angiehongmn

Boy Scouts and Water Stewards help to create outdoor classrooms in Woodbury

By: angiehongmn November 6, 2020

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Water Conservation, Yards and LandscapingBoy Scouts, environmental education, featured, Master Water Stewards, prairie, south washington watershed district, stormwater, volunteering, water conservation, WoodburyLeave a Comment

South Washington Watershed District created its Campus Greening program two years ago to encourage schools and other large campuses to think holistically about how they can meet stormwater management requirements when expanding buildings and parking areas. At the Lake and Middleton campus, South Washington County Schools (District 844) worked with SWWD to convert 15 acres of turf to prairie, plant 200 trees, and create the two new outdoor classrooms.

Water stewards inspire neighbors to take action and adopt storm drains

By: angiehongmn October 29, 2020October 29, 2020

Keeping water cleanadopt a drain, featured, stormwater, stormwater pollution, volunteering, water stewardsLeave a Comment

To date, Twin Cities’ residents have adopted 13,747 storm drains. However, only 530 of those are in Washington County. This fall, the East Metro Water Resource Education Program is encouraging people to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and join the movement to promote clean lakes, rivers and streams. To sign up, go to http://www.Adopt-a-Drain.org.

Brown’s Creek Watershed District Receives Two National Awards in 2020

By: angiehongmn October 27, 2020

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBrown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, clean water, designated trout stream, featured, troutLeave a Comment

This fall, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District will receive awards from the American Water Resources Association and the Water Environment Federation for long-term work to protect Brown’s Creek.

New rule restricts nitrogen fertilizer application after Sept. 1

By: angiehongmn October 15, 2020October 9, 2020

Groundwater, Partners and Updatesdrinking water, farming, featured, fertilizer, groundwater, groundwater contamination, nitratesLeave a Comment

Beginning September 1, 2020, Part 1 of the Groundwater Protection Rule goes into effect, restricting the application of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soils in areas with vulnerable groundwater. It applies to approximately 12-13% of Minnesota’s cropland and nearly half of the land in Washington County.

Tamarack Nature Preserve Park & Boardwalk Reopening Celebration

By: angiehongmn October 10, 2020October 9, 2020

Outdoor Adventures, Partners and Updates, Uncategorizedfeatured, parks and trails, ramsey washington metro watershed district, rich fen, Tamarack Nature Preserve, tamarack trees, Wetlands, Woodbury1 Comment

Smack dab in the middle of bustling, suburban Woodbury, the Tamarack Nature Preserve is a hidden gem containing the southern-most tamarack swamp in Minnesota. A community event Oct. 16-18 will include a virtual tour and water pollution mystery game.

Fall yard care reminders and tips

By: angiehongmn September 28, 2020

Yards and Landscapingfall, featured, gardening, lawns, leaves, pollinatorsLeave a Comment

Harvest the last of your tomatoes and herbs now before they’re killed by an overnight freeze. Wait to cut down old stems and seed heads until the late spring. Instead of raking leaves, mow your lawn a few times to mulch up the leaves and return nutrients to the soil. If you live on a lake, be sure that you hire a DNR certified contractor to remove your dock this fall.

Explore the Brown’s Creek Watershed with a virtual tour and scavenger hunt

By: angiehongmn September 24, 2020

Outdoor Adventures, Partners and Updatesbiking, Brown's Creek State Trail, Brown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, environmental education, family fun, featured, kids activities, scavenger hunt1 Comment

This fall, Brown’s Creek Watershed District is offering a virtual tour and scavenger hunt to highlight some of the historical features, natural wonders, and stream-improvement projects along the route.

Transformation underway at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

By: angiehongmn September 18, 2020

Buckthorn, Partners and Updates, Wildlifefeatured, goats, habitat restoration, Lake Elmo, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, oak savanna, prairie, Washington Conservation District, Washington County, Washington County ParksLeave a Comment

Washington County secured funding through the Outdoor Heritage Fund to restore and improve 166 acres of prairie and oak savanna at Lake Elmo Park Reserve around Eagle Point Lake and in the north end of the park.

Campus greening projects planned for Valley Crossing and Crestview Elementary Schools

By: angiehongmn September 11, 2020September 11, 2020

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Water Conservationcampus greening, Cottage Grove, environmental education, featured, habitat restoration, south washington watershed district, WoodburyLeave a Comment

At Valley Crossing in Woodbury, the school will convert 3.7 acres of turf to oak savanna and revitalize 7.15 acres of existing prairie on site. Crestview Elementary in Cottage Grove will restore 10 acres of degraded woodlands on campus and convert several areas of unused turf to prairie as well. The project is a partnership between South Washington Watershed District and South Washington County School District 833.

Debate over Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline floats quietly through the St. Croix River Valley

By: angiehongmn September 3, 2020September 3, 2020

Keeping water cleanAnishinaabe, Enbridge, featured, Line 3, Mississippi River, MPCA, St. Croix River, water qualityLeave a Comment

Since Aug. 5, Relay for Our Water participants have been transporting water from the Mississippi River headwaters through the state to protest construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline.