By Mollee Francisco

It sounds kind of corny, but the Twin Cities Osprey Project has gone above and beyond.

“The goal when we started this project,” said Judy Voigt Englund, coordinator of the Twin Cities Osprey Project, “was to get to the point where we have 10-15 active nests. This year, we’re at 54.”

By Forrest Adams
A doctor of philosophy in the subject of ornamental grasses and a professor of horticulture at the University of Minnesota, Mary Meyer is now the interim director at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

WASHINGTON – Testifying before a Congressional committee, Ducks Unlimited Chief Biologist, Dale Humburg identified several key factors in declining bird populations across North America: Loss of grassland nesting habitat, deterioration of coastal wetlands and loss of protected wetlands in all parts of the country.

“Changes in bird numbers and their distribution can be taken as strong signals that key environmental functions are ‘broken,’” said Humburg. “Birds serve as the proverbial “canary in the coal mine,” but on a continental scale.”

The state of Minnesota is accepting applications and nominations for its Governor’s Award Program for Pollution Prevention. Projects that reduce waste and pollution at its source, conserve natural resources, protect groundwater, save energy and practice sustainability are eligible for the award. Applications will be accepted until noon on Aug. 1, 2008.
The release said that the state is accepting nominations in three categories:

The following is a slide show featuring the Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission's annual parks tour Monday.

Learn more about the Parks Commission here: http://www.edenprairie.org/vCurrent/live/article.asp?r=1480

Members of the Tree Trust’s Youth Conservation Corps are spending the summer constructing a timber edger at the Richard T. Anderson Nature Preserve in Eden Prairie.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. − July 7, 2008 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its preliminary report today on mid-continent breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys conducted in May and early June. Total duck populations were estimated at 37.3 million breeding ducks on the surveyed area. This estimate represents a 9 percent decline over last year's estimate of 41.2 million birds, but remains 11 percent above the 1955-2007 long-term average.

Greg Thompson of the Izaak Walton League will share ideas designed to get more enjoyment out of yards and gardens as well as benefit the environment in a presentation from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Pax Christi. He’ll talk about how to reduce water usage and explain measures that conserve and effectively use rainfall. Thompson also plans to explain how to reduce pollution of lakes, ponds and wetlands from stormwater run-off. The presentation will include techniques for creating habitats for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.