What do we do in the Upper Midwest when winter hits? When the leaves change and the snow flies, if you are using the Stream Quantification Tool (SQT) to evaluate, plan or monitor your stream restoration project, the monitoring period for the physiochemical and biology parameters has ended. According to our SQT parameter and sampling calendar, those sampling periods close from the end of August through September 15.

The Midwest region of the United States is home to a diverse array of streams and rivers that serve as critical habitats for a variety of aquatic species, provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, and play a vital role in the region's ecosystem. In this blog post, we will explore some typical stream restoration techniques used in the Midwest.

What happens when the regulatory requirements, design and construction costs, and the burden of restoration and maintenance becomes too much to be cost-effective for a mitigation bank under 20 acres? MPI often comes across many small but straightforward projects less than 10-acre wetland restorations that don’t happen. Is that the best conservation intent of the mitigation bank program which is to prevent the loss of any more wetland impacts and to restore as many lost wetlands as possible?

Phil Pister is a name that should be familiar to those who are passionate about the outdoors. He has been an influential figure in the world of conservation and outdoor recreation for decades, and his work has helped to shape the way we think about and interact with the natural world. His achievements and passion for the outdoors have made him an important figure in the outdoor community, and his legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.

The primary goal at MPI is to have a full understanding of the available banks and credits coming online now and in the future. In the Upper Midwest there are currently more banks available and more coming online than ever before. It has never been more important to have a finger on the pulse of projects getting permitted and those needing credits.

Minnesota’s wetlands come in different shapes, sizes and forms, but all provide numerous ecological services to plants, animals and humans alike. But what exactly is a wetland? Is it that cattail pond in my neighbor’s backyard? Or is that seasonally flooded lowland on my property? Here we offer a basic overview of wetlands and ways to identify them.

Since 1991, Minnesota has regulated a “no net loss” of wetland area within the state. Delineation is the process by which boundaries of existing wetlands are defined and area is measured – a critical component of the mitigation banking system of credit offsets.

Restoration monitoring is a complex process that requires expert ecological and statistical knowledge, as it informs decisions for adaptive management, timelines for goals, and evidence for successful credit approval.

Although often overlooked at first glance, the seasonally flooded basin is a vital wetland ecosystem that has unique characteristics and provides essential environmental and economic services.

Admired for their diverse plant communities and their ability to support rare and valuable species, wet meadows are considered invaluable wetland ecosystems that provide essential environmental and economic services.

Although commonplace, a shallow marsh is a highly regarded ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife and provides essential services for people and ecosystems alike.

Known as “prairie potholes” in southern Minnesota, deep marshes are water-filled basins that provide food and resting areas for migratory birds and many other wildlife species.

Most often enjoyed by people for canoeing, hunting, and fishing, open freshwater wetlands are an accessible source of recreation and viewing plant and animal species.

As their locations and landscape positions are similar to those occupied by wooded swamps, shrub swamps have similar soils and perform similar ecosystem services. Thanks to their location along waterways and sequences of lakes, they serve as migration corridors for wildlife and are particularly valuable as breeding and nesting grounds for a wide range of bird species.

Wooded swamps are a common feature on the Minnesota landscape throughout the state, but especially in central and northern Minnesota. They contribute vastly to the quality of life of every Minnesotan through the ecosystem services they perform, the timber they provide, their benefits to wildlife, their beauty, and the recreational opportunities they afford.

One of North America’s most distinctive kinds of wetlands, bogs are filled with spongy peat, acidic water, and a thick layer of sphagnum moss. They prevent downstream flooding by absorbing precipitation and provide habitat to animal species that are threatened by human encroachment.

The concept of ecosystem services is critical in the field of ecology and in the management of natural resources. In brief, ecosystem services are benefits to humanity provided by healthy, sustainable, well-functioning environments. Here we describe six key examples for wetland habitat.

A fen is a unique wetland that is primarily fed by input from groundwater flowing through the aquifer from higher-elevation landforms. Recharge from groundwater rather than rainfall is favored by position along a slope, where water moves downward, preventing stagnation and keeping nutrient levels relatively high.

It’s common knowledge that mosquitoes require standing water in order to breed. Mosquito control, therefore, has often involved drainage of natural wetlands. But this actually worsens the wetland problem. Here we explain why.

Supporting native pollinators has been of special public interest in recent times. Recognizing the ecological roles of pollinators and the pressures they face today (from factors such as habitat loss and climate change), efforts are being made to ensure a future for these vital species.