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Who we are and what we do...
The Beltrami Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a locally organized, self-governing body chartered by the State of Minnesota. We are statutorily charged with the protection of Beltrami County's soil and water resources and have been active since 1950 when our initial certificate of organization was issued by the Secretary of State. We deliver a wide variety of programs and services in response to the agricultural, environmental, and recreational needs of private landowners.
Beltrami SWCD is accountable for all its activities, being independently audited with review by the State Auditor's Office. We receive very little direct state funding and generate the majority of our operating budget from special project grants, sale of trees, and contracts for services.
We are not a county, state, or federal agency although we work closely with partners at each of these levels. We are not part of the DNR. We are sanctioned by the State of Minnesota but do not receive our payroll from the state as do other state agencies. SWCD staff are not considered to be state employees. Because of our unique status, we are ideally positioned to foster cooperative collaborations between private land owners and governmental agencies from the local to the national level.
In 2010, a cooperative agreement was entered into between the SWCD and the Beltrami County Board. The agreement highlights a collaborative partnership to achieve efficiencies and improved delivery of environmental conservation programs.
As we look to the future, we see the continued need for environmental conservation. We will assist landowners with their concerns while protecting the natural resources of Beltrami County. Stop in to say hello and talk about your conservation needs!
PUT DOWN SOME ROOTS - 2012 Tree & Shrub Sale ORDER FORM
Board of Supervisors
We are governed by a Board of four publicly elected Superviors and one Supervisor appointed by the Red Lake Band. The Board meets monthly to provide policy governance. Board members are elected by nomination district on the general ballot. Terms are staggered to assure continuity. Individuals interested in being on the ballot must file with the Beltrami County Auditor. [See BWSR SCWD Operational Handbook section on Supervisor Elections and BWSR Supervisor's Handbook; see also Agency Data for Economic Interest Statements].
- Jay Frenzel, Vice Chairman 218-556-9794 (SWCD Area 1)
- Rob Knutson, Secretary, 218-444-8414 (SWCD Area 2)
- Ruth Trask, Treasurer 218-243-2749 (SWCD Area 3)
- Jay Backstrom, Chairman 218-444-8737 (SWCD Area 4)
- Shane Bowe, Legislative & Public Relations 218-444-0917 (Red Lake Band)
SWCD Staff
Day to day operations are conducted by a District Manager and staff.
- William Patnaude, District Manager
- Kathy Ruzicka, Office Specialist
Environmental Services Department Staff
- Mary Schoenfeld, Office Specialist
- Brent Rud, Environmental Resource Specailist
Joint Powers Board Conservation Engineering Staff
- Brad Kennedy, Conservation Engineer
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Staff
- Larry Voltz, District Conservationist, 218-751-1942, ext. 3
- Krystal Story, Soil Conservation Technician
Annual Plans
Annual Reports
Annual Budgets
Meeting Notices
- Regularly scheduled monthly Board Meetings are held at 9:00 am on the 3rd Thursday of each month in the County Administration Building. All Board Meetings are open to the public.
Meeting Minutes
2012 Tree Program
Low-cost trees and shrubs are available for purchase by landowners for use in conservation practices including habitat improvement, windbreaks, shelterbelts, erosion control, water quality protection and energy conservation projects. The SWCD sells conservation trees and shrubs to generate revenues for its operating expenses, which are funded by self-generated revenues from tree sales, fees for services and minimal support from public tax dollars. Spring 2011 tree sales broke the two million tree threshold for the SWCD. Twenty-one species of hardwoods and conifers, and sixteen species of shrubs are available.
This page highlights special current projects and activities funded for a limited time. For past projects, click the 'History' tab above. Look for additional links here as we continue to revamp our web content and structure.
Forests and Lands
- Minnesota Biomes Project (with ISD #31 at site adjacent to J.W. Smith Elementary)
- Original Tree Plan for Biomes Project Site
- Note: Minnesota Biomes Project links point to web-based Powerpoint presentations; depending on your computer's security settings, you may need to allow scripts temporarily to view. They are rather large files that may take a minute or so to load so please be patient! Thanks for your interest!
Waters: Lakes, Streams,Wetlands, Groundwater
- Clean Water Legacy Surface Waters Assessment Grant:: collecting baseline water quality data on 36 lakes
- Lakes Database Initiative: development of a comprehensive local lakes database drawn from multiple sources
- SSTS Enhancement Grant:: initiative to improve septic system program
Current & Past Newsletters (in Adobe pdf format)
2010 NRBG Reports
Interactive Map of Beltrami SWCD Service Area
In addition to the location of our office (indicated by red pin), this map shows locations of various projects and activities as well as links to other relevant materials. Use the hand icon that appears when you cursor is over the map to pan (push and pull the image). You can also toggle on satellite imagery. Click the "View Larger Map" link below the image to expand coverage; click map bubbles for an overview of additional content.
View Larger Map
Early History
The organization of the Beltrami County Soil Conservation District (changed to Soil and Water Conservation District in 1958) was motivated by conservation issues such as drainage, low soil fertility, water erosion, poor pastures, forest management, and wildlife and recreation needs. In March of 1950, a certificate of organization was issued by the State, the result of the efforts of county farmers, the Veteran's agricultural classes and instructors, businessmen, and the Agricultural Extension Service. Twenty-one townships in central north-east part of the county comprised the District in 1950, and the office with two part-time employees was located in Kelliher. The remaining southern townships were included in 1954 as was the Red Lake Indian Reservation in 1969. The townships north of Upper Red Lake were included in 1972 and the northwest twelve townships were included in 2010.
Past Projects
- Highway 197 Project
- Lake Bemidji Watershed Management Project
Website Content and Posting Policy
Information included in the Beltrami SWCD website is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. Beltrami SWCD is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If any errors are noted, please email Kathy. . Some of the information posted on the Beltrami SWCD website is required under Minnesota Laws 2007, Chapter 57 Section 5. Much of the site content is not officially required but is made available as a convenience.
The Beltrami SWCD website provides numerous external website links so that users can find reference material on related subjects; these links will automatically open a new browser window. In some combinations of platforms and browsers, links to external site appear as maroon text. Beltrami SWCD does not own nor control linked sites and therefore is not responsible for changes in content. Please email Kathy if you find any broken or questionable links. Beltrami SWCD does not officially endorse externally linked websites although we make a good faith effort to select sites with accurate and accessible content.
This web site is a public resource for general information. The Beltrami SWCD makes no warranty, representation or guarantee as to the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any of the information provided herein. The reader should not rely on data provided herein for any reason. The Beltrami SWCD explicitly disclaims any representations and warranties, including, without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The Beltrami SWCD shall assume no liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information provided regardless of how caused; or any decision made or action taken or not taken by reader in reliance upon any information or data furnished hereunder.
