angiehongmn

Heat Wave Spurs Harmful Algal Blooms in Some Minnesota Lakes

By: angiehongmn July 29, 2021July 27, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanalgae, algae blooms, blue-green algae, Carver Lake, featured, WoodburyLeave a Comment

Usually, algae and aquatic plants are merely a nuisance, but sometimes a form of cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae can bloom and release toxins that make humans and animals sick.

Bee Lawns are Green Lawns

By: angiehongmn July 22, 2021July 22, 2021

Yards and Landscapingbee lawns, bees, Blue Thumb, drought, featured, lawns, pollinators, water conservation1 Comment

Unlike typical lawns, bee-friendly lawns feature a mix of drought-tolerant fine fescue grasses and low-growing flowers such as Dutch white clover, creeping thyme, and self heal.

In the Woods and on the Water

By: angiehongmn July 8, 2021

Outdoor Adventures, Uncategorizedfamily fun, featured, nature, outdoorsLeave a Comment

Here is a lineup of some of the many FREE, fun, outdoor events scheduled in Washington County during the coming month.

A Martha Stewart Guide to Lake Water Quality

By: angiehongmn July 1, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesalgae, Chisago County, Chisago Lake Improvement District, featured, Minnesota lakes, water monitoringLeave a Comment

Three variables – water clarity, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll – are combined to create a metric known as a trophic state index.

A few years back, Jerry Spetzman began noticing that the color of the algae samples on a white filter corresponded almost perfectly with the lakes’ overall water quality.

Holey Pavement

By: angiehongmn June 24, 2021

Keeping water cleanfeatured, grassy pave, permeable pavers, porous pavement, stormwater, stormwater runoffLeave a Comment

Conventional pavement is impermeable, which is a fancy way of saying that water does not soak through it when it rains. In contrast, porous pavement is holey – in a good way.

Feeling parched in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

By: angiehongmn June 17, 2021June 18, 2021

Groundwater, Yards and Landscapingdrinking water, drought, featured, groundwater, irrigation, lawn care1 Comment

According to the University of Minnesota, approximately 20% of all treated drinking water in the Twin Cities metro area is used outdoors, with a majority of this being used on lawns and landscapes.

Can that baby dragon fly?

By: angiehongmn June 10, 2021June 9, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Wildlifeaquatic macroinvertebrates, dragonflies, featured, insects2 Comments

Most people consider dragonflies and damselflies to be terrestrial flying insects, but in fact, they spend more than half of their lives in the water.

Create pockets of habitat with native plants

By: angiehongmn June 3, 2021June 3, 2021

Yards and Landscapingbirds, featured, gardening, native plants, plant grants, pollinators, sustainable landscaping, WildlifeLeave a Comment

Minnesotans can help to restore habitat for wildlife by planting native flowers, shrubs and trees in our yards to create pocket oases and connected corridors near larger parks and natural areas.