Conservation Education

This spring, more than 800 third-grade students throughout Rice County had the opportunity to learn about pollinators, native plants, and prairie habitat through the Rice Soil & Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) Pocket of Prairie Program. Now in its fourth year, the program continues to connect students with hands-on conservation education while encouraging families to create small pollinator-friendly spaces at home and at school.

Students from across southeastern Minnesota gathered this spring at the Byron Sportsmen & Conservation Club near Byron, Minnesota to compete in the annual Southeast Minnesota Envirothon.

The Rice Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) collaborated with several organizations to bring the joy of planting prairie to around 800 third-grade students across Rice County as part of its expanding Pocket of Prairie Program. Originally launched in 2023, the program is a hands-on conservation education effort designed to teach children the importance of native prairies and pollinators.