Mille Lacs Soil and Water Conservation District

Mille Lacs Soil and Water Conservation District The Mille Lacs Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)

The Mille Lacs SWCD was established in 1953 and is governed by five locally elected supervisors who hold monthly public meetings and provide ongoing supervision of district staff. The District employs two regular full time staff in addition to temporary and seasonal staff hired to implement specific grant funded projects. The SWCD provides education, technical and financial assistance to county re

sidents, local government units, and watershed organizations as well as other agencies and organizations. We also provide assistance to individuals and organizations with natural resource management plans, implementation of the Wetland Conservation Act, natural resource education, and implementation of effective natural resource practices. Our programs are funded through a variety of sources including county allocation, grants, contracts with local government units and watershed organizations, state and federal cost share, and a small amount from private industry.

🌱 Order Your Trees Today! 🌱Looking to boost your landscape and support local wildlife? Now’s the perfect time to plant!O...
04/10/2026

🌱 Order Your Trees Today! 🌱

Looking to boost your landscape and support local wildlife? Now’s the perfect time to plant!

Our annual tree sale is open, with a great selection of trees and shrubs ready to thrive in your yard, farm, or lakeshore.

🐦 Shrubs are especially awesome for wildlife — they provide food, shelter, and nesting habitat for birds and pollinators. A small addition to your yard can make a big impact!

🌳 Whether you're planting for conservation, privacy, or beauty, we've got options for you.

👉 Browse and order here:
https://www.millelacsswcd.org/tree-sale/

Don’t wait — stock is running low!

04/10/2026
💧 Free Nitrate Testing – Protect Your Drinking Water! 💧Join us at the Healthy Land, Healthy Lake Expo on May 2nd from 9 ...
04/07/2026

💧 Free Nitrate Testing – Protect Your Drinking Water! 💧

Join us at the Healthy Land, Healthy Lake Expo on May 2nd from 9 AM – 1 PM and take advantage of FREE nitrate testing for your well water!

Nitrate is one of the most common contaminants found in wells across Minnesota. It can come from everyday sources like fertilizers, animal waste, and even human sewage—making regular testing an important step in protecting your health.

If you rely on a private well, this is a great opportunity to get a quick check of your water quality. While this isn’t a certified lab test, it’s a fast, easy way to screen for nitrate and decide if further testing is needed.

The Mille Lacs SWCD is offering this service using equipment provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture—so bring a water sample and stop by!

04/07/2026

Learn from experts and connect with like minded lakeshore owners at the free Healthy Land, Healthy Lake Expo on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tulibee Tavern in downtown Wahkon. Get practical tips, share ideas, and take the next step toward a healthier lakeshore—mark your calendar and plan to attend.
Learn more at https://millelacswatershed.org

04/06/2026

Hear the Keep It Clean Campaign’s success stories and learn how you can help reduce lake trash all year ’round. KIC is one of 18+ exhibitors that will be at our FREE Healthy Land, Healthy Lake Expo at Tulibee Tavern in downtown Wahkon, Minn., on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by to learn, connect, and protect what you love about Mille Lacs.
Details: https://millelacswatershed.org
This project is funded in part by the Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation.

We hope to see you there!
04/01/2026

We hope to see you there!

Care about plants, animals, and the health of Mille Lacs Lake? Join us at our FREE Healthy Land, Healthy Lake Expo on Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tulibee Tavern in downtown Wahkon.
Explore 18+ exhibitors, inspiring speakers, a lead tackle exchange, AIS boat cleaning demo, the MNL plant truck and more!
Open to everyone. No registration needed—just stop by!
Details: https://millelacswatershed.org
This project is funded in part by the Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation.

🚨 UPDATE: Red Pine Sold Out! 🚨Thanks to everyone who’s already placed orders—we are officially out of Red Pine!There’s n...
03/30/2026

🚨 UPDATE: Red Pine Sold Out! 🚨
Thanks to everyone who’s already placed orders—we are officially out of Red Pine!

There’s now less than a month left to submit your tree order, so don’t wait too long. Inventory is limited and species will continue to sell out!

🌿 Tree Highlight: Red Osier Dogwood 🌿
Looking for a hardy, versatile shrub? Red osier dogwood is a fantastic choice for a variety of landscapes.

✔️ Thrives in wet soils—perfect for shoreline restoration and rain gardens
✔️ Fast-growing, reaching 2–10 feet tall
✔️ Produces berries in midsummer, attracting birds and wildlife
✔️ Adds beautiful seasonal color with its vibrant stems

Don’t miss your chance—order soon before more species are gone!

Remember to get your trees TODAY!
03/26/2026

Remember to get your trees TODAY!

We have more free well water tests available! This time we are providing test kits to folks who have wells in the northe...
03/25/2026

We have more free well water tests available! This time we are providing test kits to folks who have wells in the northern part of the county, including up near Mille Lacs Lake. These kits will test your well water for Bacteria, Nitrate, Arsenic, Lead and Manganese. Pick up a free test kit at the SWCD office in the lower level of the Mille Lacs Historic Courthouse. Follow the instructions and drop off your sample at WaterLabs Inc, in Elk River. Results are usually available in less than a week. These tests are made possible by a Groundwater Protection Grant from the MN Dept. of Health. Call Lynn at 320-983-2160 with questions.

If you didn't have the chance to attend our recent EAB Action webinar, you can watch on YouTube!
03/18/2026

If you didn't have the chance to attend our recent EAB Action webinar, you can watch on YouTube!

EAB Action WebinarFebruary 19th, 2026EAB is already affecting ash trees in the Rum River counties. But the sooner you begin planning for it in your woods, th...

03/13/2026

Minnesota hunters donated nearly 14,000 pounds of venison to food banks, food shelves, and feeding programs in 2025, exceeding 2024 donations by more than 50%.

The Hunter-Harvested Venison Donation Program, run by the MDA and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, provides an excellent source of protein to people in need and supports efforts to manage local deer populations.

🔗 https://www.mda.state.mn.us/mn-venison-donations-fight-hunger-climb-2025

Address

635 2nd Street SE
Milaca, MN
56353

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13209832160

Website

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The Mille Lacs SWCD was established in 1953 and is governed by five locally elected supervisors who hold monthly public meetings and provide ongoing supervision of district staff. The District employs five full time staff in addition to temporary and seasonal staff hired to implement specific grant funded projects. The SWCD provides education, technical and financial assistance to county residents, local government units, and watershed organizations as well as other agencies and organizations. We also provide assistance to individuals and organizations with natural resource management plans, implementation of the Wetland Conservation Act, natural resource education, and implementation of effective natural resource practices. Our programs are funded through a variety of sources including county allocation, grants, contracts with local government units and watershed organizations, state and federal cost share, and a small amount from private industry.