Three new shoreland education workshops will be offered by the University of Minnesota Extension Service in 2004: Wetland Plant Identification, Maintenance of Shoreland Revegetation Projects, and Curly-leaf Pondweed Management. They are being developed in response to requests by shoreland workshop participants in past years (We really do read your workshop evaluations and take them seriously!) and lake association leaders. These workshops will be added to the Shoreland Volunteer, Shoreland Revegetation, and Aquatic Plant Identification workshops already offered across the state.

The Curly-leaf Pondweed Management workshop is co-sponsored by the Initiative Foundation and Minnesota Lakes Association. It will cover strategies for preventing introduction of curly-leaf pondweed, for its early detection, and for management of it in lakes already infested. Participants will learn to identify the plant and how resource professionals can assist them in developing and implementing management strategies that emphasize restoring the natural functions of the lake.

The Wetland Plant Identification workshop will include a three-hour classroom session that introduces participants to the importance of wetland plants, basic terminology, and use of plant keys. This will be followed by a day in the field, collecting wetland plants, using a key to identify them, and learning how to press and preserve them for future reference.

Participants of the Maintenance of Shoreland Restoration Projects workshop will visit a variety of previously planted shoreland restoration projects in the area. Project leaders will discuss how site preparation, plant selection, and maintenance techniques were used to meet project goals.

The complete schedule of these shoreland education workshops and registration information is posted on the University of Minnesota’s Extension web site.

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