Mimicking Nature with Green Infrastructure

One way to make better use of nature’s readymade bioengineering is through green infrastructure practices such as raingardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement that help to catch water and hold it on the landscape for future use.

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Bringing public art into stormwater management

A growing number of watershed management organizations are recognizing the value of public art to beautify otherwise boring stormwater management projects, illustrate connections between built and natural environments, and explain technical processes in new and creative ways.

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Jim Pechacek and Caroline Mecklin selected as 2022 Outstanding Conservationists

Jim and Caroline are stewarding farmland in the St. Croix Valley that has been in the family for more than 140 years.

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A very hygge holiday?

Most often, you experience hygge with a small group of friends or family, possibly in front of a fireplace with warm wooly socks and a steaming drink in hand, but definitely not behind the wheel of a car, careening through rush hour traffic in the middle of an ice storm.

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Sweeping streets and clearing drains for a cleaner St. Croix River

This winter, the Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership will allocate $40,000 in state funding to help 16 local communities develop targeted, enhanced street sweeping programs in order to reduce stormwater runoff pollution to the St. Croix River and its tributary lakes and streams.

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New technology coming from Australia to fight PFAS “forever foam”

Funds from the $850 million settlement between 3M and the State of Minnesota will be used to purchase, import, and operate the two systems.

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New study finds that plastic pollution is pervasive in National Parks across the United States

Plastic makes up 81% of all trash collected in National Parks and federal lands.

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Mercury levels going down in Minnesota lakes

In 2020, the MPCA removed Forest Lake, Tanners Lake (Oakdale), Owasso (Roseville/Shoreview), Johanna (Arden Hills) and eight lakes in northern Minnesota from the state’s impaired waters list. This was the first time in Minnesota history that any lake or river recovered from a mercury impairment.

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Friends of Lily Lake invites community to celebrate lake’s “de-listing” on September 30

On Friday, September 30, 5-7:30pm, Friends of Lily Lake will celebrate this return to clean water with a family-friendly community event at Lily Lake Park. The event will include food, music, roasted s’mores over a campfire, and kids nature activities. There will also be a short program at 6pm to officially commemorate the de-listing of Lily Lake. The event is free and open to all.

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Local lakes at risk of too much love

As shorelines become increasingly more developed, we start to see shoreline erosion, fewer fish and wildlife, more algae in the water, and diminished water clarity.

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