Sibley Soil and Water Conservation District

08/06/2026

Check out this event next week in Winthrop!

07/27/2026

See you this weekend!!

07/09/2026

We are here until 5 pm—Come get your water tested!

Arlington Event Center
204 Shamrock Dr, Arlington, MN

07/09/2026

07/08/2026

z.umn.edu/ExtEdNicollet-Sibley

07/06/2026

🐟🚫 Don't Let Your Pet Become an Aquatic Invader!

Did you know that releasing pet fish into lakes, rivers, ponds, or wetlands can harm Minnesota's waters?

Goldfish and other aquarium fish may seem harmless, but once released into the wild, they can survive, reproduce, and grow much larger than many people expect. Large populations can stir up sediment, reduce water quality, compete with native fish for food and habitat, and disrupt healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) threaten our lakes and rivers by impacting native plants and wildlife, recreation, and water quality. One simple way to help protect Minnesota's waters is never release aquarium fish, bait, or other pets into the wild.

If you can no longer care for a pet fish:
🐠 Return it to a pet store if possible.
🐠 Rehome it with another aquarium owner.
🐠 Contact a local aquarium club or animal organization for assistance.

Every action we take helps protect the waters we all enjoy.

🎥 Check out the video below to learn why releasing pet fish is a growing concern in Minnesota and how you can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Goldfish, often illegally introduced by well-meaning pet owners, ar...

06/25/2026

https://youtu.be/ujX6AxV_-Z8?si=EBqLpeGdWaO0lCM8

Help stop the spread of invasive species and use free, staffed deco...

06/22/2026

🍄 Soil Health Spotlight: Mycorrhizal Fungi – Nature's Underground Network

Beneath every healthy field, prairie, and forest lies a hidden world that plays a critical role in soil health and conservation: mycorrhizal fungi.

These beneficial fungi form partnerships with plant roots, creating vast underground networks that help plants access water and nutrients that would otherwise be out of reach. In exchange, plants provide the fungi with sugars produced through photosynthesis.

Think of mycorrhizal fungi as an extension of a plant's root system. Their microscopic threads spread throughout the soil, connecting plants to valuable resources and helping build healthier, more resilient ecosystems.

Why Are They Important for Soil Health?

✅ Improve nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus and micronutrients
✅ Increase water absorption and drought resilience
✅ Help build soil structure by binding soil particles into stable aggregates
✅ Reduce erosion by improving soil stability
✅ Support beneficial soil biology and biodiversity
✅ Improve long-term soil productivity and resilience

Conservation Connection

Many conservation practices help protect and strengthen mycorrhizal fungal networks, including:

🌱 No-Till and Strip-Till
🌾 Cover Crops
🌿 Diverse Crop Rotations
🌻 Native Prairie Plantings

Reducing soil disturbance allows these underground networks to remain intact and continue supporting healthy soils, cleaner water, and productive landscapes.

Healthy soil isn't just dirt—it's a living ecosystem. Protecting the organisms beneath our feet is an important step toward conserving our natural resources for future generations.