NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

There are several natural resource conservation programs that assist landowners with implementing conservation practices on their property. There are programs that provide technical assistance and/or cost sharing financial assistance, as well as educational opportunities. These programs are sponsored by local, state, and federal governmental agencies as well as private organizations, companies and non-profit organizations. Almost all of the resource people listed in this directory will be able to direct you find a conservation program right for you.

There are several different types of natural resource conservation programs. Among those are cost share programs, grants, special tax incentive programs, land donation programs, and land retirement programs. Because conservation programs and financial incentives are constantly changing, we recommend that you consult your natural resource manager, your SWCD and NRCS offices, your Forest Stewardship Forester, and other natural resource professionals for current information on new opportunities or changes to existing programs.

For specific information about programs and resources, call the Minnesota DNR Information Line to request the Financial Asssistance Directory at 888-646-6367, or in the Twin Cities Metro Area at 651-296-6157. The Financial Asssistance Directory may also be found on the web.

The University of Minnesota Extension Service is currently updating a guide to specific natural resource conservation programs. This guide should be finished by summer of 1999. Ask for Minnesota Extension Service Publication FO-5946-S at your local extension office or call the State office at 612-624-7222.

We have located and written descriptions of approximately 100 agro- forestry demonstration sites across Minnesota. This list is by no means comprehensive. It is, rather, a sampling of what agroforestry practices exist in Minnesota. Several of the sites that fit equally well under two or more different categories are double listed. The summaries include the goals, descriptions, and results of the plantings as well as at least one contact person per site. The contact person is sometimes the landowner and/or sometimes a natural resource professional who has been instrumental in the plant-ing. These people can provide information about the site, methods used, and general information specific to that site.

Why are many of these plantings so young?

Most of the demonstration sites we have included in the guide were planted fairly recently. This is because the original people involved with the design and implementation of many of the older and more established agroforestry plantings were no longer associated with the sites. While we focus mainly on young plantings where we have knowledgeable contact people, there are many examples of well established agroforestry sites throughout Minnesota.

How do I find the site if I want to visit it?

This guide is designed so that the user must call the contact person to find out the exact locations of the demonstration sites. This will ensure that the plant-ing is still there when you get there, that you get up-to-date and accurate directions, and that the landowner will be aware of who is coming to their land. Please respect the privacy and property of these people as they have been most generous to share their time, information and planting sites with us.

How to Use This Section

This section is designed to help you find the demonstration sites near you. Each demonstration site section begins with a map showing the locations of demonstration sites of that particular practice. Included with each demonstration site write-up is a miniature Minnesota map showing its general location.

Contents

Next Section: Windbreaks

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

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