featured – East Metro Water

Native Gardens for Sun and Shade

By: angiehongmn May 18, 2023May 16, 2023

Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, gardens, native plants, pollinatorsLeave a Comment

This week, I’m sharing two of my favorite “recipes” for gardens that are sure to attract butterflies and bees.

Feeling Loony in Forest Lake

By: angiehongmn May 15, 2023May 4, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Uncategorized, Wildlifealum treatment, birds, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, featured, Forest Lake, lakes, loons, MinnesotaLeave a Comment

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.

Be AIS smart this fishing season

By: angiehongmn May 12, 2023May 11, 2023

Aquatic Biology, WildlifeAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, featured, fishing, lakesLeave a Comment

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.

Anti Being “Anti No Mow May”

By: angiehongmn May 9, 2023

Yards and Landscapingbee lawns, featured, gardening, lawns, native plants, No Mow May5 Comments

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.

A modern day Lorax or two

By: angiehongmn May 5, 2023May 4, 2023

Local Achievementscommunity forestry, featured, gravel bed tree nursery, trees, volunteeringLeave a Comment

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

Prairie rising

By: angiehongmn April 28, 2023May 1, 2023

Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, native plants, prairie, volunteeringLeave a Comment

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.

Meet the rare plants and animals of Washington County

By: angiehongmn April 21, 2023April 21, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Wildlifeendangered species, featured, Minnesota, Wildlife1 Comment

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

The world comes back to life

By: angiehongmn April 13, 2023April 12, 2023

Yards and Landscapingfeatured, spring yard careLeave a Comment

As you cast an appraising eye toward your yard, here is some advice on which chores to tackle now, and which to delay for later.

A healthy shore is a happy lake

By: angiehongmn April 6, 2023April 5, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Yards and LandscapingChisago SWCD, featured, lakes, lakeshore, Minnesota lakes, native plants, shorelineLeave a Comment

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

Bee Lawns and Slow Mow Summer

By: angiehongmn March 30, 2023March 30, 2023

Yards and Landscapingbee lawn, bees, featured, lawns, No Mow May, pollinators1 Comment

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.