Who lives in our watershed? To find out, VLAWMO staff is placing remote cameras in various wetlands around the watershed. See the video slideshow below. The types and diversity of plant and animal life help us understand the health of our wetlands. 

Residents and businesses can help support our wetlands and their inhabitants, too! Even if you don't live next to a wetland, chances are your property drains to one. The Vadnais Lake Area watershed has over 500 wetlands, serving as natural filters for water and air and replenishing groundwater. Here are some ways you can help support healthy wetlands from wherever you are:

Adopt a stormdrain

Volunteer to clean out a nearby stormdrain to cut down on on the sediment, nutrients, and trash that drain into wetlands and lakes. Visit our service webpage for more info and other community service opportunities.

Encourage native buffers

Native vegetation grows deeper roots than turfgrass, making it more protective for ponds, lakes, streams, and even wetlands. Native buffers are better at absorbing high water levels, reducing sedimentation into the water resource, and providing valuable habitat for animals and pollinators. VLAWMO can help build or restore buffers through our cost-share program. Click here for our info sheet on buffers. 

Build a project

Raingardens, native plantings, and alternative turfs are great ways to reduce gunk and contaminants going into lakes and wetlands. Our cost-share program is here to help residents and businesses fund raingardens, native plantings, permeable pavers, smart irrigation systems, and more! 

Practice smart salting 

More salt doesn't melt ice faster, and salt is a permanent pollutant to water and soil. Keep 3" between grains of salt, and sweep up extra when ice is gone. 1/2 of a 12.oz coffee mug is enough for one parking space, but less may be needed depending on conditions. Check out the smart salting flyer, smart salting poster, or our video on salt use.

Cover up bare soil 

Bare soil is a recipe for erosion and nutrient loss into water bodies. Be sure to plant bare soil with turf or native vegetation - severe cases may be eligible for cost-share funding. 

Irrigate with care

Conserving water helps protect water resources for the future. Irrigation is best done early in the morning to reduce evaporation. Sprinklers should never spray onto pavement. If it has rained recently, watering should be reduced to account for rainfall. 

Mow grass at 3" minimum

Longer grass holds more water, blocks out weeds, and reduces small soil particles from washing off with runoff. Sediment is bad for lakes and wetlands because it chokes out vegetation and carries excess nutrients with it. Less sediment running off the landscape also helps Cities and Townships maintain culverts, storm ponds, and other infrastructure by requiring less dredging.

Attend an event

Check out our event calendar for workshops, presentations, and volunteer opportunities! 

Wetland Links:

Wetland description and facts: MN DNR

Board of Water and Soil Resources

Wetland types: Circular 39

Wetland Conservation Act and watershed rules