Land Conservation

Long fall? Extended prescribed burn season!

October 7, 2022

The lingering fall this year gave us the rare opportunity to implement a fall burn at our Hastings River Flats prairie restoration. Here's why we jumped at the chance. Read more

Prairie fire, prescribed burn at Hastings River Flats

Minnesota's new climate goals are a great start — now it's time to follow through

October 6, 2022

The Walz administration's recently released Climate Action Framework is laudable. Now it's time to translate the framework into action. Read more

A farmer standing on a patch of grass on the edge of cropland, looking down into a stream that runs alongside it.

"Is it good or bad?" Rethinking language around invasive species

September 14, 2022

A deep dive into the term "invasive species" — species that spread rapidly, or species out of place — plus how we can revise the value judgments we place on them. Read more

Minnesota's 3 little lizards

September 8, 2022

There are about 150 native and non-native lizard species in North America. Only these three manage to survive the harsh Minnesota climate. Read more

A racerunner lizard at the Flint Hills Resources site.

Goldenrod or ragweed: Which causes allergies and which benefits pollinators?

August 29, 2022

Don't blame the wrong plant for that runny nose and itchy eyes. Read more

A close-up of a goldenrod plant in bloom.

Invasive species: Garlic mustard

August 4, 2022

Learn more about garlic mustard and how you can help restore balance for wildlife and water quality by removing these plants before they flower. Read more

Think twice before removing that thistle

by Alex Roth

July 1, 2022

Not all thistles are invasive in Minnesota. Here's how you can tell if you're looking at one of our five native thistle species and why you should leave those species in the ground. >>

Not all thistles are invasive in Minnesota. Here's how you can tell if you're looking at one of our few native thistle species. Read more