Outdoor Adventures – East Metro Water

Touring Wakáŋ Tipi at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary – Same View, New Perspective

By: angiehongmn August 19, 2021August 19, 2021

Outdoor AdventuresBruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, Dakota, featured, habitat restoration, Mississippi River, Wakáŋ TipiLeave a Comment

“We’ve never lost our connection to this space but it’s important to bring native people back here and have them making decisions on how the land in managed,” says Keeli Siyaka, Environmental Justice Educator at the Lower Phalen Creek Project.

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 flower’s fleeting charm

By: angiehongmn April 8, 2021

Outdoor AdventuresEarth Day, featured, native plants, spring, spring ephemerals, spring wildflowers, woodland wildflowers1 Comment

Of all the flowers that exist, spring ephemerals are the ones that I hold dearest in my heart.

Frozen fish and salty toes

By: angiehongmn January 7, 2021February 4, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventureschloride pollution, featured, fishing, ice fishing, Minnesota lakes, road salt, saltLeave a Comment

One growing concern for urban lakes and streams is pollution from winter road salt. Currently, there are 50 lakes and streams in Minnesota that are listed as impaired due to elevated chlorides and another 75 that are “nearly” impaired.

Getting older shouldn’t mean staying indoors

By: angiehongmn December 17, 2020December 15, 2020

Outdoor Adventuresfeatured, getting seniors outdoors, healthy living, mental health, outdoor recreation, senior health1 Comment

Randy Thoreson, a retired National Park Service employee, has traveled the country advocating for new programs to help get seniors outdoors in nature.

The healing power of nature

By: angiehongmn December 10, 2020December 8, 2020

Outdoor Adventuresbenefits of nature, ecotherapy, featured, mental health, nature, poetry2 Comments

If you’ve ever noticed that you feel happier and more relaxed after spending time outdoors, you won’t be surprised to hear that research shows a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.

In the in between

By: angiehongmn December 3, 2020

Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventures, Partners and Updatesfeatured, hiking, late fall, St. Croix River, St. Croix watershed, watershed management, William O'Brien State Park, winterLeave a Comment

We’re in the season of in between, both literally and metaphorically. The leaves have fallen but the snow has not. A crisp layer of ice coats the corners of the lakes and rivers, not yet thick enough to support our weight, but cold and sharp enough to keep us from impulsively leaping in for one last swim.

In the time of in between, look for the simple pleasures in life. The magic is still happening, just a little bit more quietly.

New trails highlight major changes at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

By: angiehongmn November 20, 2020

Buckthorn, Outdoor Adventures, Partners and Updates, Wildlifebuckthorn, cross country skiing, featured, goats, habitat restoration, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Minnesota trails, oak savanna, parks and trails, prairie, Washington County ParksLeave a Comment

This year, Washington County launched a major transformation at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, aided in part by a grant from the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund. The park has added a new parking lot and entrance off of Inwood Ave., created new trails, and began work to restore 166 acres of prairie and oak savanna. On the east side of the park near the Nordic Center, Washington County added 2.2 miles of new ski trails.

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.

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.