By: angiehongmn May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 Outdoor Adventures, Uncategorizedbirding, buckthorn, environmental education, featured, hiking, Lake Elmo, Sally Manzara Nature Center, Sunfish Lake Park, woodsLeave a Comment

A place for everyone at Sunfish Lake Park

On a sunny Friday in April, the dog and I hiked at Sunfish Lake Park in Lake Elmo and found rue anemone, wood anemone, and an abundance of violets sprinkled on the forest floor. Higher in the trees, two barred owls enjoyed an extended conversation. Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all? I counted 17 painted turtles sharing one long skinny log in the lake, and was excited to see red breasted mergansers and a pair of mallards as well.

By: angiehongmn April 21, 2026 UncategorizedEarth Day, environment, featured, History, Minnesota, St. Croix River, United States, WisconsinLeave a Comment

Earth Day is more than just a feel-good event

In 1965, protests in Stillwater, Minnesota ignited a national conversation that eventually inspired Congress to pass the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968.

Two years later, Senator Gaylord Nelson (WI) helped to organize the very first “Earth Day” on April 22, 1970. During this inaugural event, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — participated in teach-ins and rallies, calling for sweeping changes to end the environmental destruction they saw happening across the nation.

By: angiehongmn April 17, 2026April 14, 2026 Outdoor Adventuresfeatured, spring, spring ephemerals, Wetlands, wildflowers, woodsLeave a Comment

A walk in the woods

At first, the leaves were brown, and the sky was grey, and the air was cold, and I was sad that day.

And then, there was a flower.

By: angiehongmn April 10, 2026April 8, 2026 Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, lawn care, springLeave a Comment

Lazy gardener’s guide to spring

If I could give you one word of advice to guide your yard care activities during the month of April, it would be “wait.”

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.