Did You Know Series

December 3, 2024 by Olivia Olson

When someone mentions forests, what comes to mind? You might think of large swaths of land covered with trees and other plants, perhaps older wooded ecosystems that have been around for decades or centuries. However, there is another type of forest that has gained traction over the past couple of decades, called pocket forests. This type of high-density forest was developed to be implemented on small scales - parcels (or “pockets”) of land anywhere from the size of a parking spot to a backyard, or larger if the land is available. 

November 5, 2024 by Nicole Lundeen

A watershed is an area of land that channels rainfall and snowmelt to streams, rivers, and lakes.

October 1, 2024 by Kristi Rorah

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources' (BWSR) Lawns 2 Legumes program is a great benefit for homeowners looking to create pollinator-friendly habitats in their yards.

September 3, 2024 by Olivia Olson

A pocket prairie is a small-scale native prairie planting under a few acres in size or can be as small as a garden bed.

August 6, 2024 by Mitchell Janson

Irrigation plays a vital role in the sustainability of many farms in the Central Sands Region of Minnesota. Approximately 18% of the irrigated acres in Minnesota are in Otter Tail and Wadena County. 

July 2, 2024 by Alyson Levig

What plant comes to mind when you hear the word ‘weed’? Canadian Thistle? Crown Vetch? Amur Maple? Maybe even Wild Parsnip? Well, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has these, as well as fifty-three other species listed on their official Noxious Weed List under the state’s Noxious Weed Law.

June 4, 2024 by Alyson Levig

When it comes to aquatic invasive species (AIS), zebra mussels, starry stonewort, and spiny waterflea are typically the hot topics of the conversation. But did you know that a lesser-known aquatic invasive species quietly made its debut in Wadena County in 2009 and has slowly infested three major lakes?