This FREE class introduces best practices for plowing, de-icing and anti-icing application, storage, and more. Learn how to integrate science with practical strategies to save money and minimize your impact on the environment. Participants earn a five-year Level 1 (individual) certification from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Learn strategies for protecting lakes, rivers, and wildlife habitat in small communities and rural areas of the Lower St. Croix Watershed. During this workshop, local leaders will learn about tools available to help small communities guide where and how development happens, as well as strategies for promoting conservation in rural and agricultural areas.

Learn more and register at https://tinyurl.com/stcroixwowland.

Join us for this FREE, fun, family friendly nature event hosted by the Brown’s Creek Watershed District and Sustainable Stillwater MN.

This event will showcase the NRCS rainfall simulator.  Representatives from the Horse Creek Farmer-led Watershed Council in Wisconsin will also talk about how they collect data to compare different field management options, as well as their success in building a strong farmer-led group. 

August 23: Jon Stevens Field Day – Jon Stevens hosts an annual field day at his Maple Grove Farm, usually 9 am through lunch.  For more information, contact Jason Rehn (Jason.rehn@usda.gov).

Join Brown’s Creek Watershed District to learn about the restoration work being completed along Brown's Creek at Brown's Creek Park in Stillwater.

Buzzing for information on everything pollinators? Join us for the Buzzin’ Backyards native plant and pollinator festival. This FREE event runs 12-4 PM and will feature local organizations, speakers, and activities for all ages highlighting our native plant and pollinator communities.

At the Carpenter Nature Center Wisconsin Campus.

August 9 from 4:30 – 7 pm: Pine SWCD Conservation Cookout at Jack Frechette’s Farm 19695 Elder Dr. Hinckley, MN. Topics will include rotational grazing with a pasture walk, soil health test demos, and looking at a wetland project.  For more information, contact Heather Donoho (heather.donoho@co.pine.mn.us).

Join local authors Angie Hong and Tom Anderson for a Book Reading and Q & A at North Branch Area Library. This will be the final event for the We Are Water MN exhibit in Chisago County, which will close on Aug. 12.

Join the Washington Water Consortium for a driving tour by bus to visit three innovative examples of conservation development and permanent land protection in Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, and May Township.

Learn more and register at https://tinyurl.com/stcroixconservtour.

Isanti SWCD Soil Health Field Day at Braun’s Market (10 1st St, Pease MN): This is hosted by the Rum River Watershed Partnership. For more information, contact Lydia Godfrey at lgodfrey@isantiswcd.org.

Join Angie and Franconia staff for a walk along Franconia's 43 acres of trails, to learn about the sculptures in the park and the growing movement to restore native landscapes. Stick around for an author talk and book signing behind the Franconia Commons building.

Angie has been a nature educator at Washington Conservation District since 2006 and is author of Exploring the St. Croix River Valley: Adventures on and off the Water. 

Visit spectacular gardens designed, created and maintained by volunteers with the Washington County Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Volunteers will be stationed at each garden to answer your questions.

Join Brown’s Creek Watershed District to learn about turf alternatives such as low mow lawns and other native plantings that benefit our local pollinators! This is an outdoor event, hosted by BCWD Board President, Klay Eckles as he opens his yard to show what he has learned.

Join us aboard St. Croix River Cruises’ Grand Duchess on Monday, June 24 for our 16th Annual St. Croix River Workshop on the Water (WOW). This event is specifically designed for local leaders such as city councils, planning commissions, township boards, county commissioners, SWCD boards, and watershed boards.

This year’s workshop will focus on actions local communities can take to protect their shorelines, strategies for dealing with sticky issues and variance requests, and Better Site Design for development and redevelopment projects. 

 Your ticket includes dinner and a cash bar. $30 per person. Register today.

FREE well water screening clinic – Friday - June 14 (1-6pm) at the Nessel Town Hall in Chisago County. Bring a sample of water from your home to be tested for nitrate and chloride. This clinic is free and open to everyone, regardless of what city, county or state you live in.

Market: Purchase MN native plants from multiple growers. No systemic insecticides.

Expo: Learn to select and grow native plants for pollinators, wildlife, and water quality. Visit with educators and experts from conservation and environmental organizations. Get your landscaping questions answered.

Join the East Metro Water Resource Education Partnership (EMWREP) and local experts to learn how to help your HOA both save money and protect local water resources through environmentally-friendly practices.

Access brand-new educational resources for HOAs, learn about topics like stormwater ponds, managing native plants, and budgeting for maintenance, and network with other local HOA leaders to share experiences and resources. A light lunch will be provided.

Join Belwin Conservancy, Washington Conservation District, Minnesota DNR, and Washington County Master Gardeners for a walk in the woods during this fun, interactive workshop about caring for trees and woodlands. 

FREE well water screening clinic – Tuesday, May 21 (1-6pm) at the Hardwood Creek Library in Forest Lake. Bring a sample of water from your home to be tested for nitrate and chloride. This clinic is free and open to everyone, regardless of what city, county or state you live in.

Shop for a wide array of annuals and perennials, native and prairie plants, monarch and pollinator plants, grasses, shade plants, heirloom tomatoes, herbs and vegetables on May 18 at the Washington County Fairground.

This beloved annual event features the release of the 2024 Northstar Bison herd onto Belwin’s Bison Prairie. In addition to the release, visitors can also enjoy fun activities for all ages, such as live music, eco-arts, and food trucks. Washington Conservation District will host an activity table with info about native plantings.

This class covers fundamental concepts and principles related to the design and planning of home landscapes.  The focus is on creating sustainable yet aesthetically pleasing and functional outdoor spaces.

Join Washington Conservation District and Sustainable Stillwater’s Adopt-A-Raingarden program to help cleanup raingardens in Stillwater.

Why do fish chase after one lure but ignore the next one? Do they see every color, certain colors, or none at all? We will be talking about and looking at a wide variety of gadgets and lures, as well as giving you a chance to make your own to take home and try out. All the supplies and materials are provided, just bring your creativity.

This is a Family Fun Night, hosted by Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District.

Buying Lakeshore Property 101 is a great free virtual workshop for anyone looking to buy a cabin, lake property, or even new lake residents.

Pollinators are in big trouble - let's lend a helping hand. On May 4th, we will planting a pollinator sanctuary along Eagle Point Lake trail with over 1,000 native plants and interseed the prairie near the old barn. Learn about pollinators and pollinator habitat during mini demo talks, and in our usual Pollinator-friendly approach - we make it fun and there will be snacks and give-aways.

Monarchs are beautiful and truly amazing.  Learn why milkweed and nectar plants are essential to their lifecycle and explore their migration journey.  You will also learn about the threats and challenges that monarchs face in their migration and survival, and what you can do to help them.  This class is suitable for anyone who loves nature and wants to make a positive impact on the environment.

Mark your calendars for a day of nature walks, speakers, live music and service projects. The 2024 EarthFest theme is "Why do we care about prairies?" and will highlight the almost 500 acres of restored prairie at Wild River State Park.