NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHTS

What does water-friendly landscaping look like? How is it maintained? These questions and many more are explored in this series from VLAWMO's cost-share grant program. 

Each project is a creative blend of aesthetics, drainage strategies, habitat, maintenance, and property needs. Whether the project is large and complex or small and compact, each one is a valuable addition to the watershed. VLAWMO is thankful for the residents and business who've offered to share their story.

Raingardens, Shoreline Restorations, and Native Plantings

Medium sized raingarden custom designed around home foundation. Rainbarrel connections and wet basement solutions.

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Marlette Family

Vegetated play area, field prairie, and large raingardens (3) featuring trees, shrubs, and flowering plants.

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White Bear Montessori

Raingarden, bee lawn, downspout extension beneath sidewalk.

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Ingrid

Curbside raingarden, sedge groundcover yard, and green roof.

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Karen

A bee lawn plus various sun/shade native plantings.

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Smith Family

Pop-up raingarden, dry creek erosion control, native sedge groundcover, native shade planting, downspout extension beneath sidewalk.

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Shapland Family

Small raingarden with dry creek redirecting stormwater runoff away from home, wet yard solutions.

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Beth

Multi-basin raingarden with sump pump basement connection.

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Green Family

Curb-cut raingarden, downspout raingarden, pocket prairie, and wetland buffer.

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Sigmon-Olsen Family

Multi-phase shoreline restoration including native plantings and alternative turf.

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Conrad and Stacey

A shoreline restoration on Birch Lake.

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Carol

Multiple raingardens including a French underdrain and overflow features into Lambert Creek. Front yard prairie planting.

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Katherine

Small raingarden basins linked together, large front yard native planting, backyard native planting.

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Schmidt Family

A shady downspout raingarden featuring an overflow dry creek, merged with a larger sun/shade native planting.

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Ahi

A Zen-inspired raingarden featuring native mosses and several drainage and grading strategies.

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Sam

Shaded woodland planting with native plants and groundcovers.

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Kate

A native wetland buffer supporting a wetland that flows to Birch Lake in the City of White Bear Lake.

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Pat

Underground downspout connection beneath parking lot, raingarden, slope stabilization.

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Hisdahl's Trophy

Check out this exciting blend of pollinator habitat and local history, made possible by the White Bear Lake Historical Society.

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White Bear Town Hall

Lo-mow/no-mow fescue turf, shoreline restoration, and raingarden.

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Joe

Small and medium raingardens (4), alternative turf yard, backyard prairie.

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Sharon and Peter

Shared multi-property raingarden, pollinator garden, and a small raingarden featuring a sump pump connection.

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Bev and Chuck

Native prairie integrated with a septic system mound plus a part sun/shade slope restoration.

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Diane

Small front yard raingarden taking rooftop runoff.

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Glander Family

Large full sun raingarden paired with a native planting.

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Ronna

Watershed Stewardship

Insight from local resident Bob Winkler on his water-friendly winter maintenance and Adopt-a-Drain efforts.

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Bob

Frassati Academy's watershed stewardship has included planting, education, and even music.

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Frassati Academy

Connie and her granddaughter share about their experience helping with adopt-a-drain in White Bear Lake.

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Connie

A storytelling series that merges art, water, and community.

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Uptream