Minnesotans can help to restore habitat for wildlife by planting native flowers, shrubs and trees in our yards to create pocket oases and connected corridors near larger parks and natural areas.
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All articles filed in native plants
Let the gardening begin!
Thanks to a relatively early start to spring this year, many people are already beginning to dream about gardens and planting projects. Here is a run-down of upcoming workshops and other support for eco-friendly gardening projects.
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A flower’s fleeting charm
Of all the flowers that exist, spring ephemerals are the ones that I hold dearest in my heart.
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Two miles, three raingardens, and 100 feet of native buffer: Charting Perro Creek’s journey to cleaner water and better health
Local partners including City of Bayport, the Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization (MSCWMO), and even area Girl Scouts have worked to reduce erosion and improve water quality in Perro Creek through a series of projects including raingardens and native buffer plantings.
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Cleaner water ahead at Carver Lake Park in Woodbury
This summer, visitors to Carver Lake Park will discover a newly renovated parking lot, complete with a 5220 sq ft raingarden and 8000 sq ft of native plantings designed to filter and treat polluted runoff, as well as create habitat for birds and pollinators. The raingarden will capture 0.7lb of phosphorus, which is enough to prevent 350 pounds of algae from growing in the lake.
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A crack in the rock & a beach in the forest
Crystal Spring Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) in Scandia was established just four years ago. It contains a crystalline spring that pours out of the side of a rock wall, deep in an emerald chasm.
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Friends of Sunfish Lake Park lands $139,000 grant to manage buckthorn
This summer, Friends of Sunfish Lake Park secured a $139,000 grant from the Minnesota Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program to remove buckthorn and restore native plants in 40 acres of the park. The City of Lake Elmo will contribute $10,000 to the project and volunteers will provide at least 300 hours of in-kind support as well.
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The hills [will soon be] alive with the sound of music
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…
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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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Marine residents rally to restore neighborhood stream
It was the weekend after 4th of July and five neighbors in Marine on St. Croix were ready to work. Armed with 1500 native plants, 2000 popsicle sticks, and a cheerful group of friends, family and children, the group tromped into the soggy wild behind their homes and began working to restore a small stream…
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