ACD and the Martin Lakers Association are working together this summer to reduce invasive carp populations in Martin Lake through targeted carp harvests. Our first successful harvest of the season took place in late July, with 58 carp removed. Box nets, designed and installed by Carp Solutions, were deployed at two strategic locations on the lake. The carp are gradually conditioned to feed at these box nets using cracked corn as bait. 

ACD wraps up another successful annual tree sale! Over 26,000 trees were purchased as bare-root seedlings in bundles of ten or twenty-five. We offered a variety of species including black cherry, mixed oak, maple, lilac, pine trees, and a variety of native prairie seed mixes. We had perfect weather on pick-up day and our staff enjoyed getting the chance to meet and engage with the 466 tree sale customers. Thank you to everyone who purchased trees and helped support local conservation efforts! Check out a recap of our 2025 Tree Sale below! 

This ACD video showcases a successfully completed rain garden that was built on a city outlot in St. Francis, MN. This rain garden was funded through the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, with additional funds from the Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization. The City of St. Francis will provide project maintenance. This video combines real footage, motion graphics, and 3D animation to showcase the entire construction process and illustrate the process of building a rain garden with an underdrain system. The underdrain system is largely hidden underground, so this video is intended to help inform on what a underdrain system may look like. For more information contact Brian Clark, Natural Resource Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In 2023, ACD coordinated the installation of several lakeshore restorations on Lake George, in northwestern Anoka County. High lake levels this spring, mixed with heavy winds, resulted in several of the projects being damaged. This summer, ACD staff and a Conservation Corps field crew were able to make repairs and enhance the projects so that they will be prepared for future weather events. For more information contact Brian Clark, Natural Resource Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.