Activities to enhance habitat within 45 acres at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park began this winter. The dense buckthorn that dominated the understory of the woodlands, wetland depressions, edges of Turtle Pond and the Mississippi River shoreline was cut and mowed. The Siberian elms invading prairie and turf areas were cut and removed, and several box elder trees were cut to create a canopy gap for greater diversity. Enhancement activities, including follow-up buckthorn and garlic control, a prescribed burn, native seeding, and turf-to-prairie conversion, will continue through 2030 with support from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Funds.

For more information, contact Carrie Taylor, Restoration Ecologist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ACD wants to send out a huge thanks to the volunteers who spent a Saturday morning planting at Epiphany Ponds! ACD and the City of Coon Rapids are working together to reduce turf grass and expand native plantings at Epiphany Ponds Park. Volunteers planted native wildflowers and grasses to add to the seed mix. This is one of many plantings to create pollinator corridors in Anoka County.

For more information contact Carrie Taylor, Restoration Ecologist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Sloneker family protected 58.5 acres of their land around Cedar Creek through the BWSR's Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) program. Under the RIM program, the land remains privately owned but is protected by a conservation easement. Land protection along creeks and rivers improves water quality, reduces flood risk, and creates essential wildlife habitat corridors. For more information contact Carrie Taylor, Restoration Ecologist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Each year, the Anoka County Parks Department uses prescribed burns to manage ~200 acres of prairie and savanna habitats. Fire is a natural part of these ecosystems; it removes accumulated plant material, releases beneficial nutrients, fights the encroachment of woody plants, and helps control invasive species. Through these processes, fire boosts the native plant community and increases diversity. Prescribed burns are often paired with other management techniques such as mowing, applying selective herbicides, and supplemental seeding. 

Powerline corridors like this need to remain clear of woody vegetation, providing an opportunity for active prairie management in its place. This restoration also involved treating smooth brome (an aggressive invasive grass) before burning. Visit the U.S. Forest Service webpage to learn more about prescribed burns or contact Carrie Taylor, Restoration Ecologist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rare Plant Rescue Planting: Help plant rare lance-leaved violets that were rescued from a development in Anoka County. Please RSVP to plant rescued trees at the Beach Conservation District on Wednesday, October 22nd, at 10 am.

If you have questions, contact Carrie Taylor, Restoration Ecologist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.