Shingle Creek Watershed Management Organization

05/20/2026

Fall is one of the best times to plant for pollinators—and we’ll guide you every step of the way. 🍂🌼

Lawns to Legumes: Habitat at Home is a free, guided program that supports you through the process of creating or improving pollinator habitat, with guidance timed to the season.

You’ll start with site prep this summer, then move into plant selection, installation, and fall care. As the season winds down, we’ll cover seed collection, winter sowing, and how to support pollinators through the colder months.

Planting in fall gives native plants a head start—stronger roots, less watering, and better success next spring. Habitat at Home helps you take advantage of that window with step-by-step support along the way.

Join Lawns to Legumes: Habitat at Home at https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/habitat-at-home/



Habitat at Home is offered through Lawns to Legumes, a collaborative state-funded effort administered by Blue Thumb and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.

04/24/2026

May in Minnesota means native plant sales! 🌼🛒

Our 2026 list of Minnesota native plant sales covers both the Twin Cities and outstate areas. Find native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees—often at great prices! Some sales require pre-orders, so now’s the perfect time to make your plan.

Visit our full spring sales list here: https://bluethumb.org/spring-native-plant-sales-in-minnesota/

Then, use Blue Thumb resources to plan your project for clean water and pollinators! 💧🐝

08/08/2025

🌼 Blue Thumb Fall Native Plant Sale 🍁

📅 Saturday, Sept 20 | 10am–1pm
📍 Valley Community Presbyterian Church, Golden Valley

Fall is a fantastic time to plant. While summer stock can run low, many nurseries refresh their inventory for fall planting. 🍂

✅ You can still find most native species you’re excited about
✅ Can’t find your first pick? Our plant experts can help suggest great alternatives
✅ Fall is not a compromise — it’s a smart, successful time to grow!

Join us September 20 to shop plants from local growers and get expert support for your pollinator garden, restoration project, or eco-friendly yard upgrade: https://bluethumb.org/fall-native-plant-sale/

MNL Blazing Star Gardens Northern Holler Ecoscapes Sustainable Landscaping

08/08/2025

Continued work to restore Crystal Lake.

06/30/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16syRTJRVd/

06/03/2025

Aquatic invasive species, like zebra mussels and curly-leaf pondweed, can cause lasting damage to native fish and plant populations affecting lake recreation, human health, property values, and the economy. Everyone has a responsibility to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species! Learn more and get involved on Lake Pledge at www.lakepledge.com or download the Lake Pledge app on Apple’s App Store or Google Play.
Illustration credit: Rachel Dunlap.

12/05/2024

As we enter winter, here's a few tips in mind to keep your rain garden healthy and functioning:

❄ Do not plow or shovel snow into your rain garden. Excess snowpack on your garden can compact the soil and minimize its infiltration capacity.

❄ Mark the boundaries of your garden to ensure that snow plows and shovels don’t cause damage.

❄ Keep de-icing salt from sidewalks and roads out of the rain garden area. Excessive accumulation of salt in rain gardens can be toxic to your plants.

12/04/2024

12/04/2024

As winter sets in and the snow begins to accumulate, something else begins to accumulate in our waterways—salt. While many of us rely on salt to keep driveways and sidewalks clear, excessive salt use is harming Minnesota's lakes and rivers. Every year, an estimated 445,000 tons of chloride-containing salt are spread across pavements, eventually running off into storm drains and entering freshwater systems. This changes water chemistry and harms aquatic life. In fact, 50 waterbodies in the state are impaired due to excess chloride, with nearly 120 more approaching the limit.
It only takes one teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute 5 gallons of water. Even small concentrations can negatively affect fish, invertebrates, and water quality, while salt accumulation over time degrades shoreline health. Though there are no environmentally safe alternatives to de-icing salt yet, smart salting strategies can help reduce chloride pollution without compromising safety.
• Shovel and Scrape: Removing snow and ice reduces the need for salt.
• Avoid Salt Below 15°F: Salt stops working at this temperature. Use sand for traction instead.
• Use the Right Amount: 12 ounces (about a coffee mug full) treats a 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk squares. Apply salt evenly and only where needed.
• Sweep Up Excess Salt: Leftover salt doesn’t melt ice and washes into water. Reuse it next time.
• Wear Proper Footwear: Choose shoes with good traction and walk cautiously to avoid icy spots.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) offers training, certifications, and tools to help businesses and homeowners practice smart salting. Visit their Smart Salting webpage for more resources on reducing salt use and protecting water quality. By making these simple changes, we can keep our roads safe and our waters clean.

11/08/2024

Thousands of Minnesotans are also helping out by adopting drains in their neighborhoods which they volunteer to clean.