Pope SWCD

Pope Soil & Water Conservation District (Pope SWCD) is a Minnesota conservation organization that has provided quality conservation resources since 1949. It works with landowners, residents, local partners, and communities to protect soil and water and support responsible stewardship across Pope County. Its programs cover agricultural and urban conservation, lakes and streams, groundwater management, and water research and monitoring. The organization also shares lake reports, conservation plans, data, and project information, including work at the Rosholt Research Farm and in the Bonanza Valley Ground Water Management Area.

Pope SWCD provides education and community engagement through activities such as Conservation Education Day, Envirothon, Waterfest, Stewardship Week, an annual poster contest, and photo contests. It also supports watershed planning and collaboration, and offers public information about protecting private wells. Its well-screening events provide testing for nitrates and chlorides, with discounted arsenic and manganese testing available at certain clinics, alongside guidance from water resource professionals.