Conservationists

2011 LOCAL CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR

Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District (CLLID)

The Chisago SWCD selected the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District as the 2011 Chisago County Outstanding Conservationist. In recent years the Lake Improvement District board has taken an active role in the protection and restoration of the surface water resources of the Chisago Lakes watershed. In 2010 the Lake Improvement District partnered with the SWCD to complete stormwater retrofit assessments for the communities of Lindstrom, Center City, and Chisago City. The assessments have identification hundreds of urban stormwater retrofit opportunities to capture, treat, and allow for infiltration of the stormwater runoff that is most contributing to the degradation of the high priority water bodies in and around the area. In 2011, numerous BMPs identified in the assessment were installed throughout the watershed; projects included: curb cut rain gardens, iron/sand filters, narrowing of a residential street, and gully stabilization projects.

The Chisago LID also partnered with the Chisago SWCD to start the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project for the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. Thank you to the Chisago Lakes LID for your outstanding contribution to water quality improvement!

Past Winners:

2010 - Ron & Jan Harnack (State Finalist) The Chisago SWCD is proud to announce their selection for the Outstanding Conservationist Award for 2010: Ron and Jan Harnack of Amador Township. The Harnack’s have called Chisago County home for the past 20+ years and during this time they have been outstanding stewards of the land. Since purchasing their 160 acre farm in the late 1980’s they have implemented numerous conservation practices to improve the water quality and local wildlife habitat on their property. Practices include: a farmstead shelterbelt, block tree plantings, native grass plantings, wetland restoration, numerous forestry management practices, and managing the only terraced farm in Chisago County.

2009 - Jon and Nu Gamble The Chisago SWCD would like to recognize Jon and Nu Gamble, of Taylors Falls, as the 2009 Chisago County Outstanding Conservationist. They own and operate a small family campground (Camp Waub-O-Jeeg) along the St. Croix River. The Gamble’s have owned the campground since 2001. They have conservation in mind when they are maintaining their property and campground. They have an active forest stewardship plan that includes planting many trees and controlling invasive species and diseases. In 2008, the Gamble’s fixed a very large actively eroding gully by installing a very large water and sediment control basin. The Gamble’s are good stewards of the land and the Chisago SWCD enjoys working with them towards their goals of natural resource conservation.

2008 - Eugene & Brenda DePalma (State Finalist) The Chisago SWCD Board of Supervisors nominated the DePalma’s to show our appreciation for their years of good land stewards in Chisago County. Since purchasing the farm in 1972 Eugene and his family have made conservation an important part of their farm – from planting 1000’s of trees and shrubs, to restoring and protecting drained wetlands, planting food plots for the wildlife and selecting a renter to plant crops that will minimize erosion on their cropland.

2007-David & Carole Cartwright (State Finalist) The Cartwright’s have turned their property into a tree farm by planting over 20,000 tree seedlings within the past four years, and plan to continue to expand and manage the property for years to come. They have shown a great willingness to work hard and learn from everyone, and anyone to improve their tree farm. Carole said they are working toward a goal of which they will never see the final product, they are planting high quality hardwoods for their grandchildren to enjoy in the future.

2006-The Dan & Kathy Carlson & Family (State Finalist) The Carlson’s have been good stewards of their land for many years. In the recent past they have made significant changes on their land to help benefit the environment, they are willing to try new things that may change or help their farm. They have changed to no-till planting on the whole farm. The integrated pest management plan and nutrient management plans that have been created, were created by a crop consultant that has special interest in the land, therefore it is reviewed often and is a priority for Kevin. They continue to manage their woodlands each year. The Carlson’s take care of their land while still using the land for agricultural practices.

2005-Ron & Sue Johnson (State Winner) The Johnson's have shown a strong commitment to preserving their family farm while coexisting in a rapidly developing county. They are always eager to work with and show others the success of a small family owned and operated farm within Chisago County. this commitment has been evident through the countless number of projects that they have completed through the SWCD/NRCS office and the strong leadership they have shown in the community through involvement with a variety of local, state and international organizations.

2004-Dale Bergfalk For the past 30 years Dale has been an active member in the soil and water conservation movement within Chisago County. from his 12+ years as a District Supervisor, to his countless number of conservation practices on his farm, he has always been in the forefront of Soil and Water Conservation in Chisago County. We thank Dale for his efforts and hope many more landowners will learn from his examples.

2003-F. Willard & Jeanette Carlson (State Finalist) As Chisago County has changed from an agriculture based community to a rapidly developing County, most landowners have sold their property to be developed into five acre parcels with little or no open space. The Carlson's looked at their property and did not want the standard five acre lot development and instead went with a planned unit development approach. this enabled them to develop their property into small acreage lots and leave large portions of the sensitive areas (i.e. wetland, rivers, woods) into preserved open space. the Chisago SWCD feels the Carlson's are worthy of this award because of their continued commitment to be good stewards of the land, both as active farmers and now as developers.

2002-John Jr. & Jewel Peterson

2001-Clark & Marguerite Malcomson

2000-Keith Johnson

1998-Carl Heinrich - Rush Lake Improvement Association

1997-George Hendren

1993-Gunner Erickson

1989-Dan & Lynn Schultz

1986-Bud Hopkins & Gene Frederickson (Fredkins Farms)

1984-Charles & Jay Flodquist

Chisago SWCD, 38814 Third Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056

651/674-2333 Fax 651/674-8828

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