angiehongmn

Continuing a legacy of soil and water conservation

By: angiehongmn March 16, 2023March 15, 2023

Partners and Updatesconservation, featured, Minnesota, soil and water, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Last week, SWCD staff and supervisors from around the state met with state legislators during the annual Soil and Water Conservation Districts Day at the Capitol.

Trout return to Afton’s Trout Brook

By: angiehongmn March 9, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Local Achievements, Partners and Updates, WildlifeAfton Alps, Afton State Park, featured, south washington watershed district, trout, Trout BrookLeave a Comment

The stream restoration project creates different types of habitat that fish need, including deep pools with slow-moving water, shallow riffles with fast, turbulent water running over rocks, and runs with deep, fast water and little to no turbulence.

An end to fish favoritism?

By: angiehongmn March 2, 2023March 2, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Wildlifeecology, featured, fish, fishing, rough fish1 Comment

This spring, Minnesota lawmakers consider new legislation, known as the “No Junk Fish” bill, which would provide funding for the DNR to study native fish species that are currently classified as rough fish and propose updated regulations to better manage and protect their populations.

Busy buzzing bees and such

By: angiehongmn February 23, 2023February 23, 2023

Yards and Landscapingbees, butterflies, featured, native gardens, pollinators, waspsLeave a Comment

It is said that one out of every three bites of food we eat is created with the help of pollinators. Unfortunately, many species of pollinators are declining due to loss of habitat and the use of insecticides, including neonicotinoids. Happily, regular people like you and I can help to create pockets of biodiversity and protect pollinators, simply by incorporating flowering native plants into our yards to provide blooms throughout the growing season.

Growth and change at William O’Brien State Park

By: angiehongmn February 16, 2023February 14, 2023

Outdoor Adventures, Partners and Updatesfeatured, Minnesota State Parks, William O'Brien State ParkLeave a Comment

By 1947, there were 30 state parks in Minnesota but none located close to the Twin Cities area. That’s when Alice O’Brien stepped up to donate 180 acres of land near Marine on St. Croix, which formed the seed for a new park to grow.

Planning ahead for a rainy day

By: angiehongmn February 14, 2023

Local Achievements, Partners and Updatescomfort lake - forest lake watershed district, featured, flooding, WetlandsLeave a Comment

Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District launches wetland enhancement project, wins Climate Adaptation award.

Mimicking Nature with Green Infrastructure

By: angiehongmn February 9, 2023February 9, 2023

Keeping water cleanfeatured, flooding, green infrastructure, green roof, groundwater, porous pavement, raingarden, stormwater pollutionLeave a Comment

One way to make better use of nature’s readymade bioengineering is through green infrastructure practices such as raingardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement that help to catch water and hold it on the landscape for future use.

Woman’s best friend

By: angiehongmn February 2, 2023January 31, 2023

Outdoor Adventuresdogs, featured, outdoors1 Comment

As a lifelong lover of both the outdoors and dogs, my fondest memories of the two are inextricably linked.

Bringing public art into stormwater management

By: angiehongmn January 26, 2023January 24, 2023

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesart, featured, public art, ramsey washington metro watershed district, south washington watershed district, stormwater, WoodburyLeave a Comment

A growing number of watershed management organizations are recognizing the value of public art to beautify otherwise boring stormwater management projects, illustrate connections between built and natural environments, and explain technical processes in new and creative ways.