The Rice Creek Watershed District's (RCWD) Water Quality Grant Program annually funds projects benefitting priority local waterbodies. Eligible practices include lakeshore and streambank stabilizations, curb-cut rain gardens, stormwater treatment, agricultural practices, and wetland restorations. Cost share rates vary based on the type of project and the water quality benefits achieved. Learn more about this program HERE. If you are an Anoka County resident within the Rice Creek watershed boundaries, contact Breanna Keith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a free consultation.

If your property is not well-suited to a water quality improvement project but you're interested in improving native habitat on your property, consider applying for RCWD's Mini-Grant Program. 

It's spring and many of us are thinking about planting!. Many great online resources exist to help guide landowners. The links below will bring you to webpages on pollinators, site identification, plant selection, planting hints, and much more:

• Metro Blooms and Blue Thumb (See "Plant Finder" on the Resources page.)
• MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Pollinator and Biodiversity Toolbox
  • "Creating Residential Pollinator Habitat" page for garden templates for different light/moisture conditions and more.
  • Planting for Pollinators: Principles and Design for Residential Pollinator Habitat
  • Pollinator garden templates for native plant pollinator gardens
    • Shady Garden
    • Rain Garden
    • Sunny and Low (Boulevard) Garden
• DNR Minnesota's Pollinators
• University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Extension
  • Native Plants page
  • Plant for bees and other pollinators page
  • Minnesota Wildflowers – A Field Guide to the Flora of Minnesota

Resources for shoreline areas

• DNR Planting Trees and Shrubs on Your Shoreline
• DNR Planting Perennials on Your Shoreline
• DNR Natural shorelines page

The list above was compiled by the MNDNR in their March 2026 Water Talk Newsletter.

It is easy to recognize large, eroding riverbanks as a problem. Along the Rum River, which flows through the Anoka Sand Plain, twenty-foot-tall cliffs along outer bends are not an uncommon sight. Stabilizing these banks protects the land behind them and keeps soil and nutrients out of the river. Exactly how to approach stabilization is a balancing act unique to each site. 

At the most extreme, steel and concrete walls are used to protect valuable infrastructure and roads. Rock riprap is a common practice employed to protect homes near eroding shorelines. In some cases, particularly where no infrastructure is at risk, a vegetative approach can be best. These vegetative approaches often require less equipment and cost much less than hard armoring, and they provide additional habitat benefit for wildlife.

At a new conservation easement along the Rum River in Isanti County, we employed crew members from Conservation Corps MN & Iowa to plant 600 live willow and dogwood cuttings along the toe of an eroding Rum Riverbank. The riverbank is far from any homes or infrastructure. The land behind the riverbank was a corn field that will be planted with native vegetation. Because the risk of loss at this site is so minimal, we opted for a soft, natural approach over expensive hard armoring. The hope is that the planted stakes will take root and grow, establishing dense tree cover along the lower slope. The upper slope will continue to shift until it reaches equilibrium, but if the toe remains in place, the bank will have a chance to heal and fully revegetate over time. Because the investment of time and materials was so low, we can try again if the stakes die from flooding or drought. 

For more information, contact Jared Wagner, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ACD Supervisors and staff recently met with members of the Anoka County legislative delegation as part of our annual outreach efforts to stay connected and share conservation updates. These meetings provide an opportunity to highlight how ACD partners with landowners, local government entities, and other organizations to deliver voluntary projects that improve water quality, restore habitat, and support resilient communities. From stormwater treatment in urban areas to shoreline stabilization and habitat work along the Rum River, as well as pollinator plantings and invasive species management, ACD's projects are designed to provide lasting local benefits. 

Discussions this year focused on recent ACD projects, emerging natural resource challenges, and the importance of sustained funding to continue delivering cost-effective conservation results. ACD also shared their interactive dashboards that showcase projects and illustrate how this work is making a difference throughout Anoka County.

We appreciate the time and engagement of our local legislators and look forward to continuing to serve as a trusted, non-regulatory resource on natural resource issues.

To explore projects in your community, visit ACD's interactive ecological and water project dashboards, where you can filter by location, project type, and year to see how conservation is making a difference across Anoka County. For more information, contact Mitch Haustein, Stormwater & Shoreland Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ACD's longstanding work addressing non-point source pollution enabled us to bring meaningful, real-world context to the current event station at this year's Metro Area Envirothon. The Envirothon is an event where teams of students rotate through six stations covering a variety of environmental topics. 

Non-point source pollution occurs when runoff carries contaminants into waterways indirectly, rather than from a single, identifiable source like a pipe. It can originate from a wide range of land uses and activities, including agriculture, roadways, and urban areas. This issue aligns with ACD's work throughout Anoka County. Projects such as rain gardens help capture and treat stormwater runoff before pollutants reach our lakes and streams.

ACD developed a detailed study guide and tests for middle- and high-school participants, with over 100 students across 13 teams from the Twin Cities Metro Area. By leading the station, ACD connects students to conservation challenges and solutions, helping build awareness and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. For more information, contact Lauren Schmelzer, Outreach and Natural Resource Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Minnesota Stormwater Research Council held its inaugural symposium, attended by government entities, engineering firms, and research institutions. The event offered valuable updates and discussions on the current science and management strategies for stormwater ponds.

Stormwater ponds are ubiquitous in the landscape, given their use as a go-to management practice since the 1980s. Some are entirely manmade, while others were retrofitted from natural wetlands. Initially, their primary purpose was to mitigate flooding. However, their water quality benefits were quickly realized – particularly their ability to capture solids (such as trash and sediment) and the pollutants that often accompany them. Today, significant effort is devoted to strategies that further enhance stormwater ponds' water quality benefits, most notably by reducing phosphorus levels. 

Research shows that some stormwater ponds provide minimal nutrient-reduction benefits or can even act as a source of phosphorus. A pond's performance in this realm is difficult to predict, monitor, and correct. While extensive monitoring of a pond's chemistry, biology, and hydrology will paint the clearest picture, sometimes simpler metrics such as duckweed abundance, wind shelter, volume, age, and soil composition can provide valuable insight. Where problems exist, best management practices, such as dredging or vegetation management, can help.

Pond maintenance is often logistically challenging and requires a coordinated effort. Partnerships among pond owners (typically cities or HOAs), adjacent landowners, private firms, and local government entities with expertise is often essential to improve pond function. Learn more about stormwater ponds HERE or by watching the "Our Stormwater Pond Connection" video. For more information, contact Breanna Keith, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Treating buckthorn is a frequent part of ACD's ecological projects to enhance habitat. This past winter, Sally, Caitlin, Darien and Anna joined ACD to help with buckthorn control on 60 acres across Anoka County. This work was completed at sites that are habitats for rare plants. The crew endured deep snow at the beginning of the winter and some very cold days. We are grateful to them for bringing their skills, hard work and care to the projects. We wish them the best as they move on to new positions! 

ACD finances vary annually due to the ebb and flow of competitive grants. While ecological projects tend to be installed at a steady pace each year, larger surface-water improvement projects come in fits and starts. The 2025 surface water project planning, design, and permitting set the stage for 2026 installations. Many state grants are funded by sales taxes dedicated to natural resource activities. ACD is committed to accessing these funds to benefit Anoka County taxpayers in proportion to sales tax paid in the county. ACD strives to keep overhead costs down while expanding services. 

Making Sense of the Dollars
Although governed by an elected board, conservation districts lack taxing authority and must secure funds from multiple sources. Overall revenue decreased in 2025 by nearly $900K, largely due to a decrease in state funds. County funds, while representing a smaller percentage of ACD's budget, are critical to cover general operations because many grants do not cover overhead expenses.

Making Dollars of the Cents
ACD collaborates with cities, watershed management groups, state agencies, county departments, non-profits, and landowners on projects of mutual interest. The 2025 revenue chart begins to convey this but does not show the 122 projects and programs supported by 27 distinct funding sources. On average, for every locally derived dollar, ACD leverages over four dollars from outside the county.

Diversify, Economize, Invest
Among ACD's many funding sources is revenue from the sale of our patented Rain Guardian pretreatment chambers, which exceeded $900K in 2025. Through zero-based budgeting, we annually trim underperforming programs. We also strategically invest to optimize dividend revenues and to enhance our in-house capacity with facilities and equipment.

Interactive Financials Dashboard

For details on 2025 or prior year financials, explore ACD's interactive financials dashboard (shown above), or review our financial statements and audits at https://anokaswcd.org/about-us/financials.html. For more information contact Chris Lord, District Manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Minnesota's natural resources play an important role in the state's economy and the quality of life of its residents. Protecting and managing those natural resources is a large responsibility shared by many. Individuals interested in helping lead these efforts are encouraged to run for Supervisor of their local Soil and Water Conservation District.

Two Supervisor positions at the Anoka Conservation District will be on the November 2026 ballot. This position is a four-year term and usually requires one to three meetings monthly for which a stipend is provided. Serving as a supervisor offers residents concerned with natural resource management in Anoka County an opportunity to participate in policy development at the local, regional, and state levels. 

The candidate filing period is May 19 through June 2, 2026. Interested individuals may contact the Anoka County Elections Office at 763-324-1300 for filing information. A $20 filing fee is required, and candidates will receive a filing packet outlining election regulations.

All eligible voters may vote for each open position. However, candidates must reside in the nominated district for the position in question. Supervisors do not participate in primary elections.

For the 2026 election, the following districts will be on the ballot:
District 2 – Andover and Coon Rapids
District 3 – Blaine, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Hilltop, and Spring Lake Park

For more information contact Kathy Berkness, Office Administrator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Advanced street sweeping studies are being completed by ACD staff to identify locations where strategically increasing the frequency of sweeping would result in the greatest water quality benefits to the Rum and Mississippi rivers. The highest priority areas for this effort are typically those with limited existing stormwater treatment and/or high roadside tree canopy cover, both of which contribute to increased pollutant loads in stormwater. 

The photo above shows a street sweeping prioritization map produced through the enhanced street sweeping analysis for the City of St. Francis; green indicates the highest priority streets, and red indicates the lowest, for achieving water quality improvements to the Rum River. These analyses are also being completed for portions of Ramsey, Andover, and Anoka. Detailed reports and recommendations will be provided to these cities upon the completion of these studies. For more information contact Breanna Keith, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

At Soderville Park in Ham Lake, Minnesota, staff from the Anoka Conservation District (ACD) recently tested a new method for disposing of invasive buckthorn. Instead of creating smoky burn piles, they used a biochar kiln called the Ring of Fire.

The Ring of Fire is a type of biochar kiln designed to burn organic material (biomass)—such as wood and plant debris—in a low-oxygen, high-temperature environment. Compared to traditional burn piles, this process is more efficient and significantly reduces smoke, emissions, and environmental impact.

Traditional burn piles turn biomass into ash, which can generate large amounts of smoke, damage soils, and increase erosion. They also leave burn scars on the landscape that can persist for years, creating disturbed areas where invasive species may spread more easily.

How the Ring of Fire Works

The Ring of Fire works differently. The kiln is packed tightly with sticks and branches and then lit from the top. The flame at the top consumes oxygen from above, while the biomass inside the kiln is superheated with radiant heat. Instead of burning completely to ash, the material below undergoes a process called pyrolysis, in which the heated biomass is transformed into biochar—a stable, carbon-rich material similar to charcoal. 

When biochar is incorporated into the soil, that carbon can remain stored for hundreds to thousands of years, effectively locking atmospheric carbon into the ground rather than releasing it back into the atmosphere.

Biochar also provides ecological benefits for the soil. Its porous structure can bind excess nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates, reducing their availability and often favoring invasive plants. By capturing these nutrients, biochar can help slow the spread of invasive species that thrive in nutrient-rich environments.

Restoration Benefits at Soderville Park

At Soderville Park, the Ring of Fire also improved safety during the burning process. Since the fire's heat is at the top of the kiln, using the kiln prevents flames from heating the underlying peat soils, which can smolder underground if ignited.

After the burn, the biochar was spread in areas with high weed pressure. By absorbing excess nutrients in these soils, the biochar may give native plants—many of which are adapted to lower-nutrient conditions—a competitive advantage over invasive species.

By turning buckthorn piles into biochar, the Ring of Fire offers a creative way to support restoration goals while reducing smoke, protecting soils, and storing carbon.

- Article and photos by Lauren Schmeltzer

Staff from ACD, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Minnesota Native Landscapes (the construction contractor) are shown above during the construction of a wetland restoration at Martin's Meadows in the City of Andover. Project collaborators not pictured above include The Nature Conservancy and the City of Andover. Several similar collaborative wetland restoration efforts are planned for both public and private properties soon! Contact ACD if you're interested in wetland restoration on your property.

The University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL), conducted a study that researched three distinct hydrodynamic phenomena that are produced by common recreational powerboats and that have the potential to impact the water column and lakebed: 1) bow and stern pressure waves, 2) transverse gravity waves, and 3) propeller wash (Figure 3). 

The study examines common boat designs, their ability to generate certain forces within the lake, and how deep into the water column these forces penetrate. SAFL researchers found that impacts to the lakebed are directly linked to how the boat is being used. Recreational boats have long produced damaging waves, but in recent years, the SAFL has recognized that the science has not kept pace with advances in boat technology. As powerboats continue to increase in size, horsepower, and new wake-enhancing technologies. This has led to concerns about the impacts of boating on the aquatic environment. In particular, the impacts of wakeboats operating in wakesurfing mode are a topic of intense public interest. 

The boats were tested under conditions typical of their usage (Figure 1). For the non-wakeboats (deck and bowrider), this was displacement mode (leisure cruise) and planing mode (cruising), and for the wakeboats, this was semi-displacement mode (surfing) and planing mode (cruising). The boats were driven directly over the measurement sensors (Figure 2) a total of five times for each operational condition to gather replicate data for statistical analysis.

 In 2025, 25 residential pollinator habitat projects were funded through the Lawns to Legumes Pollinator Pathways program, contributing over 17,000 sq ft of pollinator habitat to Anoka County residential areas! This program seeks to benefit at-risk pollinator species, such as the Monarch Butterfly and the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, by increasing native plant resources in residential areas and raising awareness of pollinator conservation practices.

Eligible project practices include:
- Native pocket plantings
- Beneficial flowering tree and shrub plantings
- Pollinator-friendly lawns
- Pollinator meadows

Grant recipients can receive professional assistance with garden design, construction specifications, and maintenance. Interested landowners should review the cost-share program fact sheet. Ideal candidates will be committed to maintaining the project, as this program aims to demonstrate high-quality pollinator habitat projects. Complete this Google Form to request an application, or contact Jordi Johnson, Restoration Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..