National Organizations / Agencies

National Organizations / Agencies

An important role when it comes to improving water quality and engaging citizens is undertaken by organizations and agencies functioning on the national level.  Federal agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manage two large areas of land on the Minnesota River and also provide funds to private landowners to restore wildlife habitat.  Nonprofit organizations play an important role including Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited who work with citizens, government entities and wildlife groups to buy land for public use and improve water quality on shallow lakes.  Some organizations/agencies fulfill a regulatory and/or funding role.

American Rivers
As the leading conservation organization fighting for healthy rivers, the nonprofit American Rivers strives to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and the clean water that sustains people, wildlife and nature to help communities thrive.  American Rivers was founded in 1973 and today has more than 65,000 members and supporters with offices in Washington D.C. and across the country.  This organization concentrates on five key programs areas – Rivers and Global Warming, River Restoration, River Protection, Clean Water and Water Supply to protect the nation’s remaining natural heritage, undo the damage of the past and create a healthy future for the rivers and future generations.
Contact: 608-782-1537 (La Crosse, WI office) - http://www.amrivers.org/

Ducks Unlimited
As the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats, Ducks Unlimited (DU) works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever.  DU is guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency and has conserved more than 12 million acres since 1937 thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent.  Active in all 50 states, DU works in Minnesota as part of the Mississippi Flyway on providing important migration habitat for waterfowl through its Living Lakes Initiative.
Contact: 952-820-8174 (MN State Office) - http://www.ducks.org/

Land Stewardship Project
Founded in 1982, the Land Stewardship Project (LSP)fosters an ethic of stewardship for farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture and to develop sustainable communities.  This private, nonprofit organization works with farmers, rural and urban residents to Secure a healthy food supply; Preserve soil, water and wildlife; Support diversified, profitable family-sized farms; Organize communities for positive change; Hold corporations and government accountable; and Create a new sustainable vision for our food and agriculture system.  LSP concentrates their efforts on four areas: Community Based Food & Economic Development; Farm Beginnings; Policy & Organizing and Stewardship Science.
Contact: 612-722-6377 - http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/index.html

National Center for Earth-Surface Dynamics
Headquartered at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory on the University of Minnesota campus, the National Center for Earth-Surface Dynamics (NCED) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) and Science and Technology Center (STC).  NCED’s purpose is to predict the coupled dynamics and evolution of landscapes and their ecosystems, in order to transform management and restoration of the Earth-surface environment.  NCED is a partnership of research and educational institutions, government agencies, and industry that pursues its goal of predictive Earth-surface science by integrating physical, biological, and social sciences.
Contact: 612-624-4606 - http://nced.umn.edu/content/home

National Park Service
Under the direction of the U.S. Department of Interior, the National Park Service (NPS) works with tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens to help revitalize their communities, preserve local history, celebrate local heritage, and create close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.  The National Park Service takes care of nearly 400 national-recognized treasures involving natural, historical and cultural features.  Established in 1916, the mission of the NPS is to conserve the scenery and natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.
Contact: http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

National Wild Turkey Federation
A leader in upland wildlife conservation in North America, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.  The NWTF partners with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies to help restore wild turkey populations throughout North America.  Founded in 1973, the NWTF has spent more than $331 million to conserve nearly 16 million acres of habitat, which also benefit other upland wildlife species including quail, deer, grouse, pheasant, and songbirds.  Local chapters can be found in every state including ones in Benson, Blue Earth, Courtland, Granite Falls, Henderson, Green Isle, Jordan, Marshall, Morris, New Ulm, Ortonville, Redwood Falls, and St. Peter.
Contact: 763-227-6046 (Harris MN Office) - http://www.nwtf.org/

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
A federal agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems.  NRCS experts from many disciplines come together to help landowners conservation natural resources in efficient, smart and sustainable ways.  Based out of county offices, NRCS staff works closely with individual farmers and ranchers, landowners, local conservation districts, government agencies, Tribes, Earth Team volunteers and many other people and organizations to implement land stewardship programs.
Contact: 651-602-7900 (St. Paul Office) - http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

The Nature Conservancy
Protecting nature for people today and future generations is what The Nature Conservancy is all about.  The mission of this nonprofit organization is to preserve the plants and animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.  Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.  They have worked in all 50 states and more than 30 countries to protect more than 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers.
For more information: 612-331-0750 (MN Field Office – Minneapolis) - http://www.nature.org

Pheasants Forever
Operating under a grassroots structure, Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.  There are more than 600 Pheasant Forever chapters across the U.S. and Canada, and more than 100 Quail Forever members.  Pheasants Forever works on Wildlife Habitat Projects benefitting more than 5.3 million acres across the continent and helped purchase over 135,000 acres.  In addition, the organization works on Habitat conservation Advocacy and Habitat Conservation Education including the nationally-recognized Leopold Education Program.
Contact: 877-773-2070 - http://www.pheasantsforever.org

River Network
The mission of River Network is to empower and unite people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain the health of the country.  Founded in 1988, this nonprofit organization is leading a national watershed protection movement that involves nearly 5,000 state, regional and local grassroots organizations.  River Network envisions a future when every person knows their watershed and is an active caretaker of their local waterbody and is working to provide a clean and plentiful water supply for all people.  Some of the major programs sponsored by River Network are the National River Heroes, National River Rally, River Leaders and Watershed Support Network.
Contact: 507-241-3506 -  http://www.rivernetwork.org/

U.S. Corps of Engineers
Provide vital public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen our Nation’s security, energize the economy, and reduce risks from disasters is the mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).  The Corps’ St. Paul District is responsible for supporting inland navigation by operating 13 locks and dams and by maintaining the Nine-Foot Navigation Channel; helping local communities reduce damages caused by flooding; issuing permits for work in wetlands and navigable rivers; environmental restoration programs to improve fish and wildlife habitat; emergency response operations following natural disasters; and recreation activities at Corps facilities and reservoirs including campgrounds, day-use areas, boat ramps and swimming beaches.  Responsible for 41 field sites in five states, the St. Paul District office headquarters is located in downtown St. Paul.
For more information: 651-290-5200 - http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and the environment.  EPA’s purpose is to ensure that: All Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn, and work; National efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information; Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively among other goals.  To accomplish their mission, the EPA develops and enforces regulations; gives out grants; studies environmental issues; sponsors partnerships, teaches people about the environment and publishes information.
Contact: 312-353-2000 (Region 5 Office in Chicago) - http://www.epa.gov/

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This federal agency is a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for its scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service.  The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides a wide range of services involving conservation practices, education programs, recreational opportunities and much more.
Contact: 612-725-3609 (St. Paul Office) - http://www.fws.gov/

U.S. Geological Survey
As the Nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.  The diversity of its scientific expertise enables this federal agency to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners, and others.  The USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable information.
For more information:  763-783-3100 (Mounds View Office) -  http://www.usgs.gov/