Minnesotans asked to share ideas for climate resiliency

The state has set up a website to provide information and collect ideas from the public related to: 1) Investing in clean transportation; 2) Protecting our natural and working lands; 3) Creating stronger, resilient communities; 4) Moving to clean energy and efficient buildings; and 5) Promoting health, equity, and a strong economy: http://www.climate.state.mn.us/ideas-lead-bold-action.

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Valley Branch Watershed District named 2021 Minnesota Watershed of the Year

To protect homes in land-locked basins, the district built an emergency conveyance system to pump water out, taking care not to overwhelm any other water bodies or drainage systems during the process.

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Sustainable Stillwater recognized as Washington County’s 2021 Community Conservationist

Sustainable Stillwater’s Natural Resources team has helped to recruit 45 raingarden adopters and 218 storm drain adopters. They have also engaged volunteers to stencil storm drains, weed and clean-out a native shoreline buffer at Lily Lake, and install cigarette disposal canisters in downtown Stillwater.

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The secret life of the St. Croix’s freshwater mussels

“The St. Croix River is a rare example of a complete and intact river ecosystem,” explains Marian Shaffer, an Aquatic Biologist with the National Park Service. “In fact, all of the freshwater mussel species that existed in the St. Croix Riverway before European settlement are still here today.”

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Fossils, glaciers, and the water we drink

Groundwater provides 100 percent of the drinking water for people in Washington County and 70 percent of the drinking water in Minnesota.

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Give me a home where the bees and butterflies roam

A native plant revival is underway and Lawns to Legumes grants are here to help.

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Fifty-three Minnesota lakes and streams to be de-listed in 2022

Local lakes scheduled to be delisted next year include East Boot (May Twp), Echo (Mahtomedi), Hay and Jellums (Scandia), Lily and South Twin (Stillwater), and Plaisted (Hugo).

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PFAS contamination works its way to the St. Croix River

Six water bodies in Washington County will likely be added to the state’s impaired waters list due to perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS), also known as the “forever chemical.” The affected waters include Tanners Lake (Oakdale), Eagle Point wetland and H.J. Brown Pond (Lake Elmo Park Reserve), Clear Lake (City of Forest Lake) and the St. Croix River/Lake St. Croix from Taylors Falls to Prescott.

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Wetland in your yard?

Wetlands protect nearby homes from flooding and help to reduce shoreline erosion along the edges of rivers and lakes. If you have a wetland on or near your property, however, you may need to make some changes in your landscaping and seasonal yard care. 

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Rich Fen, Poor Bog

Bogs are acidic and nutrient-poor for plant growth. Fens are rich in nutrients and are alkaline. The Tamarack Nature Preserve is unique because it has characteristics of both.

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