COUNTRY
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 37 NO. 21 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
WEDDINGS: Bridal guide inside. PAGES 5-8
County Board approves conservation area in May Township
A Better Place Scandia welcomes Minnesota’ first conservation memorial forest
CONTRIBUTED
The Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed Sept. 15 to use the county’s voter-approved Land and Water Legacy Program (LWLP) to establish a County Conservation Area (CCA) in May Township. The LWLP protects land and open space in the county through the acquisition of parkland and conservation easements on highly-valued natural areas. Opportunities exist to purchase land outside of the county's park system to provide protection and meet the goals of the county LWLP. The first potential CCA is the Guarnera property in May Township, which has 38 acres of land with natural
BY JASON SCHULTE EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
Before the age off 11, Sandy Gibson lost his father to a stroke and his mother to cancer. Visiting their graves in a Toronto cemetery one day, 15 feet from the street, cars were driving by and bus were screeching to a halt. “There has to be a better place than this,” he told himself. That was the lightning rod for Better Place Forests, a conservation memorial forest. With forests in California and Arizona, they recently expanded to Minnesota, and specifically Scandia. The location is on 112 acres overlooking Little Fish Lake near the intersection of Lakamaga Trail North and Meadow Ridge Lane. “We were coming in looking for larger parcels with high conservation value,” Gibson explained. He added their research showed them the Twin Cities area would show interest in a memorial forest. In addition, to have this so close to the Twin Cities was even more special, they said. Online tours will begin Oct. 14 and in-person opening is scheduled for 2021. The 112-acre forest is one of the largest within Better Place Forests. “It gives you a lot of privacy and your
features with hardwood forest, wetlands, and waterbodies, including Long Lake shoreline. The property is on 170th Street North to the west of Norell Avenue, a halfmile from Big Marine Park and within one mile of Warner Nature Center. It is in the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District. The land has rolling topography, with seasonal wetlands, white and red oaks, red and sugar maples, and paper birch trees, along with significant wildlife. Activities that will be allowed on the land are hiking, walking, running, nature observation, visits by education/school groups and research with a use permit, watercraft access by carry in, archery hunting, and
JASON SCHULTE|COUNTRY MESSENGER
One of the many views visitors will be able to enjoy from Better Place Forests, Minnesota's first conservation memorial forest. It is located outside of Scandia.
private space,” Gibson said. “Having the idea of your beautiful place feels comfortable.”
How it’s done Customers pick a tree online as their final resting place. When the time comes after cremation, their ashes are spread among the tree back into the nature as the spot is reseeded. A marker is recommended among the base of the tree to remember your loved one. “It feels their journey is complete,” Gibson said. “It’s an important feeling.”
He loves to tell the story of the company’s first client in California. “He bought a tree before we even made them online,” he explained. “He put his money down and was one on the first people to come out to the forest. He found his tree and he was happy.” Gibson said the gentleman recently passed away, but added, his family was at peace knowing he was happy. “The first time they see their tree, it’s a magical moment,” he explained. “It’s very nice, very comforting. This is beautiful. A place
where your family can come back to because it’s hard sit and stand at a tombstone.” Gibson is also a client and gives a good reason for being one. “I never expected it but it’s enormously comforting,” he said. “When it comes to your final resting place, you are used to see black, now you are seeing a tree.” When scouting for forests, variety is close behind in importance to conservation. “We want a section that speaks to you,” he SEE FOREST, PAGE 2
SEE COUNTY BOARD, PAGE 3
October 5 Cinnamon Bun Day in Scandia CONTRIBUTED
Scandia will be celebrating its third Cinnamon Bun Day on Monday, Oct. 5. As in other years the Gammelgarden Museum, Scandia-Marine Lions and the City of Scandia have joined forces in celebration of the day. Cinnamon buns will be distributed in the early morning hours (6-8 a.m.) at the corner of Oakhill Road and Olinda Road in the center of Scandia. Oct. 4 is officially Cinnamon Bun Day in Sweden. This popular, tasty celebration has always been a favorite among Swedes.
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