Stearns Conservation District reports $10.1 million in project funding, director announces May retirement

Dennis Fuchs, presenter for the Stearns Conservation District, told the Stearns County Board of Commissioners on March 11 that the district brought in $10,100,000 in state, federal and local funds in 2024 to support landowner projects across the county.

The annual report, delivered to the board during the county meeting, said the district does not have taxing authority and relies on baseline funding from the county to leverage outside grants. "We brought in $10,100,000 in state, federal, and local funds," Fuchs said, adding those funds went to landowners and were largely state and federal cost-share dollars.

The report summarized personnel and program highlights. Staff awards cited in the presentation included Mark LeFebvre receiving the Hugh Hammond Bennett Conservation Planner of the Year Award and Stephanie Hatzenbiller receiving the Deborah Swackhammer Award for Excellence in Water Resource Management. Fuchs noted the district completed 78 projects in 2024 across priority areas tied to the county’s comprehensive local water management plan and said staff increased slightly for inflation-driven salary and insurance changes.

Justine Meyer, identified in the presentation as chair of the Stearns Conservation District board, was introduced as a recent appointment to fill the term of retired board member Chuck Hopoff. Fuchs said the district will work this year on a new logo rollout, farmer-led conservation outreach and implementation of watershed plans; he also said the Mississippi River St. Cloud Watershed Collaborative plan has been approved and that the district could serve as fiscal agent if the collaborative confirms that arrangement.

Commissioners thanked the district staff for work on shoreline restorations, nutrient-management projects and private well nitrate testing. Multiple commissioners praised the district’s ability to leverage county funding to attract state and federal dollars and to complete large and small conservation projects. Fuchs closed by announcing his planned retirement in May and invited commissioners to a post-retirement gathering on May 29.

The presentation included photos of projects and noted partners such as the Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Pheasants Forever. Fuchs reiterated the district’s emphasis on focusing limited funds in priority watersheds where they believe they achieve the greatest benefit.

The board did not take formal action on the report; the presentation served as the district’s annual update to the county board.