Many of us enjoy outdoor recreation. Fortunately for us, Fillmore County is blessed with the availability of a variety of outdoor recreational activities. A summit will be held on March 29 (8:30 a.m. to noon) at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center to recognize the economic value/impact realized by Fillmore County, local businesses, and groups involved in outdoor … [Read more...]
Public meetings on invasive weeds along the Root River
Please come join us for two public meetings being held on April 4, 2019, to talk about invasive plant species – such as Japanese hops – along the Root River. The first meeting will be held from 3-5 p.m. at the Houston Community Center, 109 W Maple St, Houston, Minn. 55943 and the second meeting will be held from 6-8 PM at the MiEnergy building 31110 Cooperative Way, City of … [Read more...]
Wildlife in winter: It hasn’t been easy
As you know, it’s been a very harsh winter; one of the coldest and snowiest on record! It hasn’t been easy for us or for most of Minnesota’s wildlife. From deer to songbirds — it’s nothing less than amazing that anything has been able to survive. Unfortunately, some will perish. “We’re starting to get reports of wildlife mortality that is weather related,” said Jaime Edwards, … [Read more...]
“Getting Bees Back on Their Own Six Feet” Dinner on the Bluff features entomologist Marla Spivak
Dr. Marla Spivak, a MacArthur Fellow and McKnight Distinguished Professor in Entomology at the University of Minnesota, will be the featured speaker at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center’s Dinner on the Bluff event April 6. Honey bees are one of the key pollinators of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Over the past 15 years, colonies of bees have been disappearing, and … [Read more...]
Making the world a better place for owls
Owls are a fascinating topic for many people, and the International Festival of Owls is recognizing two individuals who have made a difference for owls in their respective regions and around the world. Dr. Paula Enriquez of Chiapas, Mexico, and Dr. Richard Raid of the University of Florida are receiving awards in March for their work making the world a better place for … [Read more...]
Mitch Boyum recognized as 2019 Conservation Officer of the Year
“Many times going to work I think I can’t believe I’m getting paid to do this,” states Mitch Boyum, who was recently selected as the 2019 Conservation Officer of the Year. Growing up in St. Charles, Minn., Boyum loved being outdoors, and participating in outdoor activities, especially trapping, hunting and fishing. “There’s something about getting a coyote to put its foot … [Read more...]
Eagle Bluff offers Homesteading Workshop March 9 and 10
Whether you have a backyard plot or acres of land, the Homesteading Weekend Workshop at Eagle Bluff will help you create an outdoors environment you can be proud of for years to come. This series of classes in Beekeeping, Apple Grafting, Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation and Organic Gardening will be offered for the first time on Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10. The … [Read more...]
Preston allows deer hunt
At the January 9 Preston City Council meeting, Police Chief Matt Schultz informed council members that he met with USDA Wildlife Supervisor John Hart this past Monday. Hart again requested permission to allow sharpshooters to hunt within the Preston city limits as had been done in 2017. The hunt is part of the continuing effort to control the spread of chronic wasting disease … [Read more...]
Hunters on the lookout for Chronic Wasting Disease leverage state IT and scientific data
ST. PAUL, MN — Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological disease afflicting deer that causes the animals’ brains to deteriorate until they experience emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions, and ultimately death. This hunting season, hunters and wildlife researchers are using a new online application developed by state science and technology experts at … [Read more...]
DNR schedules special late season deer hunts
In an effort to control the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the core area, the DNR has scheduled special late season hunts for December 21-23 and December 28-30. These hunts will be in permit areas 603, 347, and 348 plus portions of deer permit areas 343 and 345 that are south of Interstate 90. The focus will be on the primary core area between Preston and Lanesboro, … [Read more...]
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park to remain open during deer hunt on November 3 and 4
Special hunts will take place on November 3 and 4 at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park and November 10 and 11 at Lake Louise State Park to prevent overpopulation of deer and protect resources. Both parks will remain open to all visitors, but the DNR advises wearing blaze orange if they visit while the hunt is in progress. Visitors should check for hunt-related information at … [Read more...]
Farmers & Merchants games a unique form of entertainment
There are not many places where you will find farmers in tutus, firemen running bases backwards and merchants grabbing corn cobs, but all this and much more will be happening on Saturday, July 28 in Fountain, Minn. The games will be sponsored by the Fountain 150th Anniversary committee as a fundraiser for next year’s 150th Anniversary celebration. There will be two softball … [Read more...]
Niagara Cave listed as Minnesota’s “Bucket List Road Trip” destination by USA Today
A fascinating geological feature in Southeast Minnesota, Harmony’s own Niagara Cave was recently listed as Minnesota’s “Bucket List” destination in a compilation of one attraction per state. See the article at https://www.usatoday.com/topic/d796ee39-e3bc-4c61-99bc-26b9f57800ed/the-bucket-list-destinations/. Featuring a 60-foot waterfall, an underground river, and fossils … [Read more...]
Friends of the Root River float trip July 28
Friends of the Root River will sponsor a float trip on the Root River on Saturday, July 28 from Moen’s Bridge on Fillmore County 21 to the County 250 bridge. Mitch Gilbert and George Spangler will act as naturalist guides. Families and individuals interested in nature, the river and water quality are invited to take part. Bring your own kayak, canoe or rent one from Little … [Read more...]
EF0 tornado touches down in Bristol Township
On Wednesday evening, May 30, 2018, at approximately 7:54 p.m., the Fillmore County Emergency Dispatch received a report of a small tornado on the ground in Bristol Township, Section 31, in the 22000 block of County Road 30. This area would be about five miles southeast of Greenleafton and is an abandoned residence. It was reported that a small building was damaged. The … [Read more...]