Aquatic Plants (Lake Weeds) Provide Important Ecosystem Services
Published by forester on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 09:20Dr. Lorin Hatch provides some good background on aquatic plants, and what shoreline owners can do to protect water quality.
Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates Blog
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Initiative Foundation AIS Innovation Grants - Final Report
Published by forester on Sat, 07/04/2020 - 09:14In 2014, after requests by MN COLA and Minnesota Lakes and Rivers, the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council funded $4.5 million to provide "Innovation Grants." A number of great projects were completed, opening new possibilities in our effort to prevent the spread of AIS, or more effectively treat AIS. Some projects had great promise, but were unable to move forward due to lack of DNR support, proving the old adage, "Nothing changes if nothing changes." And some projects failed, and in that AIS managers still learned a gereat deal. Full report contained below.
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Up The Creek Meats - Farm to table program protects water.
Published by forester on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 08:52Up the Creek Meats is a simple program. We connect lake associations with farmers who protect water: https://www.fishandwatersconservationfund.org/up-the-creek-meats/
By participating in Up the Creek Meats, lake associations are not only taking direct action to improve water quality on the lake they love, helping to build a new local food market that protects the water quality and quality of life in their community, but providing the highest quality meat and vegetables for their members.
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Up the Creek Meats Connects Lake Associations and Farmers to Protect Water
Published by forester on Thu, 05/14/2020 - 05:18MLR has partnered with Happy Dancing Turtle, Pine River Watershed Alliance, the Association of Cass County Lakes and Fish and Waters Conservation Fund to identify farmers in the Pine River Watershed area who have committed to farming practices that protect clean water - Up the Creek Meats. If you are in Cass or Crow Wing Counties, buy your meat directly from one of these farmers. Learn more here: http://www.fishandwatersconservationfund.org/up-the-creek-meats/
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"Stay-At-Home" Order Impacts Lakes
Published by forester on Mon, 03/30/2020 - 11:53Spring is the most exciting season for lake people - ice out. There is no chore I enjoy more than "opening" the cabin.
But on Thursday, March 26th state health commissioner Jan Malcolm urged cabin owners to stay home for the two week shelter in place order that went into effect Friday, March 27th. There are concerns about transporting the Coronavirus to new areas of the state, and rural areas have fewer Intensive Care Unit, ICU beds and life support equipment. In addition, rural residents tend to be older, and so higher risk for complications.
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Soil Health for Clean Water
Published by forester on Thu, 02/06/2020 - 09:59Farmer Jim Chamberlin, with Happy Dancing Turtle, takes a deep dive into regenerative agriculturte and the five soil heralth principles this guest blog, writing, "Done well agriculture heals our land, our water and our communities."
Agricultural runoff can destroy lake and river systems with siltation, and chemical surges causing algae blooms, unnatural growth of aquatic plants, decreased oxygen levels and impacts to drinking water.
But runoff is also bad for farmers. Heavily impacted fields infiltrate less water, requiring more irrigation during dry times and flooding during wetter periods. Unhealthy soils require expensive inputs of tilling, herbicide, fundicide and chemical fertilizers.
A growing number of farmers are practicing regenerative agriculture, with a focus on farming in a way that increases soil health. The costs of inputs falls, yields rise and runoff pollution is greatly reduced. But what is regenerative agriculture, and what are the five soil health principles?
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Fishing License Sales Continue to Plummet - is it due to AIS Impacts?
Published by forester on Tue, 01/28/2020 - 07:28New research from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center has found that zebra mussels decrease the size of walleye 14%, spiny water flea by 12%, and the combination of the two by 25%. Is decrease in fishery health a driver in the tumbling numbers of fishing licenses sold in Minnesota, particularly for non-residents and younger anglers?
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AIS and You - Uniting in Ramsey County to Prevent Spread
Published by forester on Wed, 11/06/2019 - 08:22Thursday, November 21, 2019
6:30-8:30 pm
Marsden Room at RCD, 1425 Paul Kirkwold Ave S, Arden Hills, MNAttend the Aquatic Invasive Species and You public meeting, find out what is being done about aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Ramsey County, the groups that are taking action to protect Ramsey County's lakes, share your ideas and get involved.
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Tax Bill Changes for Lake Shore Property Owners
Published by forester on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 18:52Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates works to protect lake and river heritage for Minnesota families. One significant threat to our ability to pass these heirloom places to the next generation, and for the next generation to afford them, is tax pressure. There are a number of provisions in the Omnibus Tax Bill signed into law of note.
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Passing Lake Conservation Values to the Next Generation
Published by forester on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 18:46People care about things they understand. If we want young people to care about our lakes and rivers then they need a good understanding of them. But youth participation in hunting and angling has fallen off sharply, threatening the future of conservation efforts.