News

Article by Kirsten Zoellner – Fillmore County Journal

Fillmore County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a long-standing organization striving to promote natural resource stewardship through educational, technical and financial assistance. Led by staff and a board focusing on various aspects of conservation and stewardship, it offers programs and services in soil health, water management, grazing and nutrient management, windbreaks and buffers, well testing and sealing, tree sales, rain barrels, and more. Last month, the district welcomed administrator Riley Buley. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role and is eager to be a part of the work.

Growing up in Mankato, Buley enjoyed the outdoors, particularly fishing area lakes with his father. His interest in Minnesota’s water put him on his future path early. A high school science fair project on damaging algal blooms plaguing an area lake led to a nomination for the 2011 International Science and Engineering Fair. “From there, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in water resources,” he says.

Earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in aquatic biology from University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, he participated in research in the Driftless Region and the Upper Mississippi River Basin. His academic pursuits didn’t end there. Buley earned his doctoral degree in fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic sciences at Auburn University.

Returning to the midwest, he worked with tribal governments in Iowa and Wisconsin, managing watershed projects, completing wetland and waterway permitting, and grant and staff management in natural resources. “Many of these projects included assisting landowners in completing aspects permitting and implementing conservation best management practices,” he notes. He also spent four years with the U.S. Geological Survey in La Crosse, Wis., focused on water and aquatic research.

“My wife and I really enjoy the Driftless region and we wanted to put down roots in the area. I saw the posting for the district administrator position with the SWCD and felt that there couldn’t be a better position to apply for. I feel really grateful to be able to work in a field I am passionate about in an area I really enjoy,” he enthuses. “In conservation programs such as the SWCDs, you get to take a hands-on approach on fixing conservation issues such as water quality and soil loss, and I enjoy it.”

Buley acknowledges the transition has been a learning process, but he is eager to take it on. “Being new to the position, I am learning the needs of our area residents and what conservation practices the SWCD can utilize to best help serve them,” he says. “Natural resource management is not a one-size-fits-all approach and I am learning as quickly as possible what methods we can use to best serve the public.”

Stepping up to keep projects moving forward, existing SWCD staff have proven a great boon to the transition and Buley’s got nothing but praise for them and their work.

“The district is truly involved in many projects ranging from soil health and manure management to watershed planning that spans the entirety of the Root River. They are happy to contribute to a range of projects, which is great to see. I am looking forward to seeing how we can continue to provide excellent service to area residents,” he adds. “One thing I have noticed is that my staff and board members are great at assisting individuals to find the conservation answers they are looking for. If our SWCD cannot help you, we will work with you to find someone who can.”

Buley’s also keen to both grow the district’s abilities. “It’s easy to see I am passionate about water resources and I look forward to playing a part in protecting the water resources of the region.” Trained as a researcher, Buley believes district conservation can expand research oriented-projects. “I am looking forward to promoting the projects we perform in this unique region to the rest of the state,” he adds.

“I really can’t highlight enough how excited I am to be back in the Driftless region. There is something about this area that you can feel when you are here,” says Buley. “I think this area is a great testament to how excellent conservation programs promote and preserve stunning natural resources. I am really looking forward to being a part of this work.

For more information about the SWCD and available programs, including the annual tree sale aimed at assisting landowners with trees for conservation purposes at an affordable rate, contact the office at (507) 765-3878 or visit www.fillmoreswcd.org.

With close to 200 orders received, over 13,000 trees were sold and picked up for planting, making the Fillmore SWCD tree program very successful once again this year.
Thank you to all those who purchased trees or other supplies.

If you are interested in receiving an order form for trees next year please give the office a call at (507) 765-3878 ext. 101 or email mindy.williamson@fillmoreswcd.org.

• Recycle
• Reduce water consumption – Turn faucet off, shorter showers
• Reduce electricity use – Unplug electronics, use cold setting on washer, turn off lights
• Plant a tree
• Skip lawn/garden fertilizer
• Plant native plants – This reduces chemical use
• Grow vegetables
• Compost – Reduces waste and improves soil health
• Use rechargeable batteries
• Maintain your vehicle to maximize efficency
• Go paperless
• Reuseable shopping bags
• Replace old light bulbs with LED bulbs

Rain Barrels
A rain barrel is a rainwater collection system that stores rooftop runoff to be used for watering lawns and gardens. When rainwater falls off your rooftop, it runs into gutters and downspouts and then either soaks into the soils of the surrounding landscape or flows into the street. The water that ends up in the street is called storm water. Excess storm water carries a wide variety of pollutants such as gasoline, motor oil, heavy metals, trash, and urban fertilizers and pesticides from lawns. Many homeowners have to drag a long garden hose, or carry multiple watering cans to their gardens. Have you ever considered collecting rain water from the garden shed that is next to the garden? In just a 1” rainfall, the water from a common garden shed (8’ x 10’) will fill a 55-gallon rain barrel. This water would be right next to the garden, and be incredibly convenient. The Fillmore SWCD sells Rain Barrel kits for $40.00. Contact Aaren Mathison at (507) 765-3878 ext. 109 if you’d like to purchase one or find out more about them.

Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain water from a roof, driveway or street and allows it to soak into the ground. Planted with grasses and flowering perennials, rain gardens can be a cost effective and beautiful way to reduce runoff from your property. Rain gardens can also help filter out pollutants in runoff and provide food and shelter for butterflies, song birds and other wildlife.

Lawns to Legumes – Bee The Change!!
Minnesota is home to more than 450 native bee species. Pollinators also include butterflies, moths, beetles and native flies. All play a key role in pollinating many food crops and native plants, but populations have significantly declined worldwide in recent years. Population decline can be attributed to habitat loss and lack of related nutrition for pollinators, as well as pesticide use and pathogens. Lawns to Legumes seeks to combat population decline by creating new pollinator habitat and habitat corridors that provide food sources and nesting space for pollinators. The program emphasizes protection of at-risk species, such as Minnesota’s state bee, the federally-endangered Rusty patched bumble bee.