‍I have been a member of the City’s Natural Resources Commission since its inception in 2022. I am currently serving as Chair of the Commission and previously served as Vice Chair.

Great progress has been made since the Commission was founded and I would like to prioritize and continue this work on the City Council. Accomplishments include: 1) Restoration work at Valley Park, including the construction of a weir in 2025 to replenish an upstream wetland and store runoff during large rain events to prevent erosion of Valley Creek (top photo); 2) an Energy Action Plan that offers Mendota Heights residents, businesses, and the City itself a path forward to save energy, lower emissions, and reduce energy costs. City staff and community members collaborated with Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy program on this work; 3) a Geothermal Study to determine the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of geothermal technology to heat and cool the City’s public works building.

A priority going forward should be continued restoration work at Valley Park. At 90 acres, the park is the City’s largest and has the potential to be a prized natural resource in Mendota Heights with a rare, open creek that drains directly to the Mississippi River and old, native oaks throughout. It currently has significant challenges from erosion of the steep hillsides, erosion of Valley Creek, and invasive species.

Another priority should be a continuation of the Commission’s energy-related work with an emphasis on saving costs for the City, businesses, and residents. This should include integrating energy efficiency into the Municipal Campus project and other City buildings.

A third priority should be making progress on the water quality problem at Lake Augusta. This is a complicated problem that will take some ingenuity and probably several steps to solve, but a first step that can be taken is to construct an outlet for the lake.

A final priority should be a more structured volunteer program for residents of all ages. Pitching in on tree plantings and other volunteer projects gives residents a stake in the City’s natural resources, cultivates a sense of local pride, and builds relationships and community. An idea should be explored with the Two Rivers Athletic Association for young athletes to give a few hours of volunteer time back to the parks where they compete.