Planting for Pollinators Webinar
Apr
3
6:00 PM18:00

Planting for Pollinators Webinar

Bring on the butterflies! Your yard can help to support songbirds, pollinators, and wildlife - AND look beautiful! During this workshop we'll talk about what to plant, how to get started, where to buy native plants in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, and where to find additional support for planting projects. Learn about native gardens, bee lawns, flowering trees and shrubs, and prairies.

Whether you have a small urban lot or a large farm in the country, you can help to create pockets of habitat and connected corridors for pollinators and other wildlife in our community.

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Native Plants for Wetlands and Shorelines
Apr
14
6:30 PM18:30

Native Plants for Wetlands and Shorelines

Do you have a ditch, shoreline, or wetland on your property you want to spruce up beyond cattails and swamp grass? Do you have an area of yard where the grass just won’t grow because it is wet most of the time? There are lots of varieties of natives and non-native perennials that can be used to add color, texture, and eye-appeal that don’t mind having wet toes. Let’s figure out how to add an aesthetic splash into that soggy site. Participants will receive a native plant book, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

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Planting for Clean Water - Wonderful Wetlands
Apr
15
6:30 PM18:30

Planting for Clean Water - Wonderful Wetlands

  • Mahtomedi District Education Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Do you live on or near a marsh or wetland?

Learn about the unique plants and animals that are found in wetlands, what makes wetlands special, invasive species, and rules that affect what landowners can and can’t do with wetlands on their properties.

Get advice on how to enhance your wetland yard with native plants and other landscaping features that add beauty, provide habitat, and help to protect water quality.

This event is hosted by the Mahtomedi Garden Club. Angie Hong, coordinator for Minnesota’s East Metro Water Resource Education Program, will present.

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Native Plants for Hills and Slopes
Mar
24
6:30 PM18:30

Native Plants for Hills and Slopes

Are you struggling to establish plants and vegetation on a hill or slope? Are you fighting with erosion and washouts every time we get a big rain event? There are lots of varieties of native plants that will put down roots quickly and will hold their ground…and your ground. When it comes to native plants, it is all about the roots! Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

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Chisago County Master Gardner Garden Expo
Mar
22
9:00 AM09:00

Chisago County Master Gardner Garden Expo

A one-day learning opportunity that mixes classroom learning with local gardening and environmental related vendors. Presented by the Chisago County Master Gardeners (CCMG) an outreach program of the U of MN Extension, in partnership with the Chisago Soil & Water Conservation District and Chisago Lakes Community Education.

This year’s expo boasts several water-smart sessions, including Shoreline Planting for Water Quality, Water Wisely, and Landscaping Septic Systems.

Please register online ahead of the event. Cost is free to visit vendor booths, $15 to attend classes and keynote address, and $10 for lunch.

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Shoreline Contractor Training
Mar
19
9:00 AM09:00

Shoreline Contractor Training

During this free, informative workshop, you’ll learn about state and local rules that apply to shoreline and wetland projects, as well as cost-share grants and technical assistance available to help landowners complete native planting and bioengineering projects. This year’s workshop will focus on how to repair ice heaves.

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Planting for Pollinators Webinar
Mar
11
6:00 PM18:00

Planting for Pollinators Webinar

Bring on the butterflies! Your yard can help to support songbirds, pollinators, and wildlife - AND look beautiful! During this workshop we'll talk about what to plant, how to get started, where to buy native plants in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, and where to find additional support for planting projects. Learn about native gardens, bee lawns, flowering trees and shrubs, and prairies.

Whether you have a small urban lot or a large farm in the country, you can help to create pockets of habitat and connected corridors for pollinators and other wildlife in our community.

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East Central Minnesota Corn and Soybean Conference
Mar
11
8:00 AM08:00

East Central Minnesota Corn and Soybean Conference

The University of Minnesota Extension invites all corn and soybean producers, agronomists, and other agricultural professionals in the East Central Minnesota region to the Corn and Soybean Conference on March 11th at the Pine County Courthouse.

Extension educators will speak on crop finance and economics, weed management and herbicide use, rye cover cropping systems, corn tar spot and other notable diseases, and crop production. In addition, Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture Commissioner, Thom Peterson, will be in attendance to provide state updates. Other agricultural entities will have tables at the event, in which attendees will have the opportunity to visit throughout the morning.

Please register online ahead of the event. A registration fee of $15 will be collected at the door - cash or check only. Breakfast is included.

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Shoreline Restoration and Maintenance
Mar
6
6:30 PM18:30

Shoreline Restoration and Maintenance

Are you losing ground? Is your shoreline eroding, unsightly or seem to be a goose magnet? Did the excessive rains last year take a toll? Is the ice pushing up a new ridge every year? Learn how to improve water quality, reduce erosion and beautify your property using native plants, simple installation techniques and smart planning for easier long-term maintenance. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

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The Water Where We Live - Reception
Mar
6
4:00 PM16:00

The Water Where We Live - Reception

  • A House Unbuilt’s Art & Water Space (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

A House Unbuilt’s Art & Water Space in Downtown Stillwater is collaborating with the Brown’s Creek Watershed District to provide a unique exhibition opportunity to area artists.

An Opening Reception showcasing the artworks will be held on March 6, 2025, 4-7pm. Angie Hong will be a guest speaker at the event, speaking about her new book on the St. Croix River Valley.

The exhibit space is open Jan. 24 - April 18, Mon - Fri., 10am - 3pm or by appointment.

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Smart Salt Level 1 Certification Workshop
Oct
23
8:30 AM08:30

Smart Salt Level 1 Certification Workshop

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.

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St. Croix Workshop on Water...on the Land!
Sep
30
6:00 PM18:00

St. Croix Workshop on Water...on the Land!

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.

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Buzzin’ Backyards: The Art of Bringing Nature to Your Door
Aug
17
12:00 PM12:00

Buzzin’ Backyards: The Art of Bringing Nature to Your Door

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.

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Author Walk & Talk with Angie Hong
Aug
4
1:00 PM13:00

Author Walk & Talk with Angie Hong

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

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Washington County Fair
Jul
31
to Aug 4

Washington County Fair

  • Washington County Fairground (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Meet us at the Washington County Fair! We’ll be in Building A, across from the milk shake booth.

Stop by to play with our new interactive stormwater model and get information about free site visits, native plants, workshops, grants, invasive species, and more.

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16th Annual St. Croix River Workshop on the Water
Jun
24
5:00 PM17:00

16th Annual St. Croix River Workshop on the Water

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.

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HOA Mini Conference: Cost Savings & Stormwater Management
May
31
10:30 AM10:30

HOA Mini Conference: Cost Savings & Stormwater Management

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.

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