The Noll Family (2024)
Mike and Diane Noll Honored for Wildlife Habitat Efforts
The Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Stearns County Pheasants Forever Chapter is pleased to recognize the Noll family as the 2024 Stearns County Wildlife Habitat Steward and recipient of the 2024 Polaris Habitat Stewardship award.
Each year, the Stearns County SWCD honors a landowner, business, or organization for outstanding accomplishments in implementing and managing wildlife habitat on their property. Establishing and managing wildlife habitat can improve soil and water benefits, recreation opportunities and aesthetics, along with many other environmental benefits.
The Noll family was selected as this year’s Wildlife Habitat Steward for their hard work and dedication to conservation and implementing conservation and wildlife habitat practices on their land.
The Noll family has dedicated most of their property (105 acres) to conservation through the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Demonstrating a commitment to pollinator health, they converted 7.75 acres into pollinator habitat in 2021 with an additional 2.15 acres in 2024. Additionally, the family has received approval to convert another 18.5 acres of land into native prairie in the fall of 2024.
Following is a list of water quality and wildlife habitat activities that have gone into this project:
57.7 Acre - Introduced Grasses and Legumes
13.3 Acres – Wetland Buffer
21.9 Acres – Native Grasses and Wildflowers
9.9 Acres – Pollinator Habitat
2.1 Acres – Wildlife Food Plots
The Nolls are also working with the MN DNR Forestry division to implement a thinning project on several acres of evergreen trees located in the northwest corner of their property. This aims to create optimal growing conditions for the remaining mature trees by reducing competition for resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients.
In addition to these proactive forest management practices, the Nolls have taken steps to support biodiversity by constructing brush piles from fallen trees and limbs. These brush piles provide essential shelter and habitat for a variety of small mammals, contributing to the overall ecological health of their property.
Over the years, the Noll family has been proactive in seeking guidance from the Stearns County SWCD office to enhance their land management practices. They have consistently welcomed technical assistance from the Stearns County SWCD, MN DNR, and other supporting local and state partners. The Noll family maintains a flexible approach to habitat management, prioritizing the health and vitality of the land.
The Nolls family are a habitat manager’s dream landowner. They are extremely open to trying new or unconventional management techniques, and they are constantly thinking about what is best for the habitat, habitat management, and conservation.
