By splitting the cost of clean water projects with private landowners, watershed organizations are able to stretch grants and public, taxpayer funding further so that they can complete more projects per year. Private landowners, on the other hand, benefit from the design and installation assistance provided by the watersheds and are able to take on planting projects that they may not have been able to do, or afford, on their own.
Read MoreCheck for signs of the gypsy moth this spring
Although they may look innocent at this stage, the gypsy moth caterpillars are extremely dangerous for trees. They feed for five to six weeks during late spring to mid-summer, during which time each caterpillar can eat up to nine square feet of leaves.
Read MoreA Hill of Beans
In your garbage, compost will fester for a few days, attracting a fruit fly or two, and eventually contribute to the over 48 million tons of food waste created by people in the U.S. every year. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, food waste makes up 17% of the garbage in our ever-filling landfills.
Read MoreLessons from the locals
Says Stillwater Council Member Doug Menikheim, “The Lake McKusick story is a great example of what can happen when citizens pitch in to improve their community and different layers of government work together to save money and get things done.â€
Read MoreGetting rid of junk
On Tuesday, April 26 Washington County, South Washington Watershed District and the City of Cottage Grove will be co-hosting an open-house at the Environmental Center from 5-6:30pm. During this time, they will be showcasing clean water projects from around the county as well as providing information about cost-share grants and assistance available to help residents improve backyard habitat and do clean water landscaping projects like raingardens and shoreline plantings.
Read MoreDo it for the kids (Shrink your yard)
The concept of sustainability is rooted in this universal hope we all share that our children and grandchildren will lead lives as good or better than our own.
Read MoreProtecting the St. Croix River
In Washington County, raingardens, shoreline plantings and grassed waterways are spreading like wildflowers. There were nearly 100 clean water projects on private land in the county in 2009, and 130 in 2010.
Read MoreSprings have Sprung
Rocks are weeping along the St. Croix River. If you hike along the river’s edge, you can see clear, cold water trickling down the sides of their walls and burbling to the surface year-round. In seepage swamps, found low at the bases of cliffs, skunk cabbage blooms in late winter, while in the spring, rare…
Read MoreBirds Gone Wild
Because native flowers, shrubs and trees also help to prevent erosion and runoff water pollution, watershed districts in Washington County can provide grants to people for planting or improving bird habitat along lake, stream and wetland edges and for people with cropland or ravines that drain to the St. Croix River and other waterways.
Read MoreHow can I get you in some new landscaping this spring?
Can’t you just see yourself driving away with a new bundle of seedling trees this spring?
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East Metro Water 