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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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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Interpreting the past and future through feathers, fur and bones

Researchers at the Bell Museum study the ways animals adapt to environmental changes, the spread of zoonotic diseases, impacts of pollution, and declining species.

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Likely Stories: A Photographic Journey through Climate Adaptations in the St. Croix Watershed

“Likely Stories,” the project that emerged, can best be described as a photographic journey through climate adaptations in the St. Croix Watershed. As part of this project, the artists seek to document the local impacts of climate change, such as black ash swamps, decimated by Emerald ash borer, tamarack “ghost forests,” algae blooms on the river and inland lakes, and future changes at the Allen S. King power plant. Equally important, they also hope to showcase examples of individuals, communities and organizations that are taking action to build climate resiliency.

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Will derby ducks sail on a cleaner creek in 2025?

The City recently restored a 300ft stretch of degraded stream along 3rd Ave. N near Perro Park, in partnership with Middle St Croix Watershed Management Organization (MSCWMO) and the Washington Conservation District. The goal of the project is to stabilize the streambank, reduce the amount of sediment and phosphorus flowing downstream to the St. Croix River, and improve habitat along Perro Creek. 

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

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.

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Share your wildlife stories and photos

Are you seeing more wildlife in your backyard or neighborhood? Do you have a funny animal story to share? Got a great fish tale? Submit them online at tinyurl.com/wildlifestories to have them included in the WCD’s story map.

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Meet the rare plants and animals of Washington County

Minnesota is home to 2000 known native wildlife species, 346 of which are identified as Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN).

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Strange facts about two of Minnesota’s favorite comeback animals

Deer and turkeys are two of the most common charismatic megafauna that we see in the east metro and lower St. Croix Valley, but that wasn’t always the case.

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Create pockets of habitat with native plants

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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