FLF takes on planting project
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FAIRMONT-- In keeping in line with its mission to preserve and enhance the water quality of the chain of lakes in Fairmont, members of the Fairmont Lakes Foundation, Inc. (FLF) gathered Friday morning to plant over 2,000 native plants along the shorelines.
FLF Chairman, Jon Omvig, said that the non-profit had tried to do the native revegetation project last year and had applied for a grant from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to fund it. However, because the group did not receive the grant, it began raising its own funds.
"We ordered actual plant stock in four inch pots and they're up to a foot and a half tall," Omvig said.
The plants, which include Bulrush and other reeds, will go along Hall Lake, on the south side of Dutch Creek, and Lake Sisseton, along Heritage Acres, as per the DNR's recommendations. Omvig noted that the group has received proper permits through the DNR to do the planting.
"Some of the plants are ones you typically see underwater and some will stick out of the water," Omvig explained.
Both plant locations serve a different purpose as the ones above water will help protect against waves, thus fighting erosion. The plants underwater will help with water quality and potentially remove some phosphorus out of the water and soil.
Earlier this year FLF also stocked the lakes with several thousand Yellow Perch and Omvig pointed out that the planting goes hand in hand with that project, too.
"It will provide a good fish habitat," he said of the underwater plants.
To fund the 2,500 plants, FLF raised about $7,000 through private contributions.
Moving forward, FLF would like to continue with the planting, albeit with plants grown locally in a partnership with Fairmont Area Schools.
Omvig said that fellow FLF member, Mari Myren, who also sits on the Fairmont School Board, talked to Superintendent Andy Traetow, who was in favor of the partnership.
"Our ag program is so good and the kids in FFA and 4H need volunteer time to give back to the community so I thought this would be perfect," Myren said.
Seeds have been ordered and the students will grow the plants in the school's greenhouse, though they likely won't be ready until next spring.
"We even want at some point to have biology students come and test the water to see if what we're planting is making a difference in the phosphorous and nitrogen levels in the lake, which is our ultimate goal," Myren said.
Ideally, FLF would like to continue planting annually moving forward.
Speaking about FLF taking the initiative to do a project like this, Omvig said, "Clearly our mission is the lakes and we're concerned about water quality and we want to make sure that people have the opportunity to appreciate the lakes. We would love to see the city more engaged in the lakes because we think the lakes are critical to the economic vitality of the city."
He noted that other groups like the DNR and Martin Soil and Water Conservation District play their own parts and do what they can for the lakes. Martin and Faribault Counties are also currently partnering on the Blue Earth River One Watershed One Plan project and there is potential for funding out of that.
"We can hope that the city takes advantages of some of those opportunities," Omvig said.
Along with FLF members, CHS also sent some volunteers to help plant along parts of Hall Lake on Friday morning. The group plans to continue planting along Sisseton Lake today.