PIECES OF MINNESOTA'S PAST
Minnesota's Scientific and Natural Area program (SNA), created by the State Legislature 30 years ago, has protected 138 units of Minnesota's wild heritage - many in the Twin Cities region. These rare parcels represent the prairie grasslands, deciduous and coniferous woods, and peatlands that once defined our whole state.  They are open to the public and offer a wonderful glimpse of disappearing landscapes, but not a lot of people know about them! The Department of Natural Resources, which runs the program, hopes to change all that. They recently hosted a 30th anniversary celebration for the SNA program, they've got a complete list of all SNAs on their website (there's an SNA near you and you may not even know it), and they're offering a free 30th anniversary poster (shown above) to those who stop by their St. Paul office.
It's worth noting that a last-minute amendment from this year's legislative session could threaten the designation of new SNAs by requiring local county boards to approve their protection by the state. Local citizen awareness of proposed new sites is now even more essential. As one person testified at the legislature this year, "You've likely heard the saying 'Land - they ain't making it anymore'... This particularly applies to these SNA lands, with ecological qualities we cannot replicate."
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IN THE NEWS
Issue update: Protecting Minnetonka wetlands. The City of Minnetonka is considering modifications to its ordinance regulating wetlands. Star Tribune article
Class teaches about plants' role in lakes. It was a sunny, warm Friday, and the assistant city engineer for Minnetonka wasn't at her desk; she was canoeing on a lake. Star Tribune article
River's health is a concern. Despite a somewhat long-distance relationship, Apple Valley's residents still care about the health of the Vermillion River. Pioneer Press article
A tussle over lake property. Decades ago, the fellow who would one day be one of the state's richest men bought some shoreline on Lake Minnetonka. Star Tribune article
From Eden Prairie to Jordan: Three discover the southwest suburbs by trail. Among other places, the trio of bikers visited Birch Island Woods and Seminary Fen. Op-ed, Eden Prairie News
Birch Island Woods supporters turn to 'Plan E'. For the Friends of Birch Island Woods, "Plan E" means "every dollar helps" in the plan to purchase and preserve the woods. Sun Newspapers article
Residents need to be concerned about the Vermillion's health. The Vermillion River, which has pumped millions of gallons through what we call Hastings, is part of an endangered habitat. Hastings Star Gazette editorial
Trouble upstream for the Vermillion River. Making the Vermillion River swimmable again is a priority for local and state government. Hastings Star Gazette article
Levy for nature center on Fridley ballot. Fridley voters will get a chance to vote this fall on the future of the Springbrook Nature Center. Star Tribune article
Development with a sense of self. Chaska residents' goal to hold on to their city's "small town" charm is being tested as the city readies for a massive new development. Star Tribune article
Jonathan foreshadowed suburbs of today. Before "new urbanism" came into vogue, creative minds put together a prototype for a 21st-century planned suburban community. Star Tribune editorial
Builders face off with Mahtomedi residents over in-fill. Several Mahtomedi neighbors are working to stop a local developer from cutting down trees to develop home sites. Star Tribune article
Township land lures mining company. Sherburne County residents fear a proposed gravel pit will create noise and traffic, and drive out local wildlife. St. Cloud Times article
Mississippi River cleanup initiative announced after race between Minnesota, Wisconsin governors. Following a Grand Excursion riverboat race, two governors announced an initiative to renew efforts to clean up the Mississippi River. Winona Daily News article
Maiden's myth lives on. Maiden Rock, the landmark limestone bluff towering above Lake Pepin, was acquired Tuesday by the West Wisconsin Land Trust for $1 million. Pioneer Press article
Scott County Board turns down amphitheater. The Scott County board has unanimously denied a music promoter's request to build a 19,500-seat amphitheater just north of Jordan. Star Tribune article
River on the edge. During the 150 years between Grand Excursions, the Mississippi has experienced massive change - for good and ill. Pioneer Press article
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 INTERVIEW
Glen J. Skovholt
Chair, Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission
You've been active in politics and public service for many years. How can the issue of open spaces be elevated on the public policy agenda?
I believe it already is high on the agenda. We have a great parks and open space system today because the public and public officials have understood its importance and have been willing to make the necessary investments. The challenge is to make sure it remains a priority in the coming years. The current regional park system is not sufficient to accommodate the additional million people who are expected to live in the metropolitan area by 2030.
Is there an economic stake in open space protection and preservation?
Definitely, yes! When residents were asked in a recent survey to identify the most important asset in the metropolitan area, the number one asset, cited by more than 33% of the respondents, is our natural resources. Clearly our natural resources are vital to increasing the attractiveness and economic competitiveness of our region. In recent studies, corporate CEOs said quality of life for employees is the third-most important factor in locating a business, behind only access to domestic markets and availability of skilled labor. And owners of small companies ranked recreation, parks, and open space as the highest priority in choosing a new location for their business.
What makes a difference to appointed policymakers like yourself or elected officials when citizens contact you?
Explain why your position is good policy for the general public. Be as objective as you can, and give facts or examples whenever possible. You will make a stronger case for your position if you take time to understand the merits of the other point of view. Decisions on policy matters are seldom black and white.
Considering the projected growth and development in the Twin Cities over the next 10 years, what are the greatest unmet needs in our regional park system?
One, our camping facilities are at or nearing capacity, so there is a real need to provide for more camping opportunities. Two, there has been impressive growth in our trail system, but the system is far from complete and the demand keeps growing. Of the 30 million users of the regional park system in 2003, trails were the most heavily used part of the system.
Do parks in urban areas face different issues than those in suburban areas? In rural areas?
In general, yes. In urban areas, most of the available park land has already been acquired, and the parks are heavily used. So, from the standpoint of investing regional park resources, most of the funds are used for renovating and improving existing facilities. When you get to the edges of the metropolitan area, the need is to acquire land at a reasonable price, to protect it, and perhaps defer development until a later date.
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RESOURCES
The latest report from 1000 Friends of Minnesota, "Managing Growth in Minnesota's Growth Corridor," examines demographic and land area changes in 22 of the fastest-growing counties of Minnesota, as well as planning and growth management efforts in those counties. Here's the executive summary. (PDF format)
If you're a paddler in the Twin Cities, check out Minnesota's 23 designated canoe routes. In this area, that means the St. Croix, Mississippi, Minnesota, Vermillion, Rum, and Crow Wing rivers. This Department of Natural Resources site includes maps, cultural information, access points, campsites, rest areas, and more.
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YOUR SKILLS NEEDED
Photographers, grab your cameras, run to the river, and enter the Friends of the Mississippi River's 2004 photo contest. Intended to raise awareness of the beauty and value of the Twin Cities' stretch of the Mississippi, the contest closes on September 10.
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GET INVOLVED
There are citizen action groups working to protect open spaces all over the Twin Cities area - find out if there's one near you and join up.
Online registration and pledging are now available for the August 7-8 HealthPartners Mississippi River Challenge. Limited to 500 participants. Register today online.
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WORTH A VISIT
 Anoka County's Joseph E. Wargo Nature Center is nestled on a beautiful peninsula overlooking George Watch Lake, and is part of the 2,550 acre Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve.
Native plant and animal life abounds. Visitors may see muskrats, red fox, gray and red squirrel, woodchuck, weasel, deer, resident birds such as pheasant and pileated woodpeckers, and a variety of migratory waterfowl. Habitats are rich and varied, and include heavily wooded areas, wetlands, prairie, lakes, flood plains, and open fields. While wildlife can be viewed in comfort from the interpretive center, easily accessible, self-guided trails will lead the more adventurous through this wonderfully diverse, natural community.
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EVENTS
July
30 - Celebration of the recent purchase and protection of the Wayzata Big Woods, Trust for Public Land and Friends of the Wayzata Big Woods, 5-6:30 p.m., 1221 Wayzata Boulevard, Wayzata.
August
1 - Canoeing the Cannon River, Sierra Club outing.
10 - Buckthorn seedling pull in St. Paul, 6-8 p.m., Mississippi River Blvd. and Eustis St., sponsored by the Mississippi Gorge Stewards and the Friends of the Mississippi River.
12 - Thursday night hike in Clifton E. French Regional Park, Sierra Club.
14 - Endangered Green Spaces Outing - canoeing the Lower St. Croix River, Sierra Club.
21 - Exploring the Geology of Minnehaha Falls, 10 a.m.-noon, Friends of the Mississippi Special Places Tour.
26 - Thursday night hike at Ft. Snelling State Park, Sierra Club.
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RECOMMENDED READS
 Worlds within a World. The late Paul Gruchow, one of Minnesota's great nature writers, visited 12 of Minnesota's Scientific and Natural Areas and shares his reflections about them in this beautiful book, full of color photography and field notes.
 The Forest for the Trees: How Humans Shaped the North Woods, by Jeff Forester. This new book traces the history of the North Woods in Minnesota and the changing attitudes of humans to them, from the original Ojibwe and Dakota tribes through the 1999 blow-down in the Boundary Waters to the future effects of global warming and the promise of restoration forestry. Minnesota Historical Society Press.
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