Biodiversity is worth saving
Big Marine Park Expansion Beaver Pond
Pollinator Friendly Alliance can accomplish important conservation projects in major part due to our partnerships. In 2024, we began a multi-year biodiversity project at the new expansion of Big Marine Park in May Township of 1800 acres. This land is being acquired in phases by Washington County Parks. Since 1958, the Kelley family kept much of this tract of grasslands, forests, lakes, and wetlands in excellent condition through animal grazing. Some of the natural areas on this property were left untouched. As a result, this land has high biodiversity significance and is our top priority conservation area. At-risk and threatened animal species call these 1800 acres home. We have already begun conducting biological surveys to inventory birds, herps, pollinators and other wildlife. The goal of this project is to preserve the wild nature of this area and protect habitats and keystone species. This multi-phase project includes converting 24 acres of old agricultural fields into native prairie with high quality pollinator nectar and pollen sources plus a protected turtle nesting area. In the wetlands, turtle guards and a turtle tunnel to prevent turtle fatalities across the adjacent county road will be installed. To protect keystone beaver families, beaver floatation devices will be installed in two waterways. In our partnership with the University of Minnesota, Cornell Ornithology and Bird City, nesting boxes will be installed based on Fall 2025 survey results. Inventories of pollinators, birds, herps and wildlife will continue in years 2025-2027. Some of the at-risk wildlife include short-eared owls, trumpeter swans, river otters, threatened rusty patched bumble bee and Blanding's turtle. Finally, Pollinator Friendly Alliance in partnership with the University of Minnesota, Beaver Innovations, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Bird City and Minnesota Herpetological Society will advise Washington County Parks on the park plan to ensure the wild nature is preserved for wildlife and for future generations. You can watch the progress of this project on our website at: https://www.pollinatorfriendly.org/habitat-projects
Installing bird listening devices, Cornell University and Avian Bioacoustics Lab at University of Minnesota, for bird inventory
Old turtle protection fence along County Rd 170th next to wetland will be replaced with new fencing to guide turtles to the underground turtle tunnel to cross the road safely
