ACD staff have found the invasive plant, Winged Burning Bush, invading natural areas in Anoka County. This woody shrub is commonly planted in residential landscaping for its attractive, bright crimson autumn foliage color. Birds readily disperse their bright red fruits and the shrub can eventually form dense thickets like buckthorn and honeysuckle. Plants can be difficult to spot in the spring and summer months, but as fall comes, the bright red foliage is a great way to help identify this woodland invader. 

Chemical spraying is an effective treatment during the growing season, and during winter, a basal bark application can be made on larger-stemmed individuals. If there are only a few plants, then manual digging may be the most effective method of control. Some native alternatives to this invasive shrub include eastern wahoo, American hazelnut, and Highbush cranberry. For more information, contact Balin Magee, Restoration Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACD staff have been working hard this season to remove garlic mustard seed from a woodland restoration site in Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. By removing these biennial plants in their second year of growth, we aim to drastically reduce the seed source for new garlic mustard plants. With this reduced seed source, we hope to find fewer new garlic mustard plants when we return next spring. For more information, contact Jordi Johnson, Restoration Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

ACD is monitoring invasive phragmites populations around the county this month. Phragmites australis is a tall invasive grass species that can take over wetland areas, riverbanks, lakeshores, and stormwater ponds if left untreated. ACD collaborates with partners to track and control its spread. This invasive grass has a native counterpart, Phragmites australis subspecies americanus. Native Phragmites has distinct red bands along its stem, whereas the invasive species has a pale blue-green color throughout its entire stem (see picture below). 

If you notice tall grass (up to 15 feet) in a wetland, lakeshore, or roadside ditch near you, it is worth reporting on EDDMapS so that ACD staff can be aware of any new populations in the county. Follow a quick tutorial on how to use EDDMapS. For more information, contact Balin Magee, Resource Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

ACD makes it easy to spread the word about conservation by developing a series of "Conservation Starts at Home" tabletop displays and brochures. Whether you're hosting a table at an event or distributing information in another way, like at a public library, church, or school, ACD's educational materials make it easy for community members to have an impact. These resources are available to the public free of charge. 

Each year community members and agency partners use these materials at local events and distribute hundreds of brochures to the public across a wide variety of topics including :

• Backyard Habitat* - Attracting Wildlife to Your Property
• Ecosystem Health - Improving Landscapes by Increasing Diversity
• Groundwater* - Protecting Drinking Water for Generations to Come
• Invasive Species - Combating a Threat to Native Ecosystems
• Lakeshore Restorations* - Bringing Water Quality & Wildlife to Your Shore
• Native Plants* - Restoring Habitat in Anoka County
• Natural Resource Threats - Threats to Our Natural Resources
• Open Space Protection - Establishing an Enduring Legacy
• Pollinators* - Enabling Our Farms, Gardens and Natural Spaces to Thrive.
• Rain Gardens* - Treating Runoff at the Source
• Riverbank Stabilization* - Understanding Flow & Managing Erosion
• Soil Health - Unlock the Secrets in the Soil
• Stormwater Management* - Improving Water Quality and Reducing Runoff
• Water-smart* - Conserving Water at Home
• Wetlands* - Benefiting Wildlife and People

(*Display has companion brochure)

Up to three displays typically fit nicely on a table. Many of the displays have companion brochures. We are happy to provide up to twenty brochures for each topic free of charge, if you'd like. For more information contact Kathy Berkness, Office Administrator, at Kathy.Berkness@AnokaSWCD or 763-434-2030x100.

Stephanie Finch was hired as ACD's Seasonal Technician. Stephanie holds a B.S. degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Minnesota with a specialization in groundwater and geomorphology. She brings experiences from the Aitkin SWCD, the Minnesota GreenCorps program, and a seasonal position with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, collecting water quality samples across the state. She is excited to work in Anoka County's diverse range of landscapes and hopes to learn more about the county over the next few months!