NRCB Item - Nate Monahan, Recreation Manager and Rebecca Haug, Water Resource Manager
Title
NRCB Updates
Executive Summary
Staff will review with the NRCB the items below on current open space programs, communication, and projects.
Background
Southern Portion Restoration in the BWS
The contractor for the Southern Portion was able to complete most of the restoration work except for approximately 13 acres on the southwest side. Please see attached map. The contractor will finish the remaining 13 acres next winter as weather allows, including the removal of remaining wood chip piles from the haul road and staging areas.
Wetland Credit Sales
On April 5, 2021 the Blaine City Council approved the sale of wetland credits to the Harper’s Landing and Meadowland Estates developments in the city. Both sales were at the rate $2.50 per square foot with the Harper’s Landing sale totaling $77,297.22 for 30,918.89 square feet (0.7098 acres) and the Meadowland Estates sale netting $76,992.30 for the sale of 30,796.92 square feet (0.7070 acres). The developer will be responsible for the payment of state fees for both sales. As a reminder, the pro forma for the wetland credit sales was based on a rate of $1.75 - $2.00/sq. ft. With these two sales, the city has generated approximately $1.5 million from the sale of approximately 15 acres of the potential 81 acres of wetland credits. The city currently has about 14 acres available to sell.
Enforcement Update for the BWS
The city has seen an increase in the number of people walking around the wetland banks off of the boardwalk. The permission to install the boardwalk was difficult to achieve with the permitting agencies because of the concern that the public would not stay on the designated trail and thus damage the restored vegetation. Initially, neither bikes nor dogs were going to be allowed on the site because of this concern. To be able to continue extending the trail system, it is important for the public to know that they must stay on the designated trails so the permitting agencies will allow for the trail to continue through the Central Portion (Branch 3) of the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary.
Staff is working with the Blaine Police Department bike patrol officers and the city’s Communication team to continue to inform and educate the public about the need to stay on the designated trails. The city has installed signs stating “Stay on Designated Trails.” The city will also be installing some smaller signs stating “Critical habitat restoration in progress. Please stay on designated trails to avoid damaging the threatened and endangered plant species”.
BWS Structure and Concept Trail System Update
In May, staff will review options with the City Council for a structure at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary (BWS) parking lot located at 11980 Lexington Avenue. The options include a pavilion; a pavilion with restroom; or a nature center. Staff will also review the 2014 BWS Master Plan trail system concept and discuss the possibility of updating the plan to be more cost effective. The updates would maximize uplands, limit boardwalks, utilize city property in neighborhoods for trail connections, and reduce trails behind homes. Please see attached maps.
BWS Entrance Sign
The City Council approved the BWS entrance sign concept on April 5 and it will go out for bid this spring. If the successful bid is within budget, the sign will be constructed this summer. Please see attached entrance signs concepts for Wetland Sanctuary, Lexington Athletic Complex, and Pheasant Ridge Business Park that will be bid as one project.
Conservationist of the Year Award
At the March 15, 2021 City Council meeting, the city was awarded the 2020 Conservationist of the Year Award from the Anoka Conservation District. The city received the award for being strong advocates and partners for conservation work. Within the over 800 acres of dedicated open space throughout the city, there has been the creation of a greenway corridor, opportunities to protect and restore biological diversity, as well as outdoor education and recreational opportunities. This award would not have been possible without the support from the City Council and Natural Resource Conservation Board.
BWS Tour
There have been discussions among the Anoka Conservation District, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Critical Connections Ecological Services and the city to develop a BWS tour this summer. An in-person tour is scheduled for Tuesday, August 3, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a backup date of Tuesday, August 10. During this tour residents will learn a number of things, including the importance and value of wetland restoration and what trees belong in a wetland ecosystem. Tour leaders will also: dispel myths about the site being a mosquito breeding ground; provide wetland management strategies; and discuss rare plants, birds, pollinators, and wildlife.
BWS Summer Programs
Parks and Recreation staff is partnering with Growing Green Hearts and the Wargo Nature Center to provide summer programs at the BWS. Below are the programs scheduled with Growing Green Hearts and the Wargo Nature Center programs.
Exploring Environmental STEM at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary
Professional development for Parent Aware
Ages 16 and Up
Join this course to experience the 5E's...engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate...all at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary! We'll act out seasons, build different nests, create art connecting natural systems, investigate insulators, identify plants, and more. These activities will teach the environmental STEM pedagogy: the 5E model for nature play; and prepare leaders for hikes, lessons, and field trips at the site. Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is an open space park that includes a special wetland called a fen, some of the rarest plants in Minnesota, and a unique mile-long boardwalk. BWS is free to visitors of all ages. Trainer: Heidi Ferris of Growing Green Hearts in partnership with City of Blaine
Max. 10. Register by May 1.
DATE: Saturday, May 8
TIME: 1 - 4PM
Fee: $15
Bird Hike
All Ages
Bird watching is a fun way to build observational skills, get outside, and start learning how to identify the dozens of different birds that live on the wetland. Program with Anoka County Wargo naturalists.
DATE: Tuesday, June 1
TIME: 6 - 8PM
Fee: $5/child or family
Plants & Wetland Communities
All Ages
The Blaine Wetland area has a rich diversity of plants and ecological communities. A plant expert will be along to help find, identify, and explain the importance of the wide variety of plant and other life that make the wetland their home. Program with Anoka County Wargo Naturalists.
DATE: Thursday, July 8
TIME: 6 - 8PM
Fee: $5/child or family
Welcome Hike & Belly Biology
All Ages
What’s underground (and under the boardwalk) will surprise you! Come and meet our new neighbor, the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. Together we will explore how water, land, air, and living things interact with each other in this special place. Throughout the nature hike participants will dazzle the senses with belly biology, systems bingo, and BWS nature trivia. .
DATE: Monday, June 28
TIME: 9 - 10AM
FEE: $5/child or family
Superheroes & Systems
All Ages
The fen at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is a water superhero! Hike the boardwalk with us to learn the story: How does the fen battle the water pollutant villains? Which plants are signs of health in the system? Where is there evidence of change at the fen? Together we will explore examples of how water, air, land, and living things are interconnected at the site. Activities for all ages include: connecting maps with core sampling, use-your-senses bingo, and an engineering design challenge. Wear your superhero gear!
DATE: Tuesday, June 29 OR Thursday, August 5
TIME: 9 - 10AM
FEE: $5/child or family
Author & Art
Ages 10 and Under with Parent/Guardian
The book “1,2,3 Earth Air Me” by local author Heidi Ferris will be placed along the path to guide us in nature sculpture, a water painting activity, and wetland art in action. Drop-in any time during the 2 hour timeframe!
DATE: Monday, August 2
TIME: 9 - 11AM
FEE: $5/child or family
Boardwalk & Books
Ages 10 and Under with Parent
Hike the boardwalk as you read the book “4S’s for Noticing Nature” with local author Heidi Ferris. Create a nature journal together then record what you notice using your senses. Try making your own artisanal paper from recycled fibers. Drop-in any time during the 2 hour timeframe!
DATE: Tuesday, August 3
TIME: 9 - 11AM
FEE: $5/child or family
Connecting with Critters
Ages 10 and Under with Parent
Wonder, dance and sing about water with author of the book “7 Water Wonderings.” Together we will build a giant watershed model. Kids can explore water critters. Drop-in any time during the 2 hour timeframe!
DATE: Wednesday, August 4
TIME: 9 - 11AM
FEE: $5/child or family
Insects and Other Critter Crawlers
Let’s go on a bug hunt! We’ll explore the wetland and nearby areas for butterflies, beetles, moths, grasshoppers, and other critter crawlers. We will see what sort of diversity we can find while getting the chance to get hands on with bugs while learning about their relationship to the wetland. Not sure about bugs? Don’t worry, there’s no obligation to handle them and you can still learn more about them while keeping your distance. Program with Anoka County Wargo naturalists.
DATE: Wednesday, August 19
TIME: 6 - 8PM
FEE: $5/child or family
Staff Recommendation
Informational
Attachment List
Southern Portion Map
2014 BWS Development Master Plan Trail Concept Map
BWS Existing Trailheads and Trails Map
BWS Entrance Sign Concept