairies RC&D area located in southwest Minnesota. The Council is providing technical assistance and fiscal agent services for project implementation grants.

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        Prairie Country RC&D assisted the Big Bend Church and several local partners obtain additional local support and funding for the large streambank stabilization project located on the Chippewa River in northern Chippewa County.  The severe streambank erosion threatened the Church cemetery and up to 740 gravesites.  The project cost was $562,878 with the Army Corps of Engineers covering 65% and the MN DNR 17-1/2% of the costs.  The remaining 17-l/2% was covered locally.  Construction on the project was completed in November, 2006. 

        Prairie Country also assisted with fund seeking and grantwriting efforts for the Lac qui Parle River Streambank Stabilization Project.  Over $125,000 was raised to address the streambank erosion problem.  Construction will take place in the fall of 2007.   

Red Cedar Inventory/Market Feasibility

         Prairie Country completed an inventory of the red cedar resource in the area.  Inventory results have been compiled and show that adequate stands of cedar exist to pursue market development, which Prairie Country will start to seek out.    

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For more information on these projects, activities, or the RC&D Program, please contact: