Minnesota Inter-Tribal Conservation Workshop   

Close to 60 NRCS employees and Mille Lacs Band tribal members recently attended a first-of-its-kind, Minnesota Inter-Tribal Conservation Workshop — A Consultation with NRCS, organized by NRCS district conservationist Shannon Bengtson, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations Kevin Daw, and tribal liaison David Wise.

Participants learned about the NRCS Conservation Security Program, Plant Materials Program, Rain Gardens, Technical Service Providers, and witnessed the signing of a Cultural Resources Tribal Protocol that outlines the process by which the NRCS will consult with the Band when the agency plans to install practices affecting cultural resources within Mille Lacs Band reservation boundaries. The agreement also recognizes the sovereignty of the Mille Lacs Band and defines the government to government relationship between NRCS and the Band.

“NRCS is here to reach out to the tribes in Minnesota and is open to receiving feedback as to how we are doing. Government to government relations is important,” said State Conservationist William Hunt.

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Commissioner of Natural Resources Curt Kalk welcomed the participants to the session by noting, “This government to government session sets the stage for future dialogue between NRCS and tribes.”
Your contact is Shannon Bengtson, NRCS district conservationist, at 320-983-2154.