angiehongmn

Sweeping streets and clearing drains for a cleaner St. Croix River

By: angiehongmn December 1, 2022November 29, 2022

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesadopt a drain, featured, stormwater, stormwater pollution, street sweepingLeave a Comment

This winter, the Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership will allocate $40,000 in state funding to help 16 local communities develop targeted, enhanced street sweeping programs in order to reduce stormwater runoff pollution to the St. Croix River and its tributary lakes and streams.

Strange facts about two of Minnesota’s favorite comeback animals

By: angiehongmn November 28, 2022

WildlifeDeer, featured, Minnesota, wild turkeys, WildlifeLeave a Comment

Deer and turkeys are two of the most common charismatic megafauna that we see in the east metro and lower St. Croix Valley, but that wasn’t always the case.

New technology coming from Australia to fight PFAS “forever foam”

By: angiehongmn November 12, 2022

Groundwater, Keeping water cleanfeatured, fish consumption advisory, groundwater contamination, PFAS, pfos, science, technology3 Comments

Funds from the $850 million settlement between 3M and the State of Minnesota will be used to purchase, import, and operate the two systems.

New study finds that plastic pollution is pervasive in National Parks across the United States

By: angiehongmn November 4, 2022November 4, 2022

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanfeatured, fishing, microplastics, Mississippi River, oceans, plastic pollutionLeave a Comment

Plastic makes up 81% of all trash collected in National Parks and federal lands.

Kristina Smitten and Jackson Meadow recognized as 2022 Community Conservationist

By: angiehongmn October 27, 2022October 27, 2022

Partners and Updates, Yards and Landscapingconservation development, featured, Marine on St. Croix, Washington Conservation District, wildlife habitatLeave a Comment

Over the past decade, Smitten has acted as a connector and motivator within her community and has led stewardship efforts not only on the protected natural areas within Jackson Meadows, but also on adjacent properties that are owned by the City of Marine.

Mercury levels going down in Minnesota lakes

By: angiehongmn October 24, 2022

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanfeatured, impaired waters, mercury, Minnesota lakes, MPCA, water pollutionLeave a Comment

In 2020, the MPCA removed Forest Lake, Tanners Lake (Oakdale), Owasso (Roseville/Shoreview), Johanna (Arden Hills) and eight lakes in northern Minnesota from the state’s impaired waters list. This was the first time in Minnesota history that any lake or river recovered from a mercury impairment.

Walking in the woods – new initiatives to grow and tend the forests in Washington County

By: angiehongmn October 13, 2022October 10, 2022

Partners and Updatescommunity forestry, featured, forests, trees, Washington Conservation District, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

This fall, the WCD is launching a new initiative to develop a countywide community forestry program, in partnership with cities, volunteers, and the AmeriCorps Climate Impact Program.

The Changing Landscape of Nature-Based Education in Minnesota

By: angiehongmn October 5, 2022October 4, 2022

Uncategorizedcampus greening, environmental education, featured, nature centers, nature education, schools1 Comment

Spending time outdoors promotes creativity and problem solving, improves academic performance, reduces attention deficit disorder (ADD) symptoms, encourages physical activity, reduces stress, and improves social relations and self-discipline.