In 1976, Minnesota residents fought plans for landfills and development along their river valley; 50 years later, the refuge they helped create protects more than 15,000 acres

In 1976, Minnesota residents fought plans for landfills and development along their river valley; 50 years later, the refuge they helped create protects more than 15,000 acres

Conservation challenges remain part of the conversation and the anniversary panel will examine issues facing the Minnesota River Valley, including water quality, flooding and development along the river’s bluffs. Half a century ago, a stretch of Minnesota river country faced a very different future. Plans for landfills and development threatened the Minnesota River bottoms, prompting…

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Mike Niziolek spent thirty years transforming his 150-acre property into a wetland, now the former AP biology teacher is creating 'bio supermarkets' for wildlife

Mike Niziolek spent thirty years transforming his 150-acre property into a wetland, now the former AP biology teacher is creating ‘bio supermarkets’ for wildlife

Mike Niziolek, a former AP biology teacher decided that he did not want to limit his impact in the world to his classrooms and wanted to do something for the planet he loves so much. This is why he has spent the past thirty years, returning his 150-acre property Elk River, Sherburne County, Minnesota to…

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In 1954, aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin donated over 2,500 acres of his Chesapeake Bay hunting preserve; today the refuge spans 4,548 acres and protects migratory birds

In 1954, aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin donated over 2,500 acres of his Chesapeake Bay hunting preserve; today the refuge spans 4,548 acres and protects migratory birds

Chesapeake Bay (Image Credit: iStock) A piece of Chesapeake Bay marshland that once formed part of an aviation pioneer’s private hunting preserve has become an important refuge for wildlife. What began as a donation of thousands of acres more than seven decades ago now protects tidal marshes, creeks, coves and wooded ridges used by migratory…

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In 2024, Colorado stepped up restoration for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse; two years later, a new project is expanding habitat protection

In 2024, Colorado stepped up restoration for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse; two years later, a new project is expanding habitat protection

Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Image Credit: Wikipedia) Colorado’s efforts to protect the threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse are gaining momentum as conservationists work to restore the streamside habitat the tiny species depends on. In northern Colorado, restoration has focused on improving riparian areas, reconnecting streams with their floodplains and encouraging landowners to protect suitable habitat….

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In 1964, Elizabeth Hird and her husband bought Connecticut's Outer Island; in 1995 she donated it in his memory so it could remain protected for wildlife, research and education

In 1964, Elizabeth Hird and her husband bought Connecticut’s Outer Island; in 1995 she donated it in his memory so it could remain protected for wildlife, research and education

Connecticut’s Outer Island (Image Credit: outerisland.org) In 1964, Elizabeth Hird and her husband, Basil Rauch, purchased Outer Island as a summer retreat in Connecticut’s Thimble Islands. More than three decades later, Hird made a decision that transformed the island’s future: in 1995, she donated it to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in memory of…

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Wisconsin abandoned this railway in 1964, but its old tracks became a green corridor connecting forests, wetlands and wildlife habitat

Wisconsin: Wisconsin abandoned this railway in 1964, but its old tracks became a green corridor connecting forests, wetlands and wildlife habitat | World News

Representative Image of an overgrown railway transformed into a thriving wildlife habitat (AI-generated image) Deep in the driftless hills of southwestern Wisconsin lies a railway corridor that has not carried a train since 1964, yet it remains one of the busiest routes in the region, only now the traffic moves on hooves, wings and two…

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