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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Water News from around the World
Minnesota Landscape Architects install 'floating Islands' in impaired Minneapolis lake
Category: Investment, Water
Submitted by: www.asla-mn.org
MINNEAPOLIS - August 19, 2011 (www.Waternewswire.com) - On Wednesday, August 17, the American Society of Landscape Architects - Minnesota Chapter (ASLA-MN) celebrated the launch of seven floating islands on Spring Lake, a severely impaired body in the Lowry Hill Neighborhood of Minneapolis.
The launch was part of an effort by ASLA-MN and the Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association (LHNA) to restore the area to its original designation as a bird and wildlife sanctuary. Acquired by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) as a wildlife refuge in 1893, the shoreline and park have since become ridden with invasive species and has been added to the Impaired Waters List of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Clean Water Act.
The groups worked with St. Paul-based Midwest Floating Islands to design seven man-made floating islands that mimic natural floating islands to create a concentrated wetland effect. Constructed of durable, non-toxic post-consumer plastics and vegetated with native wetland species, they will provide a beautiful habitat for birds and animals, while underneath the surface, they will aid in cleaning the water by attracting microbes that are responsible for breaking down water-borne pollutants.
Installation was an impressive two-day affair and project partners and volunteers worked tirelessly to plant and install the floating islands on August 15th and 16th. On August 17, 2011, as part of the ASLA nationwide "08.17.11" campaign, the ASLA-MN chapter and project partners hosted a celebration over the noon hour. Over 100 people including project partners, volunteers, dignitaries and members of major media outlets attended and watched as the last island was secured into place.
Park Board Commissioner Anita Tabb mentioned, "This project illustrates what happens when true partnerships are formed. When people work together, wonderful things happen."
In-kind donations and sponsorship dollars to the tune of an estimated $50,000 were essential to this event, but with little less than a month to plan this ambitious undertaking, the relationships that were established and the team's willingness to tackle a marginalized space were equally as important.
Minneapolis Council Member Lisa Goodman was also on hand and echoed Tabb's sentiments. "Many are disillusioned with government right now, but this effort is a wonderful example of when we remember that we are the government and take initiative, good things happen." She also added, "I've had the opportunity to work with many landscape architects in the past years, and it is one of the most treasured professions in our City."
In reaction to Goodman's statement, Craig Wilson, president-elect of ASLA-MN, stated, "Suffice it to say that to landscape architects, ASLA-MN, and the ASLA ‘08.17.2011' nationwide campaign team, that is music to our ears. The Spring Lake floating islands project is a first for Minneapolis, setting an important precedent for all of Minnesota's impaired water bodies. Minnesota-designed and manufactured floating islands support both our environment and the local economy."
Related Press:
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/127522343.html
CBS Minnesota: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/08/16/minneapolis-to-use-floating-islands-to-clean-up-sick-lake/
KSTP: http://kstp.com/article/stories/S2244999.shtml?cat=0?video=YHI&t=a
Inhabitat: http://inhabitat.com/floating-islands-will-restore-life-to-minnesotas-spring-lake/
Living Green Guy: http://www.greenlivingguy.com/greenliving/minnesota-landscape-architects-to-install-floating-islands-i.html
Partners
American Society of Landscape Architects Minnesota Chapter (ASLA-MN)
Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association (LHNA)
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (Park Board)
City of Minneapolis (City)
Blake School
Minneapolis Parks Foundation
Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (Bassett Creek WMO)
Midwest Floating Islands
Minnesota Native Landscapes
About ASLA-MN:
ASLA-MN is the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) – Minnesota Chapter which represents nearly 300 professionals in the landscape architecture profession through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship. ASLA, the national organization, has more than 18,000 members and 48 chapters, representing all 50 states, U.S. territories, and 42 countries around the world.
As a licensed profession in the state of Minnesota, landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. Landscape Architectural projects range from academic campuses, conservation and natural areas, historic landscapes, parks and recreation, transportation corridors, urban design, water resources, and commercial and residential properties. To learn more about landscape architecture visit www.asla.org or the Minnesota Chapter homepage at www.asla-mn.org.
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Published at Water Newswire 2011