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Native Landscaping
Minnesota is home to a variety of native plants that provide a low maintenance and beautiful landscape while eliminating the need for fertilizers and excessive water use in your garden. The way we manage our yards and gardens can have a significant effect on our environment. You can have a beautiful, healthy yard that is also environmentally friendly.
Current Projects
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Hasenbank Woods Restoration
The Waters Edge Water Quality Park and Hasenbank Woods Restoration project incorporates three distinct aspects to improve habitat, water quality and park usability over a period of three to five years.
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Prescribed Burns
Prescribed burns take place in various locations throughout the city to enhance vegetation management.
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Valley Creek Park Project
The city received a grant from the Department of Natural Resources to improve the habitat of the oak woodland, oak savanna, prairie and wetlands.
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Vegetation Management around Stormwater Basins
The city has started the process of maintaining vegetation around basins along trails and in parks for additional water quality benefits.
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City Hall Woods
The city and Great River Greening have a shared interest in improving areas of native vegetation and have partnered to improve pollinator and wildlife habitat in the wooded and wetland area south of City Hall referred to as the City Hall Woods.
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Marsh Creek/Savanna Oaks Park
The city received a grant from the State of Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to improve the pollinator and wildlife habitat of woodland, grassland, and wetland buffer areas within the Marsh Creek/Savanna Oaks Park (north of Lake Road).
Check out these local resources for more information and ideas on planting your native garden:
- Blue Thumb: an educational resource for planting a native garden, rain garden, or for shoreline stabilization.
- Landscaping with Native Plants: published by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
- Master Gardeners in Washington County: provides resources for answering all types of gardening questions, including the best native plants for your garden.
- Minnesota Pollinator Resources: Information, gardening resources, and plant lists for attracting pollinators.
- Minnesota State Horticulture Society: provides information on garden clubs in the area with monthly speakers and plant sales.
- Purchase Compost Bin or Rain Barrel: rain barrels offer a resourceful way to keep rainwater on your property that may be later used to water your gardens while reducing your water bill.
- Wild Ones: focuses on native plants with monthly speakers and field trips
- Prairie Restorations
Information on grants or cost-share programs for rain gardens available to Washington County residents can be found on the following watershed websites:
Please note: this list is for informational purposes only. The city does not endorse any native plant vendor over another.