Carlton SWCD names Corps ‘Conservation Partner of the Year’
Photo: Conservation Corps crew members installed livestock access control fence to protect Elim Creek in Carlton County.
This
fall, the Carlton Soil and Water Conservation
District named Conservation Corps their Conservation Partner of the Year.
Conservation Technician Kelly Smith nominated the Corps for its work over the
last five years, accomplishing on-the-ground conservation that would not have
been otherwise possible. Crews hired with Clean Water Fund and Minnesota Flood
Relief funds completed projects such as livestock exclusions to protect damaged
streambanks, riparian forest buffers to shade streams and improve trout
habitat, slope stabilization and reforestation of unused pastures. Kelly said
that Corps crews’ “skill level, attention to detail, conscientiousness and hard
work” made them an invaluable part of the district’s conservation efforts. He
also appreciates Corps Northeast District Manager Lisa Cassioppi and Assistant
Manager Shawn Conrad who “are always flexible, easy to work with and
professional.”