Urban Agriculture
Sustainable Landscaping & Zoning
Sustainable landscaping refers to landscape design and practices that work with nature, protect surface waters and minimize negative impacts to the environment. At first glance, it may seem that all lawns and gardens benefit the environment, however some landscape features and practices impact the environment in a more positive or negative way than others.
View the following content and links to learn how to support the city's natural resources by implementing sustainable practices in your yard or within the community.
One-third of our trash is made of organic materials like yard waste and food scraps.
Learn how to dispose of yard waste locally by visiting the Yard Waste and Organics tab of our Trash & Recycling Page.
Compost Your Pumpkin Event
Learn more about how to dispose of your pumpkins on our Collections Event page.
Newly renovated Garden Plots for 2021
IGH Parks & Rec operates 30 garden plots located at Salem Hills Park. There is a fee to operate a plot. One plot is available per household. There is access to water at the site. Plot renters will be responsible for planting, watering and maintaining their own plot.
City Ordinance on Diseased Trees
- Dutch Elm
- Oak Wilt
- Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed an EAB infestation in the northwest corner of the City of Inver Grove Heights. The City is investigating the EAB infestation and encourages residents to look for signs of EAB. This is the perfect time to look for woodpecker damage and other signs of emerald ash borer because the trees are still bare. There are several things residents should look for when checking for emerald ash borer:
- Be sure you’ve identified an ash tree. This is an important first step since EAB only feeds on ash trees. Ash have opposite branching – meaning branches come off the trunk directly across from each other. On older trees, the bark is in a tight, diamond-shaped pattern. Younger trees have a relatively smooth bark.
- Look for woodpecker damage. Woodpeckers like EAB larvae and woodpecker holes may indicate the presence of EAB.
- Check for bark cracks. EAB larvae tunneling under the bark can cause the bark to split open, revealing the larval (S-shaped) tunnels underneath.
- Contact a professional. If you feel your ash tree may be infested with EAB, contact a tree care professional, your city forester or the MDA at arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us or 888-545-6684 (voicemail).
How to help
The biggest risk of spreading EAB comes from people unknowingly moving firewood or other ash products harboring larvae. There are three easy steps residents can take to keep EAB from spreading:
- Don’t transport firewood. Buy firewood locally from approved vendors, and burn it where you buy it.
- Be aware of the quarantine restrictions. If you live in a quarantined county, be aware of the restrictions on movement of products such as ash trees, wood chips and firewood; and,
- Watch your ash trees for infestation. If you think your ash tree is infested, go to www.mda.state.mn.us/eab and use the guide “Does my tree have emerald ash borer?”
About EAB
The emerald ash borer (EAB), ia an iridescent green beetle with a red or purple abdomen. The EAB measures about 1/2-inch-long and feeds off the foliage of ash trees. The larva is a cream colored, legless grub that lives just beneath the bark of the tree. Larvae create tunnels under the bark that interfere with water and nutrient transport. The EAB feeds on and kills ash trees.
Background
In 2002 EAB attacked and killed millions of trees in the Great Lakes region of Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. Minnesota is highly susceptible to the destruction caused by this invasive insect. The state has approximately one billion ash trees, the most of any state in the nation.
Resources
For more information:
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/eab
- University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources: https://www.forestry.umn.edu/
- Emerald Ash Borer Website: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/
Certified Arborists
- Rainbow Tree Care: 651-251-3810
- S&S TREE: 651-451-8907
- St. Croix Tree: 651-770-3744
Goats for Prescribed Grazing
Prescribed grazing with goats is a popular tool being used nationally to manage buckthorn and other invasive and noxious vegetation. Invasive species establish themselves in areas they are not native to, which can cause great economic and land management challenges in yards, parks, and natural spaces due to having no natural method of control. Because growth of invasive species is uninhibited, it is up to the humans to manually manage the spread of the invasive species.
Grazing goats is one of many tools that property owners can use to control invasive species. Goats are particularly useful in areas with dense infestations of invasive species, rocks, and sleep slopes. Conventional tactics of invasive species removal can be labor-intensive and may require a property owner to annually uproot or cut each plant and apply herbicide. This has led property owners to consider using browsing goats to control invasive species on their property. Annual treatment may be required to limit establishment of new invasive seedlings, which may include using a combination of goats, manual removal, herbicide and more.
Temporary Goat Grazing Permit
A Temporary Goat Grazing Permit allows the temporary use of a limited number of goats for invasive and noxious vegetation control. The temporary permit may be granted for up to 30 days, twice annually, to a parcel that is 0.5 acre or more in size, or a prescribed grazing area that is contiguous and greater than 0.5 acre. A complete set of permit requirements is listed in City Code.
Download the Temporary Goat Grazing Permit Application to apply for a permit. The application requirements and process are detailed in the application attachment.