Wave and ice action, boating activity, fluctuating water levels, sandy soil, and the removal of native shoreline vegetation are all common culprits of erosion on Anoka County's lakeshores. When mowing to the water's edge and clearing emergent vegetation drive erosion, restoring the native shoreline plant community alone can stabilize the lakeshore. Sometimes additional stabilization materials may be warranted. However, a wall of rock riprap is almost never needed to stabilize lakeshores. Too much rock creates a sterile environment in this ecologically vital transition zone between land and water. We achieve the best of both worlds by combining moderate rock with robust native vegetation.

The "Ziegler" oxbow near the City of Princeton has historically been separated from the river via an artificial berm. This berm prevented the river from flooding into the surrounding farm field during spring high water. For decades, the berm improved farm access for planting, but it kept the oxbow dry except during the most severe flood events. The landowner placed the field under a conservation easement and plans to restore it to prairie and woods.

We have partnered with Isanti SWCD, USFWS, and The Nature Conservancy to create a project that will improve connectivity between the Rum River and its floodplain, enhancing over 7 acres of wetland habitat. Construction was completed in mid-September. Now we eagerly hope for high (enough) river levels this coming spring! For more information contact Jared Wagner, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Recently, thousands of fish have died in Mille Lacs Lake near Brainerd, MN. It's normal for some fish to die every year, but this year's record-breaking heat, 9 consecutive days of >90° temps, and the 5/6^th warmest July on record have increased stress on fish populations.

As lake temperatures rise, dissolved oxygen levels drop because warmer water holds less oxygen. "Surface temperatures have been approaching 80° in some cases," said Greg Berg, area fisheries supervisor for the MN DNR. "When we get those types of conditions, we tend to see some of the ciscos dying off out there. It's pretty common." 

When you invest in your property, you usually expect one specific result. If you fix a roof, you get a dry house. But what if a property upgrade could do three or four things at once?

Soil and water conservation districts like ACD have the pleasure of working with private landowners on voluntary projects that benefit natural resources – often for one primary purpose while unlocking multiple secondary benefits. 

A few examples illustrate how one project can do more:

• Water quality + wildlife. One project we did in 2026 was a wetland restoration along a county ditch, designed to capture nutrients before they reached downstream lakes. Sounds like an industrial function. We included shallow water areas and wet prairie seed. Swans, eagles, otters, songbirds, and more have taken up residence.
• Stormwater treatment + pollinators. Rain gardens capture water from street curbside gutters and filter it into the ground. They are especially used where that water would otherwise reach a lake or river untreated. We plant a variety of flowering native plants. The rain gardens hum with bees and are adorned with butterflies.
• Lakeshore + fisheries. Lakeshore restorations stabilize eroding shorelines and restore natural plant cover and habitat. While rock is a common approach to shoreline protection, we use it only where needed most and emphasize habitat-providing plants. Aquatic plants, such as bulrush (pencil reed), are part of the mix. Game fish frequent these shores for cover and insect food.
• Tree planting + clean water. We annually sell thousands of trees to private landowners. By mixing complementary species, landowners create diverse forests that naturally filter rainwater and protect local waterways.

How do we make conservation projects worth more? By designing them to do more. Yes, our funding sources often focus on just one thing. But we don't have to do just that. ACD strives to produce projects that benefit wildlife, fisheries, water quality, pollinators, and look beautiful too.

At any given time, we focus on specific areas or project types. These priorities have supporting funding to install projects, reducing financial barriers for landowners. Current focuses include wetland restoration in the Rum River watershed and agricultural practices like cover crops.

Ready to maximize your property's potential? Call the Anoka Conservation District at 763-434-2030 to get started on your project design.

The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) is a biodiversity hotspot and home to at least 59 species of rare vascular plants in Minnesota. Nearly 20% of the state-listed species occur within the ASP, even though it covers only 2.2% of Minnesota's land area. The ASP is also situated close to a metropolitan center and under continual development pressure, where development plans can impact rare plants. Fortunately, protected lands in the ASP contain high-quality, diverse habitats. These habitats provide an opportunity to study, conserve, protect, and reintroduce ASP rare plant species.

The University of Minnesota Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (CCESR) comprises 5,400 acres of protected area located within the ASP. It sits at the boundary of conifer forest, tall-grass prairie, and eastern broadleaf forest and contains a mosaic of plant communities including sedge meadow, wet prairie, rich fen, oak savanna, and fire-dependent forest. This assemblage of communities creates habitat for many rare plant species found in the ASP. There are currently 44 records of 19 rare plants from CCESR in the Natural Heritage Information System (NHIS). However, many of these records and survey dates are several decades old and the current status of these plant occurrences is unclear.

Restoration Ecologist Carrie Taylor from Anoka Conservation District, CCESR interns, and local volunteers are following MN PlantWatch methods to survey and record rare plant observations within Cedar Creek. They started surveys in the spring looking for lance-leaf violet (Viola lanceolata) and have since also looked for beach heather (Hudsonia tomentosa), black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata) and seaside three-awn grass (Aristida tuberculosa). Surveys reviewed existing NHIS data, surveyed locations highlighted by MN DNR species-specific habitat models, and documented areas where plants were recently observed but not in the database. Survey results will provide more detailed, current data for DNR's NHIS. The team also documents notes on the plant community and management needs. If a location is suitable as a recipient site for rescued rare plants, then it is also recorded.

Cedar Creek has practiced and researched prescribed burning since the 1960s and has been part of the National Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research network since 1982. Thus, CCESR has a long history of vegetation data and areas of active management and areas with no management. Survey results, including the absence of rare plants where they once existed, will be correlated with management history within the Reserve. Mapping current rare plant observations, management history (including fire frequency), native plant communities, current invasive species and other threats, and soil types together will help improve understanding of ASP rare plant species' distribution and the impacts of management on these species. The information learned from these surveys will inform future management decisions to help these rare plant populations persist. Additionally, when development threatens rare plant populations within the ASP, there may be opportunities to salvage plants and relocate them to suitable habitats. These surveys will provide more information on appropriate habitats for plant relocations, allowing salvaged plants to thrive. Rare plants are an indicator of the overall ecological health of the habitat; managing for greater diversity of native plants can support more birds, insects and other wildlife species.

Contact Carrie Taylor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to volunteer to survey rare plants at CCESR in 2027, rescue rare plants from development sites, and/or monitor plants after they are transplanted into protected sites. 

Many opportunities exist to enhance wetlands in Anoka County. Practices include re-wetting peatland soils, plugging drainage ditches, and reconnecting floodplain wetlands to streams. If you own land with rich peat soils and drainage ditches, or own floodplain along one of Anoka County's streams, we would love to connect with you about wetland enhancement on your property! 

For more information contact Jared Wagner, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Here is a quick recap of our upcoming events:

While summer continues to blaze on, it's time to look ahead to our fall volunteer opportunities. All events are free, but registration is required to ensure we have enough supplies for everyone. Sign up for an event on our Eventbrite page, also linked on the "Volunteer with ACD" page of our website.
If you have trouble signing up for events or have questions, please contact Lauren Schmelzer, Outreach and Natural Resource Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Prolonged hot weather with little nighttime cooling raised water temperatures to levels that caused fish kills this past July, affecting fish in Anoka County and throughout the state. We've heard reports of fish kills from several local lakes, including Peltier and Martin.

While many of our "warm water" fish species can tolerate some warmth, water temperatures soared into the mid-80s, which was just too much for some. Cooler water species like northern pike, walleye, and muskie are especially vulnerable.

Low oxygen levels can compound the problem. Warm water can hold less dissolved oxygen. On top of that, accelerated decomposition in warm water can consume more oxygen. This adds another stressor to fish. The MNDNR notes that "larger fish of all types…have a smaller gill surface area to body mass ratio than smaller fish."

Our staff most often heard of large northern pike dying. It's a shame to see these impressive, trophy-sized fish dead. Fortunately, most reports involved only a limited number of fish dying. 

Anglers should be aware that fish are stressed and should consider not targeting larger or sensitive fish at this time. Be especially careful to keep fights to a minimum, keep fish in the water, and release them quickly. Some information for this article is adapted from a MNDNR press release – see the full article here.

Shoreline owners and anglers can do a few things to help. Shoreline owners can leave shoreline trees and in-water vegetation in place. Both are critical habitat, but in hot weather they also provide shade and cooler refuges. If you want to increase shoreline habitat to benefit fish and water quality, ACD offers grants. Most commonly, these are for native plant shoreline buffers. Contact Jamie Schurbon, Watershed Projects Manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 763-434-2030 ext. 210.

Oftentimes, our dreams of beautiful gardens are dashed this time of year when damage from insects, critters, and plant diseases starts to wreak havoc on our gardens and landscapes. Before you despair, here are a few things you can do to prevent further damage and to prevent damage in the future. 

There are many helpful online and smart-device apps available for identifying plants, insects, and plant diseases. This is a great place to start since you want to make sure before you start yanking a 'weed' or spraying a 'pest' that you know what you have is correctly identified. You can also reach out to MN Extension and their Master Gardeners for more information. Ask a Master Gardener | UMN Extension.

If your spring planting plans didn't work out, there's still plenty of time! Planting native perennials in the fall reduces weeding and watering needs and even promotes earlier root establishment, giving them a head start on growing next spring! Check out this article from Blue Thumb to learn more about fall planting: Planting for Pollinators in Fall – Blue Thumb.

Most native plant vendors restock species for fall planting and are accepting plant orders now. Blue Thumb is also hosting its second annual in-person fall plant sale, with details listed above. For more information on pollinators, contact Jordi Johnson, Restoration Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ACD has several keystone endeavors for each of the identified foundational natural resources: Surface Water, Ecological Resources, Groundwater, Soils, and Community and Operations. As we make progress on these endeavors, we have a lasting positive impact on the quality of life in Anoka County.