ENTER AGENDA SECTION HERE- Rebecca Haug, Water Resources Manager
Title
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE 2019 RECAP
Background
In 2019, the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary at 11980 Lexington Avenue, continued to be home to many successful programs. With the help of Growing Green Hearts and Wargo Nature Center, the city held several programs allowing participants to have a hands-on experience learning more about the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary.
The Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth explored the site and a stargazing event was held with WCCO Radio meteorologist Mike Lynch.
Educators from around the metro area were invited to attend an educator open house and receive free eSTEM curriculum, developed by Growing Green Hearts, focused on the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary.
Another exciting event that took place at the BWS was the first permit of its kind from the DNR being issued to allow the threatened lance-leaved violet to be salvaged from a new development site prior to grading of the site. The project was in partnership with Critical Connections Ecological Services, the Anoka Conservation District and MN Landscape Arboretum. Volunteers salvaged the plants from the new development and then the MN Landscape Arboretum properly cleaned the plants. The plants were then replanted by volunteers in pre-determined plots at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. In the spring of 2020, the plots will be evaluated to see if the salvage was successful. If so, the DNR may start issuing more permits to allow for threatened and endangered species to be rescued and then re-planted at preserved sites. The BWS is an ideal site for many of the plants in the Anoka Sandplain.
In 2020, additional programs will take place at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary and several interpretive signs, designed by students at Anoka Ramsey Community College, will be installed.
In partnership with Growing Green Hearts and the Anoka County Library, the BWS will host ABC Open House Storytimes on the Boardwalk. Working with the Anoka Conservation District and Coon Creek and Rice Creek Watershed Districts, the city will host Project WET trainings for educators.
The restoration work in the southern portion of the BWS is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2020, weather permitting. Planning will begin to design a shelter structure located at the BWS parking lot off of Lexington Avenue.
More information about the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is available at blainemn.gov/blainewetlandsanctuary.
Recommendation
By motion, recommendation to approve 2019 recap.