East Metro Water

Give me a home where the butterflies roam

By: angiehongmn July 17, 2019July 17, 2019

Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingbees, Blue Thumb, environment, featured, gardening, monarchs, native landscaping, Pollinator Friendly Alliance, pollinators, prairieLeave a Comment

On May 11, 1858, the United States of America welcomed its 32nd state to the union – 18 million acres of prairie, 21 million acres of wetlands, 31.5 million acres of forests, and 11,842 lakes, now lovingly known as Minnesota. Over the years, Minnesota has grown and prospered. Settlers drained wetlands to make way for…

Long Lake “Water Critters” program offers intergenerational learning and an introduction to The Lakes at Stillwater

By: angiehongmn July 8, 2019July 8, 2019

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Local AchievementsBrown's Creek Watershed District, family fun, featured, intergenerational learning, Long Lake, nature, StillwaterLeave a Comment

Wednesday, July 10, 6-7pm On the outdoor terrace of The Lodge, there is a large fire ring, a dozen oversized deck chairs, and a tranquil view of the wooded lake below. Standing on that terrace, you might think you were at a resort in northern Minnesota, or perhaps a hunting lodge in Montana. In reality,…

New funding coming soon for bee-friendly yards

By: angiehongmn June 20, 2019June 5, 2019

Keeping water clean, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingbee lawns, bees, featured, lawns to legumes, native plants, pollinators, rusty patched bumble beeLeave a Comment

Cheryl Seeman is a Master Gardener and bee-lover who lives on Crooked Lake in Andover. “They call me the Queen Bee,” says Seeman with a laugh, as she leads visitors through her verdant yard and gardens. The lawn is dotted with white clover and dandelion blooms. A wide rain garden borders a curbside city storm…

Orangutans, sun bears, and elephants – oh my!

By: angiehongmn June 17, 2019June 17, 2019

Outdoor Adventures, WildlifeBorneo, endangered species, Malaysia, orangutans, pygmy elephants, rainforests, Sabah, Sukau Rainforest Lodge, travel, wildlife habitat2 Comments

Three days in Malaysian Borneo “I think that we are the luckiest people in the world,” my son announced as he tossed me an impish smile from the front of our boat. Yesterday, we’d been thrilled to find a pygmy elephant down by the river’s edge – our guide said it was the first he’d…

Singapore wows with food, fun, and floral fantasía

By: angiehongmn June 14, 2019June 14, 2019

Uncategorizedgreen architecture, Singapore, travelLeave a Comment

While traveling through Southeast Asia, author Angie Hong shares tales from her adventures. There is a towering grove of truffula trees twinkling beside the ocean. Inside two giant glass domes, sweet air carries the scent of orchids, roses, and myriad tropical flowers. There are waterfalls, lush green walls, and even a room full of stalactites…

Forest Lake Schools chart path to a greener future

By: angiehongmn June 13, 2019June 4, 2019

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Water Conservationcomfort lake - forest lake watershed district, environmental education, featured, Forest Lake, rice creek watershed districtLeave a Comment

Lakes International Language Academy & Forest Lake Area High School both gain recognition for environmental initiatives The fourth grade students at Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) have been learning a lot about water this year. “We have a science unit about matter and have focused on water throughout the year,” explains teacher Roberto Izquierdo. “It…

Restoring habitat successfully also means learning to live with wildlife again

By: angiehongmn June 6, 2019June 4, 2019

Wildlifebears, endangered species, featured, monarchs, wildlife habitat1 Comment

Two years ago, before my family embarked on a trip-of-a-lifetime to Australia, we sat down for a frank discussion around the dinner table. “Here’s the deal,” I announced, as I looked at my mother, my husband, and especially my then 4-year old son. “There are saltwater crocodiles in tropical northern Queensland, and we need to…

If those trees could walk

By: angiehongmn May 31, 2019

Yards and Landscapingclimate change, climate resiliency, featured, treesLeave a Comment

Managing woodlands for a changing climate Deep in the heart of Ecuador’s Sumaco Biosphere Reserve, the trees are slowly walking – very, very slowly. In pursuit of better living conditions, the trees grow new roots that stretch across the forest floor and gradually pull the rest of the tree along behind. These so-called walking palms…

Salt levels are rising in Minnesota waters and it’s not just winter to blame

By: angiehongmn May 28, 2019May 28, 2019

Keeping water cleanchloride pollution, featured, Minnesota lakes, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, salt, streams2 Comments

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency would like you to think about salt, and not just because we saw snow on May 19. As chloride concentrations continue to rise in lakes, rivers, and groundwater around Minnesota, the agency is working with partners to develop a Statewide Chloride Management Plan that will help to keep our freshwater…