The bluff country of NE Iowa, SE Minnesota, and SW Wisconsin offers miles of unspoiled scenic beauty to make your horseback riding trip memorable, fun, and challenging. Riders will find trails that offer water obstacles, woods, flatlands, hills, bluffs, rocks/gravel, scenic overlooks, challenges, and unknowns. Some trails are suitable for beginners to advance riders. Need … [Read more...]
$12.2 million in Legacy Fund grants to enhance 20 regional parks and trails in Greater Minnesota
DULUTH, MN – December 8, 2021 – People who enjoy outdoor recreation across Minnesota will soon have their experiences enhanced, once recommendations are approved to fund a record $12.2 million in improvements at 20 regional parks and trails across Greater Minnesota. The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) just finished its application review process … [Read more...]
Summer 2021 tree health
By Valiree Green MN DNR Forestry, Caledonia As summer ebbs on, the office is receiving more and more calls about “sick” trees and other plants. Before getting into specifics, it is worth noting that several issues often can assault plants (and people) before showing signs of distress. Often multiple factors are at play, and there is seldom “a smoking gun.” For a start, … [Read more...]
April weed of the month: habitat restoration
Habitat loss is one of the most important causes of species decline in the United States. More and more people are looking to restore parts of their property, or their entire property, back to a natural setting. This is great news for native plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife that rely on native habitats for survival. However, this can be an intimidating process for … [Read more...]
NACD announces 2020 photo, poster contest winners
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), in partnership with the NACD Auxiliary, announced the winners of the 2020 Photo Contest and 2020 Poster Contest during the 75th NACD Annual Meeting Inspirational Session. The photo contest, open to amateur photographers in both youth and adult divisions, consists of images reflecting the themes of “Agriculture and … [Read more...]
Collaborative effort rescues Eastern Screech-Owl
The morning of February 16, 2021, started off like any other for Andy Bunge of Preston, Minn., but how quickly things can change. “It was early in the morning, about 6:30, and the sun really hadn’t come up yet, but there was snow on the ground and we have these large picture windows in the house... and I heard this thud on the window,” explains Bunge. “I thought, what bird … [Read more...]
Approximately $100 million available for wildlife habitat grants in Minnesota Council seeks funding requests for wide variety of programs that restore, protect and enhance Minnesota habitat
SAINT PAUL, MN, April 8, 2021 - The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) last week issued its annual Call for Funding Request from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Approximately $100 million will be available for both metro and statewide grants to aid Minnesota habitat restoration, preservation and enhancement. Requests are due to the LSOHC Thursday, May 27, 2021, at 4 … [Read more...]
The death of one eagle
By Mary T. Bell On a frigidly cold Saturday morning, my husband Joe Deden and I held a bald eagle as it struggled for breath. It did not resist our touch as it died in our arms. Watching this death was heartbreaking and powerful. The previous Thursday morning, Joe was skiing along the Root River when he saw this eagle perched on the lower branches of an oak tree near the … [Read more...]
Chatfield joins Root River Trail Towns
Community representatives of Root River Trail Towns voted unanimously on Wednesday, February 17, to accept Chatfield into the Root River Trail Towns organization. Established in 1988, Root River Trail Towns was created as a non-profit group to market the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley state bike trails. Participating communities include Fountain, Preston, Harmony, … [Read more...]
Lieb is booking it to Eagle Scout status
Determination, ambition and love of learning are three of the many characteristics of anyone who has worked their way up from entering Cub Scouts, moved their way on to Boy Scouts and then continues on even further to work toward becoming an Eagle Scout. Robert Lieb, 18, of Lanesboro, Minn., not only maintains these characteristics, but they are combined with numerous other … [Read more...]
Magnum Sports a one-stop shop for archery supplies
In general, magnum means “great in power” and visiting Magnum Sports at 21 1st St. SE in Chatfield exemplifies its name because has much to offer the sportsman. Tucked into the back of the former Ford dealership and garage on Main Street in Chatfield, it was once the garage part of the building. This lends itself well as the ceilings are higher for displays and mammoth enough … [Read more...]
Black bear harvested near Lewiston
Living in the hills and valleys of Bluff Country, we sometimes hear stories of bear being sighted in the area. It most cases, it appears that the bear is just moving through the area while looking for a mate. Randy Hoekstra of rural Lewiston, Minn., in western Winona County, was wishing that was the case when he first start seeing pictures of a black bear from the trail … [Read more...]
Four-way stop installation planned in Spring Valley at Hwy 63-16 intersection
Motorists using the intersection of Hwys 63 and 16 in Spring Valley will soon encounter a new four-way stop, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The signs being installed will include flashing LED lights around the signs, which will be placed in each direction. The intersection includes Hwy 63/16 to the west, Fillmore County Road 1 to the north, Hwy 16 … [Read more...]
Out of the Darkness Walk held in Chatfield
“If you know someone who is showing signs of anxiety or depression, reach out to them, show them that you’re a friend and that you are there for them and they can pull through this,” states Terry “Hogie” Haagenson, organizer of the Out of the Darkness Walk through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) held in Chatfield’s Groen Park on Saturday, September 19, … [Read more...]
Citizen science in action: Joan Redig on Paradise Valley Creek
By Cathy Malakowsky Information Officer, MPCA Intrigued by the changing conditions she saw in the creek flowing through her farm, Joan Redig of rural Houston County signed up for the Citizen Monitoring Program in 2017 after reading about the volunteer opportunity in a local newspaper. She monitors Paradise Valley Stream in the southeast corner Minnesota. This region is known … [Read more...]