East Metro Water

Paddle, Bike, Repeat: Four days on the Namekagon and St. Croix Rivers

By: angiehongmn July 3, 2020July 2, 2020

Outdoor Adventurescanoeing, clean water, featured, freshwater mussels, Minnesota, Namekagon River, St. Croix River, trout, Wild and Scenic River, WisconsinLeave a Comment

We started our trip at the County Rd K landing (Namekagon River), near Trego, Wisconsin, and ended four days later at the Lower Tamarack landing (St. Croix River), 47-miles downriver. To avoid using a shuttle or bringing two cars, I brought my mountain bike along and rode back to our put-in at the end of each day to bring our truck and camping gear down to the next location.

Rumor has it there’s a rumor in town

By: angiehongmn June 25, 2020June 23, 2020

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventuresclean water, featured, fishing, Minnesota lakes, Oakdale, ramsey washington metro watershed district, swimming1 Comment

Tanners Lake is part of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD), and the district has worked hard to improve and protect water quality in the lake over the past 20 years. In fact, Tanners was one of the first lakes in Minnesota to be removed from the state’s impaired waters list (in 2004) after phosphorus levels went down and algae stopped being a problem.

Friends of Sunfish Lake Park lands $139,000 grant to manage buckthorn

By: angiehongmn June 18, 2020June 16, 2020

Buckthorn, Partners and Updatesbuckthorn, featured, Lake Elmo, Minnesota DNR, native plants, Outdoor Heritage Fund, Sunfish Lake Park, wildlife habitat, woodland wildflowers, woodlandsLeave a Comment

This summer, Friends of Sunfish Lake Park secured a $139,000 grant from the Minnesota Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program to remove buckthorn and restore native plants in 40 acres of the park. The City of Lake Elmo will contribute $10,000 to the project and volunteers will provide at least 300 hours of in-kind support as well.

Meandering in the woods

By: angiehongmn June 12, 2020June 12, 2020

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventures, Partners and UpdatesAfton Alps, Afton State Park, designated trout stream, featured, hiking with kids, south washington watershed district, St. Croix River, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

There is an art to meandering in the woods. For Trout Brook and other naturalized streams, the “wiggles” allow for different types of habitat that fish need.

Sometimes people need a pause to wander in the woods as well.

River flowing, gathering tears

By: angiehongmn June 4, 2020

Keeping water cleanfeatured, Minnesota, Mississippi River, Nibi Water Walks, water pollutionLeave a Comment

The Mississippi is like a woman with a basket on her back that grows heavier by the hour. Sometimes I think she gathers our tears as well, as she sweeps through burning cities and past people crying out for justice.

A Modern Day Tale of Tortoise and Hare

By: angiehongmn May 29, 2020May 26, 2020

WildlifeBig Marine Park Reserve, biking, Blanding's turtle, featured, Habitat, turtle crossing, turtles, wildlife habitatLeave a Comment

As I rounded the corner, I hit the gas and pedaled harder knowing the other bike was probably close behind. Perhaps he’d seen pigtails sticking out from beneath my helmet and thought it would be easy to catch a girl. Little did he know that I am quick like a rabbit.

Find wilderness close to home

By: angiehongmn May 22, 2020

Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventureschildren in nature, featured, outdoor recreation, outdoors, Scientific and Natural Areas, St. Croix River, St. Croix River Association, St. Croix Valley, wilderness1 Comment

Like any good wilderness adventure, our day featured a stimulating mix of peaceful solitude, surprising discoveries, playful rest time, and harrowing travel.

Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species while fishing and boating this season

By: angiehongmn May 14, 2020May 13, 2020

Aquatic BiologyAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, boating, featured, fishing, Minnesota lakesLeave a Comment

Last weekend, Minnesota’s 2020 fishing season opened with a bang. There was snow up north, only a few fish caught in the St. Croix River, and no cameo appearances from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. None-the-less, record numbers of Minnesotans purchased fishing licenses last week and set sail in search of walleye, pike, and lake trout…

Green Lands, Blue Waters – A new menu for Minnesota farmers?

By: angiehongmn May 8, 2020May 8, 2020

Groundwater, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesdrinking water, farming, featured, groundwater, Kernza, nitrates, nitrogen, perennial crops, sustainable agriculture, water pollutionLeave a Comment

Do you like Kernza® and jam? Would you eat it in a boat? Would you eat it with a goat? Would you try it drenched in milk, ground to flour, or brewed as beer? Kansas-based nonprofit, The Land Institute, has spent more than 40 years researching and developing new farming strategies to protect soil and…

One woman’s weed is another woman’s salad

By: angiehongmn April 30, 2020April 30, 2020

Outdoor Adventures, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, lawns, nature, outdoors, survival skills, wild ediblesLeave a Comment

Look! There’s a yellow flower growing in that jagged sidewalk crack, but watch out! You almost stepped on the crack and everyone knows that would break your mother’s back. Is it a weed or is it a flower? I guess that depends on who you ask, but rub it on your chin and see if…