The Sunrise is a complex river system with multiple branches, tributaries, and pools, each with its own unique personality.
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All articles filed in featured
From watercraft inspections to loosestrife-eating beetles – lake managers discuss strategies for battling aquatic invaders
Many AIS experts note that Minnesota’s county-led programs have “bent the curve” for aquatic invasive species. Prior to 2015, the rate of infestations was growing rapidly, with as many as 170 new lakes being impacted every year. After counties rolled out their prevention efforts, that rate began to fall and we are now seeing closer to 40 new infestations each year.
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Finding giant puffballs, swimming swans, and fall colors in Washington County’s “Legacy Lands”
Since 2006, Washington County’s Land and Water Legacy Program has helped to protect 1900 acres of land, including 328 acres at Big Marine Regional Park, 102 acres at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, and smaller additions at Cottage Grove Ravine, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, and Pine Point Regional Parks.
County funds also helped to establish Lumberjack Landing in Stillwater and Bayport Park, both of which are located on the St. Croix River, Oxbow Trails along Valley Creek in Afton (Belwin Conservancy), and Mississippi Dunes Park on the Mississippi River in Cottage Grove.
In Woodbury, the county’s Land and Water Legacy program even played a role in restoring La Lake to good health.
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Twenty years of partnership for clean water
In the recipe for lake and stream restoration success, community engagement is an often overlooked but essential ingredient. Though the projects implemented vary from one location to another, it is almost always true that lakes and streams get better when people in the community care, show up at public meetings, volunteer, participate, and support local government and nonprofits in doing clean water work.
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Keeping the water safe to drink
You turn on the sink, and fill a glass to drink. Where does the water come from? The ocean? The Mississippi River? Maybe a nearby lake?
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Caddisfly prints and bird costumes bring creativity to annual Brown’s Creek event
When Brown’s Creek Watershed District hosts its annual Community Watershed Celebration & Bird Festival this Saturday (10am-1pm at Brown’s Creek Park in Stillwater), visitors will have the opportunity to take home something unique that they may not be expecting – their very own handmade caddisfly print.
If you really, really love birds, you can even dress up as your favorite bird and enter the second annual Bird Costume Contest. Costumes of all skill levels are welcome, from simple DIY outfits to elaborate feathered creations.
In addition to bug prints and bird costumes, the festival will include interactive stations led by local conservation groups, crafts, games, and interactive experiences designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. The event is free and easy to get to by bike, on foot, or by car.
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Meet our 2026 Natural Shoreline Award winners!
We are excited to announce the winners of our 2026 Natural Shoreline Awards, sponsored by the East Metro Water Resource Education Program and Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership. These awards recognize Minnesotans who are protecting lake, stream, and wetland habitat in Chisago, Isanti, Ramsey and Washington Counties.
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Ode to oaks
Oak trees are a powerful keystone species that can live for centuries, produce millions of acorns, and support more wildlife than any other tree genus in North America.
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Big waves, big problems?
Wake-surfing and wakeboarding have grown in popularity in recent years, leading many people to worry about the possible impacts to Minnesota lakes.
Lake associations and communities in Minnesota are considering a variety of approaches, including education and outreach, community engagement, monitoring, voluntary guidelines, and local policy.
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It takes a village – planting and tending to raingardens in Washington County
Since 2006, community residents and local government partners have completed nearly 6000 conservation planting projects in Washington County to protect our lakes, rivers, and streams. More than 1600 of these are raingardens, designed to catch nutrient-rich runoff from rooftops, driveways, and streets and soak the water into the ground before it reaches a storm sewer or nearby waterway. Raingardens beautify our local communities and provide habitat for pollinators, but do require specialized knowledge to design, construct, and maintain them for long-term success.
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