East Metro Water

Confessions of an Inline Skater

By: angiehongmn December 16, 2011

Keeping water clean, Yards and Landscapingcoal-tar based sealant, driveway, waterLeave a Comment

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are doing a number on our lakes.

Abounding Deer and Combines in the Fields

By: angiehongmn December 9, 2011

Water Conservation, WildlifeAgricultural Conservation, DeerLeave a Comment

Do overabundant deer have any impact on nearby streams and waterways?

“Grandpa, why are there dragonflies?”

By: angiehongmn December 2, 2011

Keeping water clean, WildlifeLeave a Comment

I paused slightly and pondered my seven year-old grandson’s question, “Why are there dragonflies?” My training taught me that the dragonfly comes from the scientific order Odonata, loosely meaning, “toothed ones”, because of their toothly lower lip used to capture and hold prey, as they eat. Next is the suborder of Anisoptera, meaning “different wings”…

I won’t be home for Christmas

By: angiehongmn November 18, 2011

Keeping water cleangroundwater, road salt, water pollutionLeave a Comment

Salt is only part of the equation when it comes to keeping our roads safe in the winter.

FarmWise pilot project a winning idea

By: angiehongmn November 14, 2011

Keeping water cleanConservation farming, Freshwater Society, National Park Service, non-point source pollution, Washington Conservation District, water pollutionLeave a Comment

Earlier this year, FarmWise won $15,000 in the Minnesota Idea Open, a competition that asked people across the state to vote on-line and during the Minnesota State Fair to select their favorite, most innovative ideas for cleaning up Minnesota waterways.

Maplewood Mall: The next urban forest?

By: angiehongmn November 8, 2011

Keeping water cleanphosphorus, ramsey washington metro watershed district, stormwater pollution, trees, water pollution2 Comments

Now, thanks to an ambitious project of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, trees are sprouting right out of the pavement in the parking lot of the Mall.

Local Afton couple lends a helping hand to Valley Creek

By: angiehongmn October 31, 2011

Local Achievementsconservation, shoreline plantings, Valley Branch Watershed District, voluntary projects, Washington Conservation District, wildlife habitatLeave a Comment

In striving to improve their little corner of the woods, Mike and Trudy Berggren have demonstrated that conservation is a gift that one can both give and receive.

Local Churches find Multiple Benefits in Stewardship Projects

By: angiehongmn October 25, 2011

Keeping water clean, Local AchievementsBlue Thumb, middle st. croix watershed management organization, raingardens, rice creek watershed district, south washington watershed district, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Locally, more and more places of worship are using environmental stewardship projects as a way to bring members together, add beauty to their church grounds, and demonstrate caretaking for God’s creation.

When Change doesn’t Happen Overnight

By: angiehongmn October 19, 2011

Aquatic Biologyalgae, aquatic plants, invasive plants, water pollutionLeave a Comment

By the time our favorite lake hits the tipping point, it usually requires a decade or more of intensive effort to reverse the effect.

If at first you don’t succeed, kill, kill again

By: angiehongmn October 11, 2011

Buckthornbuckthorn, invasive plants, native plants, wildlife habitatLeave a Comment

Visit http://www.mnwcd.org/buckthorn to learn more about managing buckthorn on your land, including removal strategies, information about controlling buckthorn with herbicides, and a list of local buckthorn consultants that can help you get the work done.