News

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.

Hi! I’m Margaret Windingstad, the current intern from the MN Conservation Corps at the Fillmore SWCD.

I’ll be here until August 12th dipping my toes into a ton of different projects to gain experience in multiple aspects of conservation and natural resource management. I’m particularly looking forward to gathering water quality data and learning how to manage said data.

I grew up on the East side of Saint Paul and now study geology and watershed sciences at Colorado State University. This is my first time in Preston so I’m excited to explore the area, especially nearby caves and springs. After I get my degree, I’m planning on moving back to Minnesota to work on geology-related natural hazard management.

In my free time I enjoy hiking, swimming, (anything that will get me outside), as well as reading and dancing.