Prairie rising

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.

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Going native? Fall is a great time to plant

You can plant native plants from small packs or pots between September and mid-October or spread seed for bee-lawn and native plantings in early November to mid-December.

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Help create the new Glacial Valley Park in Woodbury-Cottage Grove

South Washington Watershed District’s conservation corridor is the result of two decades of work to create habitat connections and protect land-locked portions of Woodbury and Cottage Grove from flooding.

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Give me a home where the bees and butterflies roam

A native plant revival is underway and Lawns to Legumes grants are here to help.

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Preserving a piece of paradise in the St. Croix Valley

Paul Goodwin and his family have established a 49-acre conservation easement on land abutting Silver Creek near Stillwater, MN and are working to convert 14-acres of fallow farmland to prairie and oak savanna.

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Online classes for gardeners and nature enthusiasts

Explore new interests, build skills, begin planning for a summer landscaping project at your home, or simply enjoy a few hours of escape from the doldrums of winter.

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To Bison or to Monet?

Washington County Parks is haying the prairie at Pine Point Regional Park to imitate natural processes that would occur if the land were being grazed by bison.

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New trails highlight major changes at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

This year, Washington County launched a major transformation at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, aided in part by a grant from the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund. The park has added a new parking lot and entrance off of Inwood Ave., created new trails, and began work to restore 166 acres of prairie and oak savanna. On the east side of the park near the Nordic Center, Washington County added 2.2 miles of new ski trails.

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Boy Scouts and Water Stewards help to create outdoor classrooms in Woodbury

South Washington Watershed District created its Campus Greening program two years ago to encourage schools and other large campuses to think holistically about how they can meet stormwater management requirements when expanding buildings and parking areas. At the Lake and Middleton campus, South Washington County Schools (District 844) worked with SWWD to convert 15 acres of turf to prairie, plant 200 trees, and create the two new outdoor classrooms.

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Transformation underway at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Washington County secured funding through the Outdoor Heritage Fund to restore and improve 166 acres of prairie and oak savanna at Lake Elmo Park Reserve around Eagle Point Lake and in the north end of the park.

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