Beaver Love: A new initiative aims to help beavers and people co-exist in harmony

Last winter, Andy Riesgraf and Emily Fairfax teamed up to establish Beaver Innovations LLC, a UMN start-up company that is focused on finding ways to help beavers and people coexist in harmony.

The duo’s first three beaver co-existence projects are located in Washington County at the Big Marine Park Reserve expansion site and Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, made possible by funding from Pollinator Friendly Alliance’s biodiversity project.

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Good for the goose and gander

Given their current abundance, you might be surprised to learn that Canada geese were a rare novelty in the 1920s. In fact, state and federal agencies actually worked together to breed and re-introduce them to the wild during the 1950s.

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Froggy Figaro

Minnesota is home to 14 species of frogs and toads. During the spring, their chorus rings out as the males search for females and compete to present themselves as the most attractive option with whom to settle down and make a few thousand babies. Because each species has a distinctly different call, you can determine which types of frogs live in your area simply by listening to their symphony.

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Tips for dry feet and healthy wetlands

Though Minnesota might be known as the “Land of 10,000 lakes,” we could just as easily call ourselves the “Land of 1,000,000 wetlands.”

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Chasing rainbows in the shallows

Seeing rainbows in the water at a stream or wetland near you? It could be from pollution, but not always! Learn how to tell the difference between natural sheens and spilled oil.

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Burn Baby, Burn

Prairie, oak savanna, pine barrens, and wet meadows all have something in common – they like to burn, baby burn.
This week’s East Metro Water blog explores the unique habitat found in wet meadows. If you’re interested in learning more about prescribed fire, visit the open house at Lake Elmo Park Reserve on Tuesday, April 2, 4-7pm. Yes! There will be fire!

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Minnesota gains wetlands but not all are created equally

Minnesota gained roughly 43,000 acres of wetlands statewide between 2006 and 2020. Wetland health varies greatly across the state, however, and some types of wetlands are more at risk.

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Sunrise River wetland enhancement promises cleaner water downstream

In addition to reducing downstream flooding, the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District project will also keep 89 pounds per year of phosphorus and 51,000 pounds per year of sediment out of the Sunrise River.

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Planning ahead for a rainy day

Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District launches wetland enhancement project, wins Climate Adaptation award.

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Wetland in your yard?

Wetlands protect nearby homes from flooding and help to reduce shoreline erosion along the edges of rivers and lakes. If you have a wetland on or near your property, however, you may need to make some changes in your landscaping and seasonal yard care. 

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