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  St. Croix County Land & Water Conservation Newsletter | August 2025

Gully Stabilization

Gully Stabilized to Protect Parker Creek

A severe gully on Jon Filarksy’s property was contributing significant sediment each year to Parker Creek in the Town of Kinnikinnic.  The gully formed after the huge 2020 spring rains and it continued to grow every year.  St. Croix County’s Land and Water Conservation completed a technical design and secured cost-share funding from DATCP to stabilize the ravine and greatly reduce sediment loss.  Jon is to be commended for his substantial investment which saves several hundred tons of sediment from washing downstream annually.

More information
Before and After photo of gully restoration
Cover Crop Photo

Adopting Cover Crops

Cost Share Programs Have Helped Producer Adoption

Crops are starting to come off local farm fields and a growing number of producers are planting cover crops in the fall to protect the soil from erosion, take up residual nutrients in the soil, and improve soil health.  Winter rye is commonly planted which greens up late in the fall and again in the spring.  

Cost share programs at the federal, state, and county level have helped producer adoption as well as the increasing levels of research and outreach to promote the benefits.  There is a cost for planting and terminating the cover crop and some on-farm testing is generally required to determine how best to fit cover crops into each situation.

When you see a lush green field of small grain this fall or next spring – chances are it is a cover crop the producer planted to protect water quality and improve their soil.

More information

Nitrate Update

Nitrate Screening Clinics Data

St. Croix County has completed four of the five planned summer nitrate screening clinics, testing 289 water samples so far. The average nitrate level of untreated samples was 8.0 mg/L, and 27% of samples were screened as exceeding the federal health standard of 10 mg/L for nitrate. These results are higher than the historic county average, highlighting the importance of regular well water testing, especially for households relying on private wells.

If you haven’t tested your nitrates yet, join us at the final clinic of the season: 

Thursday, September 11th, 2025 | 1:00–5:00 PM 
St. Croix County Services Center – 1752 Dorset Lane, New Richmond

The clinics are coordinated by St Croix County Land and Water Conservation and Public Health. For tips on collecting a sample visit our Collecting a Water Sample webpage.
2025 Nitrate Results Graph
Photo of rescue turtle

Exotic Pet Surrender Event

Sixteen Animals Given a Safe Path to New Homes

On April 26th, the St. Croix County Land and Water Conservation Department, in partnership with J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, held an Exotic Pet Surrender Event in Baldwin. The event was a success, giving 16 animals, including fish, birds, snakes, lizards, and turtles, a safe path to new homes.

The event provided a judgment-free option for pet owners to surrender exotic pets that they could no longer care for. Surrender opportunities like this ensure that these animals find a safe start to a new life instead of possibly being released into the wild. If exotic pets are released into natural habitats, they can become invasive and disruptive to native ecosystems.

Residents who missed this opportunity can find upcoming events to surrender exotic pets safely and responsibly at J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue’s website: Events | J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue

The Power of Field Buffer Strips

Safeguarding Our Lakes, Streams, and Rivers

Establishing field buffer strips can help farmers reduce sediment runoff while improving land productivity and protecting water quality.  St. Croix County Land and Water Conservation staff partnered with local producers and other agency staff to produce a video to highlight the effectiveness of buffer strips.  It features real-world data, expert insights, and firsthand farmer testimonials. See how these simple, sustainable solutions prevent soil erosion and keep nutrients on the field—ultimately safeguarding our lakes, streams, and the St. Croix River for future generations.
Link to Prairie Strips Video

Stay Connected

Stay connected with the St. Croix County Land & Water Conservation Division for news, updates, and resources. Visit our website, follow us on social media, or reach out with any questions. If you know someone who would find this information helpful, please feel free to share it with them—together, we can make a positive impact on our community and environment!

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