Enterprise Dispatch Blog

CARVER, McLEOD, MEEKER & WRIGHT CO, MN – The Crow River Organization of Water (CROW) is currently offering financial assistance to residents and landowners of the Buffalo Creek Watershed for the installation of variety practices aimed at improving water quality in Buffalo Creek. Funding is only available through this program for another 5 months.

BMPs are practices that help improve water quality and erosion control. Some BMPs a landowner could implement are: Replacement of open intakes with rock inlets, planting of rain gardens, construction of waterways, stream bank stabilizations and sediment control basins that help reduce erosion. In addition the CROW is offering one time incentive payments of $100/acre for new enrollment of filter strips and riparian buffers in the USDA’s CRP program.

The CROW is working together with local partners such as the Buffalo Creek Watershed District and local SWCD offices to offer these programs. The Buffalo Creek Implementation Project is sponsored by the Crow River Organization of Water (CROW) and funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency through the 319 grant & loan program. Contact Diane Sander from the CROW at 763-682-1933 Ext 112, or your local SWCD office for more information.

The CROW JPB was created in 1999 with a mission of improving water quality in the Crow River Basin through educational outreach and collaboration with partners and citizens. In keeping with this mission, the CROW is currently working on several educational projects throughout the watershed.

The “Youth Partnership Projects” is a new endeavor the CROW is working on creating opportunities for hands on education projects for 4H participants. Participating 4H groups may elect to conduct a one day environmental community service project such as participating in the CROW’s annual river clean up or conducting storm drain stenciling within their community.

On April 4, 2009 the CROW will participate in the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual Habitat Days celebration at the USFWS offices south of Litchfield. The event focuses on providing families with hands on activities that demonstrate the importance of habitat for local wildlife. As in past years, the USFWS is sponsoring a “build your own wood duck or bluebird box” workshop at the event. In addition, The Raptor Center will have birds of prey on display and discuss their role in the environment. This event runs from noon to 4 pm.

The CROW is also partnering with other local partners to sponsor the 4th Annual Earth Day celebration in Spicer, Minnesota. This free event will take place on April 18, 2009 and will include the traditional omelet buffet, presentation and informational booths regarding “greener” products and practices as well as many hand on activities for children. In addition, this year’s event will feature archaeology and history exhibits, water quality informational booths, Youth Energy Summit Award Ceremony and Keynote Speaker. The Earth Day celebration runs from 8 am to 1 pm (omelet breakfast served 8 am - 10 am) and is held at the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, located six miles west of Spicer, Minnesota.