Subtle signs of a changing climate

Bluegreen algae blooms have become more prevalent in urban lakes, as well as in pristine northern lakes including Lake Itasca, the Boundary Waters, and Quetico Wilderness Area.

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In Woodbury, a stormwater park takes shape

Construction is underway at Hasenbank Park in Woodbury, where the South Washington Watershed District and City of Woodbury are combining nature, art, and human engineering to build a one-of-a-kind “Stormwater Park.” The goal is to protect Powers Lake from runoff pollution, while also creating a community gathering space with walking trails, public art, and beautifully restored native habitat.

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The Watershed Administrator Who Wouldn’t Wear a Tie

At this year’s Minnesota Watersheds annual conference, Matt Moore was recognized with an Outstanding Watershed Administrator award and the Trout Brook Restoration was selected as Minnesota Watershed Project of the Year. South Washington Watershed District also received recognition for 30 years of programming. When receiving the awards, Moore didn’t give a flowery speech and he definitely didn’t wear a tie.

Read on to learn more about the man who’s led South Washington Watershed District through 25 years of flood resiliency and water quality achievements.

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Bringing public art into stormwater management

A growing number of watershed management organizations are recognizing the value of public art to beautify otherwise boring stormwater management projects, illustrate connections between built and natural environments, and explain technical processes in new and creative ways.

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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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Rich Fen, Poor Bog

Bogs are acidic and nutrient-poor for plant growth. Fens are rich in nutrients and are alkaline. The Tamarack Nature Preserve is unique because it has characteristics of both.

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Heat Wave Spurs Harmful Algal Blooms in Some Minnesota Lakes

Usually, algae and aquatic plants are merely a nuisance, but sometimes a form of cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae can bloom and release toxins that make humans and animals sick.

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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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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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Tamarack Nature Preserve Park & Boardwalk Reopening Celebration

Smack dab in the middle of bustling, suburban Woodbury, the Tamarack Nature Preserve is a hidden gem containing the southern-most tamarack swamp in Minnesota. A community event Oct. 16-18 will include a virtual tour and water pollution mystery game.

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