Congratulations is extended to Nathan Hylla, the Project Management Supervisor, for the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for successfully completing a one-year leadership development program sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. The program, titled ?ÄúThe MASWCD Leadership Institute?Äù brought together 20 participants from across the state to strengthen their leadership capacity for conservation work in Minnesota. The group was comprised of locally elected Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors, local SWCD staff, and staff from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. During six in-depth sessions, participants learned about and practiced leadership lessons, applying those skills to a statewide policy issue. Topics included building facilitative leadership skills, visioning and influencing policy change, framing issues, strengthening team leadership, decision-making, dealing with conflict, effective questioning skills, and working with stakeholders in public issues. This was the tenth group to complete the statewide leadership program which began in 1996. The content of the program is designed and delivered by staff of the University of Minnesota Extension. ?ÄúBy participating in activities like this, the Stearns County SWCD is taking steps to invest in employees as future leaders in conservation,?Äù said Dennis Fuchs, the Stearns County SWCD District Administrator. For further information about the program contact the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts at 651-690-9028 or visit the MASWCD website at www.maswcd.org.
The mission of the Stearns County SWCD is to: provide local leadership in the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources through programs and partnerships with individuals, businesses, organizations, and government.
Nathan Hylla, Project Management Supervisor for the Stearns County SWCD (right) explains how conservation delivery works using federal, state, and local funds to John Adamek, McLeod County SWCD Board Supervisor (left), and Kathleen Thies, Sibley County SWCD Board Supervisor (center). Submitted photo.