In a native planting or restored prairie, however, gophers should be considered a friend. Yes, the prairie will be bumpy instead of flat, but nature tends to be that way.
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All articles filed in native landscaping
A walk in the woods, a planted seed, new skills to learn
We went to the woods on Sunday afternoon to enjoy fresh air, warm sun reaching through frostbitten air, and no other humans in sight. For the dog, it was just like any other day. She had no idea that the world was turning upside down as she galloped across the blackened prairie, still charred from…
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Nurturing the Wild
Design with Nature Conference: Sat., Feb. 29 in St. Paul “What is that over there?” “It’s the wild,” said the mole. “Don’t fear it.” “Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid.” – Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse A friend gave us a new book for Christmas…
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Give me a home where the butterflies roam
On May 11, 1858, the United States of America welcomed its 32nd state to the union – 18 million acres of prairie, 21 million acres of wetlands, 31.5 million acres of forests, and 11,842 lakes, now lovingly known as Minnesota. Over the years, Minnesota has grown and prospered. Settlers drained wetlands to make way for…
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Calling all Watershed Champions
Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District debuts award program & schedules workshops for the spring Seeking award nominations Do you know someone in the community who has gone out of their way to protect local lakes and waterways? Perhaps it is the neighbor who transformed their yard with native plants and raingardens to reduce…
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Designing with nature, braiding science with beauty
I was asked, “So, why do you want to study botany?” And I answered, “Because goldenrod and asters are so beautiful together, and I want to know why. I want to know why these stand together. Why do they grow together and look so beautiful when they could grow apart?” “That’s not science,” he said.…
Read MoreThe Nature of Change
Wiley Buck, a restoration ecologist with local nonprofit Great River Greening, will talk about local grazing initiatives using sheep, goats and horses to control buckthorn and manage prairies in rural and urban settings.
Read MoreGardening to Meet the Neighbors
Over the course of the next few days while I planted my new flowers and grasses, I met the neighbors down the street and their little white dog, a woman who had once nannied for a family that lived in our house, and a group of groomsmen that were killing time waiting for a wedding to begin.
Read MoreBringing nature to your doorstep
Where was nature during that stretch of my childhood? It was certainly in the mountains, probably out in the country where the grapevines grew, possibly in the orchards and empty lots, but definitely not in our own backyard.
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East Metro Water 