Environmental Education
West Polk SWCD College Scholarship Opportunity!
The West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District is proud to be offering $1,000 college scholarships for a degree in
Agricultural Science or Natural Resource Science!
To be eligible, applicants must be a West Polk County resident, attending high schools within West Polk County and graduating in the spring of 2025.
Applications for the scholarships can be found below per QR Code or link to Google Forms.
Deadline to submit an application is August 25, 2025.
Agricultural Science or Natural Resource Science!
To be eligible, applicants must be a West Polk County resident, attending high schools within West Polk County and graduating in the spring of 2025.
Applications for the scholarships can be found below per QR Code or link to Google Forms.
Deadline to submit an application is August 25, 2025.
Agricultural Science Degree College Scholarship Application 2025
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Natural Resource Science Degree
College Scholarship Application 2025
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Congratulations Crookston High School Team for placing 3rd place at the Area 1 Envirothon held at Rydell Refuge, Erskine, MN April 30th, 2025!
These top 3 teams qualified for the state competition that will take place May 19th, 2025, at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN.
Crookston will have a team advance to State with a 3rd place finish scoring 98.5 points, Red Lake County Central (RLCC) placing 2nd with a score of 99.5 and Waubun placing 1st with a score of 106.5.
A sincere THANK YOU to all of the local sponsors. Your generous support makes it possible to continue this area and state outdoor environmental learning event for high school students in northwest Minnesota.
These top 3 teams qualified for the state competition that will take place May 19th, 2025, at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN.
Crookston will have a team advance to State with a 3rd place finish scoring 98.5 points, Red Lake County Central (RLCC) placing 2nd with a score of 99.5 and Waubun placing 1st with a score of 106.5.
A sincere THANK YOU to all of the local sponsors. Your generous support makes it possible to continue this area and state outdoor environmental learning event for high school students in northwest Minnesota.
Crookston High School Team advancing to the State Envirothon May 19th, 2025.
The Northwest Minnesota Water Festival
The Water Festival is a two day learning event for 4th graders in Northwestern Minnesota. This festival teaches students about our water resources. Students take part in interactive learning stations that are focused on water quality, ground water, flooding, aquatic invasive species and watershed. The annual event is held every September in Warren, MN and Fertile, MN. There are approximately 650-700 students.
A sincere thank you to all of those who make this a success!
Area Envirothon
The Envirothon is an outdoor learning event for high school students in grades 9-12 and is one of the state's largest environmental education competitions. This program is coordinated by the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).
West Polk SWCD is part of the Area 1 Envirothon which includes SWCD's of Polk, Red Lake, Norman and Mahnomen Counties, hosted at the Rydell Refuge, Erskine MN in the spring of each year. Each SWCD corresponds with their respective high school science teachers to confirm number of teams participating and provide the needed study guides in order to prepare for the competition.
These study guides are available and updated annually on the MN Association of Soil and Water Conservation District web site.
West Polk SWCD is part of the Area 1 Envirothon which includes SWCD's of Polk, Red Lake, Norman and Mahnomen Counties, hosted at the Rydell Refuge, Erskine MN in the spring of each year. Each SWCD corresponds with their respective high school science teachers to confirm number of teams participating and provide the needed study guides in order to prepare for the competition.
These study guides are available and updated annually on the MN Association of Soil and Water Conservation District web site.
Arbor Day
During the month of May, West Polk Soil & Water Conservation District offers Arbor Day presentations to help schools and communities celebrate Arbor Day.
Available are;
Available are;
- Small group activities
- Whole class presentations
NCPP and Outreach in a Pandemic Time: In early 2020, the National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) recommitted to another five-year period of accelerated work to reinvigorate conservation planning for clients across the country. This symposium, hosted by the National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA), addresses key items of interest to conservation planners throughout the partnership. Information will be shared on the new NCPP website and how it can be used for strengthening conservation planning. The symposium will also cover NCPP’s communications highlights, including the regular monthly newsletter, plans for future communications, and information on the expansion of the Hugh Hammond Bennett Awards. The symposium will also provide two examples of outreach at the local level during this pandemic using virtual techniques. Learn more about some excellent work in sharing conservation education with schools and how to address working with clients virtually.