Thanks to The North 40 Tavern for their support. A north woods tavern somewhere in the middle of a big city. They regularly rotate tap beers, so stop in to see what’s currently flowing.
The Lilly Lake Stewards is a new group in West St. Paul working to preserve the environmental stability of Lilly Lake. They educate homeowners on the effects of household pollution and runoff on local waterways.
Where’s Lilly Lake: The lake is located near Butler and Sperl, across from Thompson Park. While many homeowners live near its shores, much of the shoreline is city property. This group, formed in coalition with the Minnesota Water Stewards, aims to uphold and improve the environmental integrity of the lake while also making it easier for the general public to access.
Group goals: While the group is still very young, they have many plans to improve Lilly Lake. Currently, their main goal is to get the word out and get people involved, such as with their “Pitch in for Lilly Lake” yard signs around West St. Paul.
Who’s behind it: Analiese Miller is the founder of the Facebook group and one of the strongest active advocates for the ecological health of Lilly Lake. After receiving permission to restore her section of shoreline by removing invasive species and replanting natives, she decided to expand her sights to the rest of the lake, where she discovered that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) only protects the waters of Lilly Lake, not the shoreline.
“Part of my commitment as a water steward is to educate,” said Miller. “The shore is up to us. And the lake depends upon the shore… I enjoy every minute put toward improving the environment and intend to keep it up.”
How to Get Involved
The Lilly Lake Stewards work closely with the Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District. They are encouraging involvement in many of their upcoming events:
- Dakota County Tree Sale: Dakota County is hosting its annual tree sale, which the Lilly Lake Stewards encourage homeowners to attend. All trees sold are native; planting them can help with erosion prevention, create shelter for native wildlife, and more. The 2024 sale will begin in November 2023, and trees will be available for pickup in April 2024.
- Landscaping for Clean Water: Dakota County designs this program, and it is open to all residents who would like to beautify their lawns with an environmentally sustainable approach. They have many courses available, all free of charge, including:
- Intro Class
- Design Course
- Natural Shoreline Workshop
- Maintenance Workshop
Garden grant: Miller also encourages homeowners to apply for a garden grant as part of the Design Course, which offers $250 and professional support toward developing and implementing a practical rain garden on their property. Course registration opens in early 2024.
Learn more about getting involved on the Lilly Lake Stewards Facebook Page.
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