Natural Resources News

We often hear reminders to watch for zebra mussels in our lakes, but this summer there’s another, lesser-known bivalve to keep your eyes out for: the invasive freshwater golden clam.

Homeowners and woodland owners can ensure that trees survive through dry periods by watering them. However, it is important to be strategic in how much and how often you water trees.

Curious about the water under our feet and protecting your private well during a drought?

Pollinators are the glue holding our food system together and key connectors between the plant and animal world. This National Pollinators Week, learn how pollinators can help us appreciate and support our connections to the diversity of the natural world and each other.

Stop the spread of invasive species with these PlayCleanGo Awareness Week tips.

The volunteer been active in the Rochester Chapter in southeastern Minnesota since 2009 and has taught several classes on the biomes of Minnesota.

Garlic mustard is an invasive species in Minnesota, but there can be fun (and food!) when managing this pesky plant.

Wild violets come in over 100 different varieties. Although they all are edible, some are more palatable than others. Learn how to identify, harvest and eat wild violet, as well as the indigenous philosophy of the plant.

Our new blog series will introduce you to a host of wild-grown edible plants and talk about the importance of proper identification, sustainability and etiquette when bringing them to your table. This week we focus on the many uses of cattails.

Because the rusty patched bumble bee is so uncommon, researchers haven’t been able to observe nesting behaviors for over 25 years. But that has begun to change.

Adding trees and shrubs can provide aesthetic, environmental and financial benefits. Get some tips on choosing the best ones for your landscape.

It's the end of Citizen Science Month! In this podcast episode, we talk with Dr. Lucy Fortson from the University of Minnesota about Zooniverse, a website where millions of people participate in citizen science research.

New podcast features Extension Forestry and Horticulture faculty talking about spring care for your trees, yards and gardens.

It's National Volunteer Week, and we'd like to celebrate by sharing a great contribution to science by Extension volunteers.

Jumping worms are a new and unwelcome invasive species in Minnesota. Learn how to prevent accidental spread of this nuisance worm to your landscape.

Keep yourself busy this winter by taking part in our weekly nature activity challenge. This week celebrate the end of winter by making a cake for your backyard birds.

Oak savanna has lost over 99% of its historic range—how can we restore this imperiled ecosystem? Discover a research project that is looking into silvopasture as a potential solution, and how partnering with Extension gives this fix a fighting chance.

In Minnesota, sap usually runs from about March 15 to April 20, but this year’s mild temperatures have the sap running early. Learn how to collect sap before this year's maple syrup season is over.

Keep yourself busy this winter by taking part in our weekly nature activity challenge. This week take some time to view the beauty of snowflakes up-close.

Learn about the science behind the high-risk season for oak wilt, one of Minnesota's most dangerous diseases of oak trees.

Keep yourself busy this winter by taking part in our weekly nature activity challenge. This week see if you can find one of these special imprints in the snow.

Extension educator Angie Gupta reflects on the impacts of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan activist focused on conservation, community development and women’s rights.

Keep yourself busy this winter by taking part in our weekly nature activity challenge. This week find a citizen science project that you might like to join.

Voluntary forest carbon markets are a growing opportunity. Landowners are paid for the carbon storage and sequestration that their trees provide.

Keep yourself busy this winter by taking part in our weekly nature activity challenge. This week see if you can find an animal wearing winter camouflage.

Keep yourself busy this winter by taking part in our weekly nature activity challenge. This week we're getting down and dirty to examine what our local wildlife has left behind.

Keep yourself busy this winter by taking part in our weekly nature activity challenge. This week visit some open water to see what animals you can spot.

Chaga can be found on birch trees in forests across Minnesota and is prized for its medicinal uses.

Looking for ways to keep yourself busy this winter? Once a week for the next 12 weeks we will share a new nature activity for you to try, and we're kicking it off with owling!

Family woodland owners are some of Minnesota's greatest stewards of our forests.

Payments for carbon sequestration can diversify revenue streams for private woodland owners.

Squirrels are pretty smart when it comes to stealing birdseed from backyard feeders. Stopping them can be tricky, but what might keep the squirrels away could also hurt the birds you want to attract.

Kathy Kneeland, Robbinsdale Area Schools, is engaging students through the University of Minnesota Outdoor Investigations in the STEM Classroom program.

Poorly applied deicing salts can pollute groundwater, burn plants, and raise salt levels in soil.

12-year-old William Guthrie found a golden clam (Corbicula fluminea) while at an event to look for starry stonewort.

With deer hunting season well underway and many people in the woods, it's a great time to learn more about a deer's diet and how to identify deer browse.

You can take several steps to help your trees through the winter ahead.

You can help reduce the spread of invasive species by reporting what you find while out in the woods using the Great Lakes Early Detection Network app.

Extreme early cold temperatures killed many green leaves and now we see them still hanging on the trees. These dead leaves are referred to as marcescent leaves.

Popular landscape shrub winged Euonymus or burning bush has been added to the State Noxious Weed List as a Specially Regulated Plant.

Brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species. In fall, they get inside homes and other buildings as they seek shelter for the winter.

Read more about which tree and woodland sequestered the most carbon in 2020.

Master Naturalist Sherry Kutter discovers rough potato, an invasive species not seen in the U.S. since the '50s.

Once planted for showy flowers and the ability to grow in poor sites, Japanese knotweed has been growing in Minnesota for many years, but its invasiveness is increasing. 

Garlic mustard can be difficult to identify and control. Here are some tips to manage this invasive species.

Red pine is an iconic species in Minnesota. How well it does in the future will depend on the climate and how it is grown.

New document outlines likely climate change outcomes in Minnesota and its effect on forests and forest management.

Oak wilt risk is low now in Minnesota, so you may be seeing another major disease that shows symptoms in August, bur oak blight or BOB.

Wild cucumber vine is growing all over their fences, gardens and the side of the road. Its strange, spiky fruit adds to its mystery.

New document encourages woodland owners in Minnesota to create a Woods Health Scorecard to adapt their property to climate change.

The Backyard Bumble Bee Count will help to conserve the endangered rusty patched bumble bee and all bumble bees.

Trees that are stressed from drought, poor planting practices, or other factors are more likely to suffer from needle cast.

As spring progresses and we follow Governor Walz’s #StayHomeMN order, many people are looking for ways to get outdoors and attract wildlife, particularly pollinators, to their yards and gardens. Luckily, UMN Extension and the UMN Bee Lab are ready for you!

Learn more about the value of trees in the carbon cycle in the Minnesota Tree and Woodland Carbon Capture Challenge.

Here are seven native tree species that you can consider for replacing ash trees destroyed by emerald ash borer.

A review of what you need to know for getting outdoors safely and what the stay-at-home order means for outdoor recreation.

To help prevent oak wilt, avoid pruning or wounding oak trees in April, May and June. 

Extension and the Raptor Center team up on Outdoor Investigations in the STEM Classroom.

Several invasive plants are early to emerge in Minnesota. Learn how reporting invasive species works, what to look for and how you can help.

A good pair of binoculars can help you tune in to nature and observe the plants, birds and other animals you see around your neighborhood. Whether you are dusting off your old pair of binoculars, borrowing or buying some, there are some issues and adjustments to keep in mind.

People who are looking for things to do while staying close to home can become citizen scientists and help hunt for a potentially troublesome flower.

Are you practicing social distancing, but feeling stressed, worried about cooped-up kids, and wanting to maintain your health through exercise? Here are some ideas.

Edible berries can attract birds and other critters to your yard and add bright color to snowy landscapes.

Fall and spring are good times to plant trees, providing you water and care for them as needed. Gary Johnson, University of Minnesota Extension urban forester give recommendations on which ones to plant.

Master Naturalists make a difference by volunteering for nonprofits, state agencies, nature centers and University research programs. One project they are working on is researching native mussels.

Karen Terry, Extension water resources educator, talks to Brian Whittemore of ICTV and Itasca Waters about how you can best maintain and protect the habitat surrounding your shoreline. 

This fall, identify and remove noxious and invasive plant species on your property.

University of Minnesota Extension is bringing awareness to black swallow-wort, Cynanchum louiseae, an invasive plant originally brought to the U.S. from Europe as an ornamental vine. The plant presents a problem for monarch butterflies, which already face challenges to their survival, and it threatens natural areas.

Currently the markets for ash wood are limited, but two recent projects aim to change that by demonstrating innovative ways to use urban and ash wood.

Fast-growing trees such as hybrid poplar can have many benefits and uses, such as heat, electricity, lumber, and even fuel and plastics!

Wild cucumber are very opportunist and hardy, so if you spotted the plant last year you will likely see it again this year. Early control is the easiest way to keep these plants at bay.

During cool, wet spring seasons, a variety of fungal diseases affecting trees and shrubs flare up. Find out how to look for common fungal diseases in your trees.

Did you know that trees can be incorporated in many agricultural systems? The intentional integration of trees or shrubs with crops and animals in the same area is called agroforestry, and it results in a more diverse agricultural operation, increased profits, and conservation habitat improvement.

The rusty patched bumble bee was once found all across the eastern US and Upper Midwest. Now it is an endangered species. Extension Educator Elaine Evans is working to change that.

Find out how to plant a monarch waystation to help monarchs and other pollinators.

Extension water resources educator Karen Terry talks to Prairie Sportsman about how to improve the water quality of our rivers and lakes by preventing runoff.

Now that spring is here, homeowners may want to walk their property to look for winter damage to woody plants.