angiehongmn

Two miles, three raingardens, and 100 feet of native buffer: Charting Perro Creek’s journey to cleaner water and better health

By: angiehongmn March 18, 2021March 16, 2021

Keeping water clean, Partners and UpdatesBayport, buffers, featured, middle st. croix watershed management organization, native plants, Perro Creek, raingardens, streamsLeave a Comment

Local partners including City of Bayport, the Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization (MSCWMO), and even area Girl Scouts have worked to reduce erosion and improve water quality in Perro Creek through a series of projects including raingardens and native buffer plantings.

Cleaner water ahead at Carver Lake Park in Woodbury

By: angiehongmn March 11, 2021March 10, 2021

Keeping water clean, Local Achievementsalgae blooms, Carver Lake, featured, native plants, raingardens, ramsey washington metro watershed district, stormwater runoff, Washington Conservation District, WoodburyLeave a Comment

This summer, visitors to Carver Lake Park will discover a newly renovated parking lot, complete with a 5220 sq ft raingarden and 8000 sq ft of native plantings designed to filter and treat polluted runoff, as well as create habitat for birds and pollinators. The raingarden will capture 0.7lb of phosphorus, which is enough to prevent 350 pounds of algae from growing in the lake.

Breaking Eurasian watermilfoil’s stranglehold on Minnesota Lakes

By: angiehongmn March 4, 2021March 4, 2021

Aquatic BiologyAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, Big Marine Lake, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, Eurasian watermilfoil, featured, Forest Lake, lakes, Minnesota lakes, Valley Branch Watershed District, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Researchers and lake associations search for new ways to control this aggressive invasive species. Meanwhile, watercraft inspections remain the first line of defense in preventing the spread of AIS.

Intersex fish and cocaine shrimp

By: angiehongmn February 25, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Groundwater, Keeping water cleancontaminants of emerging concern, endocrine disruptors, featured, groundwater, intersex fish, Mississippi River, pesticides, Septic Systems, St. Croix River, wastewater, water pollution1 Comment

Scientists lay the blame for these strange phenomena on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds, such as pesticides, medications, and even common household products like shampoo.

South Washington Watershed District Receives Climate Adaptation Award

By: angiehongmn February 18, 2021February 17, 2021

Local Achievements, Partners and Updatesclimate adaptation, climate change, climate resiliency, featured, flooding, south washington watershed districtLeave a Comment

South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) is working to build resiliency and protect local communities against climate-related threats, including flooding, aquifer draw-down, and invasive species. In recognition of its accomplishments, ongoing work, and leadership on climate adaptation and resiliency, SWWD has been awarded the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership’s 2021 Organization Award.

New fish barrier will keep carp out of Forest Lake

By: angiehongmn February 9, 2021February 4, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatescarp, clean water, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, common carp, featured, fish barrier, fishing, Forest LakeLeave a Comment

This February, CLFLWD replaced an old, dilapidated fish barrier on the northwest side of Forest Lake, where the lake outlets to the Sunrise River to prevent carp and other rough fish from migrating into Forest Lake.

Tracking the health of lakes in Washington County

By: angiehongmn February 4, 2021February 2, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanBig Carnelian Lake, Big Marine Lake, featured, Lake McKusick, lakes, Long Lake, Minnesota lakes, Square Lake, water monitoring, water qualityLeave a Comment

During 2020, Washington Conservation District monitored water quality on 71 lakes in Washington County. Here’s what recent data tell us about five local lakes.

What do bugs have to do with it?

By: angiehongmn January 29, 2021January 29, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanaquatic macroinvertebrates, Brown's Creek, dragonflies, featured, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, odonata, streams, trout, volunteer stream monitoringLeave a Comment

One of the best measures of stream health is the amount and biodiversity of macroinvertebrates we can find in the water.

Online classes for gardeners and nature enthusiasts

By: angiehongmn January 21, 2021January 19, 2021

Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, nature drawing, nature photography, online classes, pollinators, prairie, prairie restoration, trees, wolves1 Comment

Explore new interests, build skills, begin planning for a summer landscaping project at your home, or simply enjoy a few hours of escape from the doldrums of winter.

Finding joy in the snow

By: angiehongmn January 15, 2021

Uncategorizedcross country skiing, featured, snowshoeing1 Comment

My job is to teach people how to keep water clean, and at times, that feels like a minor concern in the jumble of all that is happening. And yet, it occurs to me also that one reason we work so hard to protect our water and natural resources is to ensure that they are there to douse the flames when the world begins to smolder.