East Metro Water

These are a few of my favorite things

By: angiehongmn March 11, 2026March 12, 2026

Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, landscaping, native plants, spring, treesLeave a Comment

If spring naturally has you dreaming of flowers and gardens, I’d like to encourage you to enhance your vision a bit this year to include native flowers, shrubs, and trees that can help to provide habitat for birds and wildlife and protect our water resources. March is the perfect time to begin planning, and there are numerous resources available to help you get started.

Heron, heron, heron, egret

By: angiehongmn March 6, 2026March 6, 2026

Uncategorized, Wildlifebirds, black crowned night heron, egret, featured, great blue heron, green heron, migration, Minnesota, Mississippi RiverLeave a Comment

Way down south along the Mississippi River, great blue herons are on the move. This week they crossed the border into Missouri. By the end of the month, we’ll welcome them back to Minnesota.

Slowing the nutrient highway

By: angiehongmn March 1, 2026

Keeping water cleanfeatured, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Mississippi River, nitrogen, phosphorus, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently released a report summarizing ten-years of progress toward reducing water pollution in the state’s rivers, lakes, and groundwater aquifers. The biggest news is that Minnesota is sending 32% less phosphorus and 6% less nitrogen down the Mississippi River, compared with in 2014. In addition, three-quarters of the lakes assessed by the MPCA statewide show declining phosphorus concentrations.

Live, love, laser loon

By: angiehongmn February 23, 2026

Uncategorized, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingbirding, birds, featured, lakes, lakeshore, lead-free, loons, Minnesota, nature, photography, shoreline landscaping, travelLeave a Comment

2026 = Lead out, natural shorelines in!

Learn about Minnesota’s strange but beloved loon.

At Pig’s Eye, hope and despair abound in equal measure

By: angiehongmn February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

Keeping water cleanDakota, featured, habitat restoration, Minnesota, Mississippi River, Pigs Eye, St. Paul, water pollutionLeave a Comment

Once, it was C̣hokáŋ Taŋka, the Dakota village of Kaposia, and a bountiful mecca for fishing, hunting, and gathering. Later, it was a highway of pollution, filled with human sewage, garbage, and carcasses from the local slaughterhouses. Today, it includes a regional park and DNR Scientific and Natural Area, surrounded by rail yards and heavy industry.

Black-led conservation: Stories from around the world

By: angiehongmn February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

UncategorizedBlack History month, conservation, featured, wildlife habitatLeave a Comment

As we embark on the 100-year anniversary of Black History Month, explore examples of Black-led conservation from around the world – Botswana, Haiti, and Minnesota.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency launches new SMART salt module for rural communities

By: angiehongmn January 31, 2026January 29, 2026

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Uncategorizedchloride pollution, featured, Minnesota, MPCA, rural roads, salt, winterLeave a Comment

Road maintenance in rural communities like Grant and Stillwater Township is significantly different than in larger cities like Oakdale and Woodbury. A new rural roads training module aims to help small communities stretch their limited public works budgets while also protecting local lakes and streams from salt and sediment pollution.

Legacy Amendment is one of many things that Minnesota does well

By: angiehongmn January 23, 2026January 21, 2026

Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Wildlifeclean water, featured, lakes, legacy amendment, wildlife habitatLeave a Comment

The Legacy Amendment has catalyzed significant improvements in Minnesota’s natural environment, including 184 lakes and streams delisted and more than 1 million acres of wildlife habitat protected or restored.

The Science of a Walk

By: angiehongmn January 15, 2026January 15, 2026

Outdoor Adventuresfeatured, mental health, nature, outdoors, snowshoeing, walking, winterLeave a Comment

Feeling stressed or anxious? Going for a walk is good for your body, mind, and soul. Additionally, research shows that the benefits are even greater if you’re able to take that walk outside in nature.