Kelly Julson’s Post

Minnesota’s rivers and lakes are experiencing a quiet transformation. Instead of repairing aging dams, some local agencies are opting to replace them with engineered rock arch rapids—an innovative solution designed to revitalize aquatic ecosystems, support recreational activities, and enhance safety and sustainability. Pioneered by Luther Aadland, an Otter Tail County resident, these rapids blend science and nature to create thriving waterways for fish, wildlife, and people. Visit https://lnkd.in/gYaYNWSY to discover how this cutting-edge design is making waves across Minnesota in our blog written by our Community Planner Mark Kaelke.

Cheers to 20 years! 🎉 NFWF and Walmart this week announced the 20th year of funding through the Acres for America program, one of the most effective public-private partnerships in the history of U.S. land conservation efforts. To date, the Acres for America program has helped to conserve more than 2 million acres across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and D.C. Check out some of the vital work we’re undertaking together to protect and conserve landscapes across the country.

🎉 Today is our 17th birthday! As the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and expanding America’s National Conservation Lands, we're so grateful for your ongoing support. National Conservation Lands are among the most essential and spectacular natural, cultural, and archaeological places in the country. They include National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails. Here’s how we protect, restore, and expand National Conservation Lands: 🏞️ We harness community passion through our Friends Grassroots Network, which includes over 80 local groups that advocate for National Conservation Lands. 🌻 We secure protections and improve policies by working with presidential administrations, Congress, and the Bureau of Land Management. 🌿 We increase public support by generating greater visibility and funding for enduring protections. As we continue our efforts, join us in safeguarding millions of acres in the U.S. for future generations: visit conservationlands.org. #ProtectWhatMatters #Conservation #PublicLands #NationalConservationLands

Check out this insightful article from my Co-Director, Charissa Miijessepe-Wilson, on Indigenous leadership and stewardship of the Bears Ears National Monument, along with other ancestral lands and “resources.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife awarded $3.4 million to several Houston area parks, including the Mason Park Community Center, to help “create and enhance outdoor recreation.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gdY9r8zf

TREECATION!! (Tree work + Vacation) This week, the Arbor Society addressed a stand of pine which had been afflicted by a pine borer. Our client lost about twenty trees due to this devastating pest. The bigger concern are the remaining trees left around this particular reservoir succumbing to the same fate. This community stands to lose all their pine if actions aren’t taken. We dropped info packets that includes direct information for the DIY’ers in the community since it’s very easy to protect, awareness is the key here. Our client hadn’t been to their cabin in roughly six months, they found half their trees had become unhealthy. With the hazards removed, we can now focus on saving the remaining stand and try to get the word out on how to protect against pine borers. If you have concerns about the health of your trees, give us a shout! Here’s a video of the fun we had along the way, not pictures are the trout we caught and the waterfalls we visited! https://lnkd.in/gD29zVvF #arborists #treeguy #propertymanagment #pnw #trees #treecare

Happy #WorldElephantDay all! To know me is to know my love of elephants. As such, I've written a blog post that shares some of my favorite elephant facts, fun ways to help elephants, things currently making me happy as an elephant lover, and sanctuaries and conservation organizations worth checking out. https://lnkd.in/emHacGuC

The City of Manitou Springs is developing a concept plan to enhance Black Canyon Open Space, a Palmer-protected property. The plan focuses on public access, habitat preservation, wildfire mitigation, and cultural resource education. The project includes expanding and improving a multi-use trail system for hiking, biking, and wildlife observation while highlighting the area’s history through educational features. Learn more at the community meeting on Dec. 5 at Memorial Hall from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Learn more at the link in the first comment.

🔍 Diving deeper into ocean conservation news revealed some eye-opening insights! Did you know that a recent article highlighted the remarkable success of a Species Action Plan for Angelsharks in the Mediterranean Sea? 🌊 Taking small steps collectively can lead to significant victories for marine life! 🦈 Discover more about this impressive achievement and how it's reshaping conservation efforts. https://lnkd.in/gRUYp5GJ