Habitat – East Metro Water

New grant funds will help to improve habitat connectivity in Washington County

By: angiehongmn September 27, 2024

Partners and Updates, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, Habitat, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, native plants, pollinators, WildlifeLeave a Comment

In the coming year, Washington Conservation District (WCD) will receive $185,000 in funding through the Pollinator Pathways program and $246,000 through the Habitat Enhancement Landscape Program (HELP) to restore and improve wildlife and pollinator habitat in more than a dozen priority locations.

A Modern Day Tale of Tortoise and Hare

By: angiehongmn May 29, 2020May 26, 2020

WildlifeBig Marine Park Reserve, biking, Blanding's turtle, featured, Habitat, turtle crossing, turtles, wildlife habitatLeave a Comment

As I rounded the corner, I hit the gas and pedaled harder knowing the other bike was probably close behind. Perhaps he’d seen pigtails sticking out from beneath my helmet and thought it would be easy to catch a girl. Little did he know that I am quick like a rabbit.

The hills [will soon be] alive with the sound of music

By: angiehongmn February 27, 2020

Keeping water clean, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingbirds, featured, gardening, Habitat, landscaping, native plants, planting for clean water, pollinatorsLeave a Comment

It is never a secret when my son and I go for a walk. You can hear us coming from at least a block away. I’m usually singing because I consider myself to be either Julie Andrews or June Carter, depending on the day. Charlie is tripping along behind me in oversized boots replacing all…

Scientific and Natural Areas protect Minnesota’s natural heritage

By: angiehongmn December 12, 2019December 12, 2019

Outdoor Adventuresfeatured, Habitat, land conservation, Scientific and Natural AreasLeave a Comment

A grasshopper perches on a tattered black-eyed susan. Two red and black striped beetles dance a tango atop a lilac spray of vervain. Gentle summer breezes carry the sound of laughter as an impish four-year old boy balances carefully on a time-weathered rock. Around him, the swaying grasses, muted prairie colors, and tumbled down, lichen-covered…

Within Warner Nature Center, pristine lakes and wildlife corridors

By: angiehongmn September 20, 2019September 20, 2019

Outdoor Adventures, Partners and Updates, Wildlifeenvironmental education, featured, Habitat, land protection, Warner Nature Center, WildlifeLeave a Comment

“Dear Loyal Supporters, I’m writing to inform you that the Warner Nature Center will be closing and winding down operations by the end of the year.” With those words, Alison Rempel Brown, President and CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota, broke the news to staff and volunteers that a 52-year tradition will be coming…

Listening for the trees

By: angiehongmn January 3, 2019January 3, 2019

Partners and Updates, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, Habitat, tree sale, trees, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

They say that trees can speak to each other in a language we humans are too busy to hear and too self-absorbed to understand. Peter Wohlleben, a German forester who wrote the now famous book, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate, has learned that trees in a forest actually live…

Keeping the fish happy in 10,000 lakes

By: angiehongmn May 30, 2018

Keeping water clean, Wildlifefishing, Habitat, Minnesota lakesLeave a Comment

“What percentage of walleyes caught in Minnesota are born wild?” asks DNR Fisheries Chief Don Pereira, as he looks around a room filled with lake association members from Chisago and Washington Counties. A few folks call out numbers – 10%? Maybe 20%? “People talk a lot about fish stocking,” Pereira continues, “but 85% of the…

Grants and workshops to help landowners create and improve woodland habitat

By: angiehongmn May 10, 2018May 7, 2018

Buckthorn, Yards and Landscapingbuckthorn, Habitat, oriental bittersweet, trees, Washington County, woodlandsLeave a Comment

In addition to its annual tree sale, the Washington Conservation District offers advice and assistance to landowners hoping to create and improve woodland habitat on their properties.

Land Cover and Pollinators? There’s a Map for That.

By: angiehongmn February 18, 2018December 2, 2022

UncategorizedHabitat, maps, Minnesota, MLCCS, pollinators, Washington Conservation District, Washington County1 Comment

These records are computerized for easy use, unlike the handwritten notes from Minnesota’s first land surveys, which are stored on yellowed paper at the Historical Society.