By: angiehongmn April 3, 2026March 31, 2026 Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesfeatured, fishing, forever chemicals, PFAS, water pollutionLeave a Comment

How long is forever? Understanding PFAS (aka. Forever Chemicals) and their local impacts

This March, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued updated fish consumption advisories for several lakes and rivers statewide that are impacted by mercury and PFAS.

Would you like to learn more about PFAS and its local impacts? Freshwater and the East Metro Water Education Program will co-host an info session for volunteers and local residents on Wednesday, April 8 (6-8pm) at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Dr. Ali Ling of the University of St. Thomas will speak and there will also be time for questions and conversation. Register at minnesotawaterstewards.org/pfas.

By: angiehongmn March 30, 2026 Yards and Landscapingenvironment, featured, gardening, Homegrown National Park, native plants, nature, pollinators, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Rebuilding lost habitat connections, one yard at a time

More than 47,000 people have joined the “Homegrown National Park” in its first five years and these regular everyday Americans have collectively restored 170,000 acres of native habitat.

Here in Washington County, Minnesota, we’ve observed similar enthusiasm over the past twenty years as native landscaping has grown in popularity.

By: angiehongmn March 23, 2026 Aquatic Biology, Wildlifedamselfly, dragonfly, featured, insects, lakesLeave a Comment

The Secret Lives of Dragonflies

Though most people think of dragonflies as terrestrial flying insects, they actually spend most of their lives in the water. Learn how to spot a baby dragonfly the next time you’re by the water.

By: angiehongmn March 11, 2026March 12, 2026 Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, landscaping, native plants, spring, treesLeave a Comment

These are a few of my favorite things

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.

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

Heron, heron, heron, egret

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.

By: angiehongmn March 1, 2026 Keeping water cleanfeatured, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Mississippi River, nitrogen, phosphorus, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

Slowing the nutrient highway

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.

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

Live, love, laser loon

2026 = Lead out, natural shorelines in!

Learn about Minnesota’s strange but beloved loon.

By: angiehongmn February 17, 2026February 17, 2026 Keeping water cleanDakota, featured, habitat restoration, Minnesota, Mississippi River, Pigs Eye, St. Paul, water pollutionLeave a Comment

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

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.