A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
Ann Carlander and Burnell Peterson have been diversifying the flora and fauna on their rural Wrenshall property for years and have been recognized by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation for their efforts. Tree thinning led to the creation of a cabin on the property.
The Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts has named Burnell Peterson and Ann Carlander from the Wrenshall area as one of eight finalists in the 2021 Outstanding Conservationist Award program. They will be recognized at a Dec. 14 luncheon at the association's 85th annual state convention in Bloomington. The awards program recognizes farm families, individuals, conservation organizations, and other groups for their accomplishments in implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota's natural resources.
Of the eight finalists, one will be announced as the state's most outstanding at the luncheon.
"Burnell and Ann have done many projects to protect and enhance the soil, forest, wildlife, and water resources on their property," said Brad Matlack, the Carlton County Soil and Water Conservation District manager. "We are excited they have also been recognized at the area level by our state association."
Burnell planted thousands of red pine beginning 40 years ago and followed a suggestion from the Carlton district to thin the forest. It's just a part of the conservation efforts on the couple's property. Peterson purchased a sawmill and built a cabin using wood from the felled trees.
It isn't the only help the couple has received from the conservation district.
"Burnell was coached on how to properly prepare and seed part of our hayfield for indigenous grasses and flowers while getting rid of invasive species," Carlander said. The couple has been developing their land to be more conducive to birds, pollinating insects and wildlife. "The process with the pollinator field has taken about three summers, and the variety of pollinator plants will continue to evolve naturally," Carlander said. "We have definitely seen an increase in the number of butterflies."
Carlander hosts a camp site called Woods and Meadows Farm on the land. "Our guests have appreciated our intentional plan for encouraging native biodiversity where there was previously less variety and many invasive species of plants," Carlander said.
