East Metro Water

Adapting to a Changing Climate (Or, the Importance of Wearing a Hat in the Rain)

By: angiehongmn October 30, 2017

Partners and UpdatesBarr Engineering, climate adaptation, climate change, Freshwater Society, ramsey washington metro watershed district, resiliency, south washington watershed districtLeave a Comment

I’ll never forget the time that I got lost running on the trails at Jay Cooke State Park in the pouring rain. My friends and I were up north for a 1980’s style girls-weekend camping trip (more on that another time) and I was training for my second Grandma’s Marathon. Early in the morning, I…

Forest Lake Considers a New Plan for Cleaner Streets and Cleaner Lakes

By: angiehongmn October 27, 2017

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesclean water, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, Forest Lake, leaves, street sweepingLeave a Comment

Analysis conducted by Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. (EOR) for the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District indicates that the City of Forest Lake could keep an additional 137 pounds of phosphorus and 169,793 pounds of solids out of local lakes if it began sweeping twice a month with a regenerative air sweeper.

A Conservation Ethic Runs in the Family

By: angiehongmn October 27, 2017

Uncategorizedagricultural projects, Clean Water Fund, conservation easement, Minnesota Land Trust, south washington watershed district, St. Croix River, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Doug Schaffer remembers moving from Roseville to Demark Township in 1969 when he was 15 years old. It was a big change for a city kid. His parents, Kenneth and Margery, purchased 120 acres of farmland along the St. Croix River south of Afton State Park in an area dominated by rolling hills, farms, and…

A New Bridge and Better Habitat Along the Mississippi River

By: angiehongmn October 11, 2017

Local Achievements, Partners and Updatesclean water, Grey Cloud, habitat restoration, Mississippi River, south washington watershed district, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

This fall, Washington County and South Washington Watershed District are constructing a new bridge in Grey Cloud Township that will finally restore the natural water flow in Grey Cloud Slough and help to flush out sediment and nutrients that have accumulated over the past 50 years.

Protecting Pollinators – What’s the Latest Buzz?

By: angiehongmn September 28, 2017

Uncategorized, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingbees, honeybees, monarchs, native plants, pollinatorsLeave a Comment

There are 250 native bee species in Minnesota and 140 species of butterflies.

Turtle Tunnel Provides a Rare Glimpse Into the Secret Lives of Wildlife

By: angiehongmn September 20, 2017November 9, 2023

WildlifeBig Marine Park Reserve, Blanding's turtle, threatened species, turtle crossing, turtles, wildlife photographyLeave a Comment

Northern Washington County, including Big Marine Park Reserve, contains this special mix of habitat types and, therefore, is one of the few places in the state where Blanding’s turtles still roam.

Community Water Meetings Offer Citizens the Opportunity to Help Shape Minnesota Policy

By: angiehongmn September 19, 2017

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesdrinking water, Governor Dayton, groundwater, lakes, rivers, streams, waterLeave a Comment

The Stillwater Town Hall meeting will be held on Oct. 5. There will be smaller community water meetings on Thursday, Sept. 21, 6:30-8:30pm at the White Bear Lake City Hall; Tuesday, Sept. 26, 6:30-8:30pm at the R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury; and Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6:30-8:30pm at the Marine Town Hall.

Tracing Lazy Circles in the Sand

By: angiehongmn August 14, 2017

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Wildlifefreshwater mussels, Mississippi River, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

Forty species of mussels live in the St. Croix, including five that are listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act: the Higgin’s eye, sheepnose, snuffbox, spectaclecase and winged mapleleaf.

Reflecting on 75 Years of Conservation in Washington County

By: angiehongmn August 10, 2017

Local Achievements, Partners and Updatesclean water, conservation, soil health, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

The landscape of Washington County has changed tremendously since 1942, but many of our conservation challenges and solutions remain the same.

Creating a Legacy of Landscape Restoration in Washington County – Guided Prairie Tour Near Withrow, Aug. 16

By: angiehongmn August 9, 2017

Yards and Landscapinghabitat restoration, prairie, Washington Conservation District, wildlife habitatLeave a Comment

When Jyneen Thatcher decided to make a mid-life career change, she wasn’t quite sure where her new path would lead her. She enrolled in the landscape architecture program at the University of Minnesota, with an interest in natural resources restoration. “Most of the other students in the program were designing artistic features for urban landscapes,”…