Cass County Soil Conservation District

We will open up our online tree store in the middle of November. We will also take emailed and phone orders at that time as well.

North Dakota Forest Service
For immediate release

DAN IWEN RECEIVES 2024 TREES AWARD

Dan Iwen of Fargo was awarded the 2024 "Conservation Achievement" Trees Award at the Trees Bowl and Awards Ceremony held in Fargo on September 97 2024. Nominations were received from across the state and the award winners were recognized by the North Dakota Forest Service and North Dakota State University.
Dan began working for Cass County Soil Conservation District in 2005. He has been a loyal seasonal employee that the District has been able to depend upon, year after year. In just under 20 seasons, Dan has helped plant over 700,000 trees in Cass County. That is a significant contribution, shaping the landscape to provide essential wildlife and pollinator habitat, wind protection, and maintaining soil quality in across the Red River Valley.
During the awards ceremony, NDSU President David Cook and State Forester Tom Claeys presented each winner with a special Trees Awards plaque. The award winners were also recognized on the field during the NDSU half-time activities at the winning Trees Bowl football game in the Fargodome.
The 2024 award winners include:

COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR – Fargo

CONSERVATION ACHIEVEMENT – Dan Iwen, Fargo

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE – Betty Brown, Crosby

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR – Hank LaBore, Bismarck

EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT – James River Soil Conservation District

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Garrison Fire Department

FOREST STEWARDSHIP LANDOWNERS – Chris and Malinda Nelson, Milton

MEDIA OUTREACH – Wendy Reuer, The Inforum

NATURAL RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL – Susan Muske, Lamoure

2024 SMOKEY BEAR POSTER CONTEST WINNER – Porter Naas, Bismarck

TREE CELEBRATION – Minot

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION – Souris River Basin Longbeards Chapter, National Wild Turkey Federation

YOUTH TREE PLANTERS – Hettinger

DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP – Amy Anton, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services

A day of education. Grand Forks Eco Ed and Riverkeepers Water Festival

We are very proud of Dan Iwen!

Autumn Newsletter

Thriving single row field windbreak

It's always satisfying to watch a CWPI planting reach the 5 year threshold. This planting had some issues early in its life but the owners worked hard to replant. After 5 years the survival is well over 90%!

A wonderful night at Crooked Lane Farm with Richland County SCD and the Buzz and Wine event.

It's always nice to get photos from the proud owners of urban Pocket Prairies!

Director Jeffrey Miller presented on Small Pollinator Habitats at the annual Hummingbird Hurrah in Henderson, Minnesota

Pocket Prairie at Fargo VTC is buzzing with bees!

Pocket Prairies at Bonanzaville are looking great!

Busy counting trees for Cass Windbreak Planting Initiative (CWPI) plantings. These plantings, done for wildlife habitat, riparian areas and field windbreaks, receive 75% cost-share and need to maintain 70% survival for each row planted.

Water sampling on the Maple River, both with a Van Dorn and by grab sampling.

Swamp milkw**d are butterfly magnets!

New tree rows are looking good!

A fun event with Richland Soil and Water Conservation District!

Beautiful morning to lay w**d barrier fabric

We have found a drone is a wonderful way to evaluate shelterbelt and tree health from above.

A wonderful event!

United Prairie Foundation Restoring prairie habitats that wildlife need for survival.

Seeding prairie grass and forbs at Urban Plains

Summer Newsletter

Second tree sale! Friday, June 7th at the Red River Fairgrounds in West Fargo 830 to 530 pm. Come get some trees!

CCSCD Board Member Jan Russell with a wonderful story in the latest issue of the Cass County Reporter

We are looking for an appointed Board Member to serve on the SCD Board. If you are interested in being more involved in the important work of conservation in Cass County, please reach out to learn more!