Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District visits the Legislature
Among the many groups of local leaders meeting with the Minnesota Legislature over the past weeks was a team from Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District (Cook SWCD).
According to a press release from Cook SWCD, on March 18, staff from conservation districts across the state visited the Capitol. Cook SWCD met with legislators alongside staff from conservation districts in North and South St. Louis County, Lake County, and Koochiching County.
The visit comes as SWCDs across the state are asking the legislature to increase their funding. Currently the state provides $15 million annually to SWCDs, $12 million of which is considered SWCD Aid.
Cook SWCD District Manager Ilena Hansel told WTIP that the non-Aid funds are for specific programs. She said that the funding for Cook County comes from the Aid funds. SWCD Aid funds things like staffing costs and programs for the public. This year, leaders of SWCDs are hoping that the Aid funding they receive will be increased to $22 million.
Statewide the SWCD program consistently faces a budget shortfall. According to Cook SWCD, maintaining the current programs and meeting conservation goals will result in a statewide $48.8 million shortfall this year. Hansel told WTIP that as costs for projects have risen over time, the shortfall has kept apace of any increases in state funding. She added that in Cook County, 75% of the district’s budget comes from grants.
During their visit to St. Paul, Hansel said the district staffers take the opportunity to explain the value of SWCDs to legislators. She said, “We’re advocating for them to understand what our work is. We’re the boots on the ground.”
Hansel added that the arguments for increased funding are twofold, based on environmental and economic benefits to the district. “For ever every dollar we spend, it brings $1.80 back into the community, and that doesn’t even include conservation benefits,” she said.
The press release from Cook SWCD highlighted the work the organization has done over the past year, which they hope to continue with the funding increase.
The release read, “In 2025, the SWCD AID helped Cook SWCD staff to reach hundreds of landowners, youth and members of the public through outreach and education and technical assistance, complete projects to reduce over 22 tons of sediment entering surface waters annually, and assist with collecting data on surface waters.”
Kirsten Wisniewski March 22, 2026
