Feeling Loony in Forest Lake

At the Forest Lake Lake Association (FLLA) meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 6:30-8pm, Rob Rabasco, coordinator of Minnesota’s Loon Restoration Project, will talk about efforts underway to protect loon habitat across the state, augment natural loon nesting with artificial nesting platforms in targeted locations, implement loon-friendly lake management plans, and increase survival rates for loon chicks. Robasco is one of three invited speakers for the event.

Read More

Be AIS smart this fishing season

Currently, only 8% of the lakes in Minnesota have invasive species present and we need everyone’s help to keep it that way.

If you use waders or hip boots when fishing, be sure to clean off any visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud when you’re done and use a stiff brush to scrub the bottom of your boots where mud gets stuck in the treads. Using non-felt soled boots will further reduce the risk of spreading AIS.

It is also important to dispose of unwanted bait, worms, and fish parts in the trash instead of throwing them in the water or on the shore.

Read More

Anti Being “Anti No Mow May”

There seems to be an “anti” No Mow May movement underway and I fear we are missing a golden opportunity to ride the wave of public enthusiasm and begin breaking the green grass chains that bind.

Read More

A modern day Lorax or two

Volunteer Water Stewards John Goodfellow, Tom Furey, and Anna Barker helped to build gravel bed nurseries in their communities to support reforestation efforts.

Read More

Prairie rising

Cheer for bison returning to the prairie at Belwin Conservancy and Spring Lake Park, volunteer for one of three native planting projects in May, or enjoy an “Evening in the Prairie” to learn more about this special ecosystem.

Read More

Meet the rare plants and animals of Washington County

Minnesota is home to 2000 known native wildlife species, 346 of which are identified as Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN).

Read More

A healthy shore is a happy lake

Shoreline landscaping workshops: April 18 and May 8

In the Land of 10,000 lakes, more and more lakeshore landowners are turning toward natural solutions that combine bio-engineering with deep-rooted, native plants to stabilize the land along the water’s edge while also maintaining connected corridors of habitat for beneficial insects, fish, birds, frogs, turtles, and other kinds of wildlife

Read More

Bee Lawns and Slow Mow Summer

A movement is underway to transform our residential landscapes into something that is a little softer, a little wilder, and much better able to support wildlife and clean water.

Read More