What does it take to be a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor?
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are special purpose units of government that manage natural resource programs. Minnesota’s 88 SWCDs cover the entire state, their boundaries usually coincide with the county lines. Each SWCD is run by a board of five elected Supervisors. To be a Supervisor, you need:
Knowledge
- Supervisors must have- or be willing to learn- some basic knowledge to effectively carry out their responsibilities. They must understand:
- Some of the fundamentals about the environment and how it works;
- The relationship between land use decisions and the environment;
- The effect environment decisions have on other aspects of our lives; and
- Local concerns, attitudes and needs.
Concern
- Supervisors must be concerned about:
- Our environment and natural resources;
- Maintaining and improving water quality; and
- Protecting our soil.
Leadership
- Supervisors must be willing to take an active leadership role in the community. This can involve:
- Setting local conservation priorities
- Educating friends and neighbors about the environment;
- Working with other local government units, state and federal agencies, and other elected officials;
- Setting a positive example;
- Take unpopular stands;
- Balancing economic needs with environmental concerns, and
- Sacrificing short-term gains for long-term benefits
Supervisors
- Barb James (320-732-2644)—Area I–Staples, Fawn Lake, Germania, Villard, Moran, Turtle Creek
- Wayne Wendel (320-815-1040)—Area II–Bartlett, Bertha, Burleene, Stowe Prairie, Wykeham, Eagle Valley
- Dale Katterhagen (320-761-6418)—Area III–Ward, Iona, Little Elk, Long Prairie, Hartford
- Leland Buchholz (320-815-0125)—Area IV–Bruce, Birchdale, Grey Eagle, Round Prairie, Burnhamville
- Thomas Williamson (320-808-9506)—Area V –Leslie, Gordon, Kandota, Reynolds, Little Sauk, West Union
