Partners and Updates – Page 2

Brown’s Creek winds its way toward cleaner water

By: angiehongmn August 4, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Buckthorn, Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBrown's Creek State Trail, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, fishing, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

This summer, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District completes a large-scale stream restoration project, designed to reduce bank erosion, manage floodwaters during large rain events, and improve habitat for fish along a half-mile stretch of Brown’s Creek that flows between McKusick Ave. and the Brown’s Creek State Trail.

Members of the community are invited to view and learn about the Brown’s Creek stream restoration during a tour on Aug. 12 (6:30pm) and a community festival on Sept. 20 (10am-1pm).

One fish, two fish, plant for more fish?

By: angiehongmn July 25, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Partners and Updates, WildlifeCarnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, featured, fish, fishing, lakes, natural shorelines, shorelines, Valley Branch Watershed DistrictLeave a Comment

Seine netting is one technique that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) uses to collect fish when developing an “index of biological integrity” for a lake, known as an IBI score. The number and variety of fish caught helps the DNR to determine whether a lake fully supports aquatic life.

Submit a nomination for 2025 Natural Shoreline Awards

The Natural Shoreline Award Program recognizes beautiful lakeshore, riverfront and streamside properties that incorporate native flowers, shrubs, trees and plants. Award-winning properties can be located in Chisago, Isanti, Ramsey or Washington Counties.

2025 Program Timeline:
– July 1 – August 7: Call for nominations
– August 7 – 31: Program judges will tour and evaluate shorelines
– September 9: Award recipients are announced

Learn more and submit your nominations.

State funds help to amplify the work of local government partners in the St. Croix Watershed

By: angiehongmn May 5, 2025May 2, 2025

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, UncategorizedClean Water Fund, featured, Minnesota, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

Nearly 8000 square miles of land in Minnesota and Wisconsin drains to the St. Croix River. Within this larger basin, 915 square miles of land on the Minnesota side is included in the Lower St. Croix watershed. This encompasses 127 lakes, over 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, and approximately 152,000 acres of wetlands.

In its first four years, the Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership reduced phosphorus to local waterways by 10,959 pounds per year, which is nearly double what the group hoped to achieve over the course of its 10-year plan.

An apple farmer by day, conservation champion for a lifetime

By: angiehongmn March 18, 2025March 18, 2025

Local Achievements, Partners and Updates, Uncategorizedapple orchards, Chisago County, Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District, farming, featured, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, soil and water conservationLeave a Comment

Over the course of his career, Jim Birkholz has supported SWCDs around the state, established a thriving family-run orchard, and helped to complete dozens of large-scale land and water protection efforts in Chisago County.

Community art project explores flora and fauna of the Brown’s Creek Watershed

By: angiehongmn February 28, 2025February 28, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Partners and Updates, Wildlifeart, Browns Creek Watershed DIstrict, drawing, featured, painting, poetry, St Croix River, Stillwater, writingLeave a Comment

The Water Where We Live is open for viewing Mondays through Fridays from 10am – 3pm or by appointment at A House Unbuilt’s Art & Water Space (321 Main Street S – second floor). There will also be a reception on Thursday, March 6 from 4-7pm that is free and open to the public. Stop by to meet the artists, have a drink at the “Water Bar,” and learn from environmental professionals at Brown’s Creek Watershed District and EOR.

Rivers re-wilded, fish return

By: angiehongmn February 18, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Partners and Updates, Wildlifedam removal, featured, fishing, Minnesota, remeander, rivers, streams, sturgeon, trout, WisconsinLeave a Comment

From dam removals to re-meander projects, many rivers and streams in Minnesota are regaining their wildness and seeing fish and other wildlife return.

New grant funds help local communities prepare for extreme weather

By: angiehongmn January 19, 2025January 15, 2025

Partners and Updatesclimate change, climate resiliency, featured, floodingLeave a Comment

Local watershed districts, including the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix, Comfort Lake – Forest Lake, and Ramsey-Washington Metro, are tapping into new funds from the state to reduce flood risk.

Local cities find innovative strategies to reduce chloride pollution

By: angiehongmn December 17, 2024

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updateschloride, featured, Minnesota, salt, winterLeave a Comment

From heated sidewalks to GPS-based snow plow systems, local cities are taking big steps to reduce chloride pollution.

Tending trees and lake on the edge of the Northwoods

By: angiehongmn November 9, 2024November 1, 2024

Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBone Lake, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, featured, lakeshore, minnesota water steward, trees, volunteers, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

In recognition of his many years of volunteer efforts tending trees and water on the edge of the Northwoods, Tom Furey was selected as the Washington County Conservation Cooperator of the year for 2024. He also received a Watershed Champion award from the CLFLWD at their 25th Anniversary celebration in September.