News, Events and Essays about the Avon Hills

May 21, 2008: The Nature Conservancy recently completed a Conservation Action Plan to help steer the Conservancy's activities in the Avon Hills. The Conservancy sought technical assistance from experts including MN DNR, St. Cloud State, Saint John’s University and the College of St. Benedict. The Conservation Action plan identified eight distinctive natural assets that are core features of the Avon Hills landscape. Protecting these core assets will allow the Avon Hills landscape to continue to function as a intact natural system. These eight assets or targets are: Tamarack Swamp; Mesic Oak Forest; Maple-Basswood Forest; Lakes; Rural Nature-Character; Pug Nose Shiner; Calcareous Fen and Sedge-Meadow, Rich-Fen, Shrub-Swamp. The Nature Conservancy will focus on working with interested landowners to monitor and protect these targets. For any questions call: John Maile, Ordway Glacial Lake Project Manager, 320-243-7422 or email: jmaile@tnc.org Visit this website for more information.

Avon Hills Initiative Newsletters

• July 2009 Newsletter
• October 2008 Newsletter
• August 2008 Newsletter
• December 2007 Newsletter
• October 2007 Newsletter
• August 2007 Newsletter
• August 2006 Newsletter

Other News

• New County Park Created Near Saint John's Arboretum
  November 2007.
• DNR details proposal to aquire land in Avon Township for nature reserve
  By Michael Timp, Stearns-Morrison enterprise. July 2005.
• Governor Pawlenty awards $150,000 to protect rare species in Avon Hills.
  Submitted by the Office of Governor Tim Pawlenty. April 2005.

Essays

Perceptions of the cultural climate in the Avon Hills area--rapid changes
Allan Davisson
Allan Davisson is a member of the Avon Hills Executive Committee and has been involved with the group since its birth. This essay chronicles the environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic changes that have occurred in the Avon Hills since the 1960’s and 1970’s. The essay not only highlights the importance of biodiversity to the continued strength and success of the Avon Hills, but also examines demographic diversity and its importance to the vitality of the area.

Tradition of Education and Research in the Avon Hills
Michael D. Lee
Michael Lee works for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and is a botanist and ecologist. He was involved in the Minnesota County Biological Survey for Stearns County and was one of the original team members working on the Avon Hills Initiative. This essay reflects on the long standing tradition of research and education in the Avon Hills in the fields of biology and ecology.

What It Means to Grow Up in the Avon Hills
Kenzie Cotty
Kenzie Cotty is the a seventh grader at Saint John's Preparatory School. She is a goalie on the JV and junior high scoccer teams and sings on the Cantabile All Girls Choir at Saint Cloud State University. She loves her family and friends, school, and traveling.