Springbrook Nature Center

With the land purchased by the city of Fridley in the early 1970's, Springbrook Nature Center has grown from 5,000 annual visitors to well over 150,000 visitors a year. Tens of thousands of volunteer hours have helped develop an interpretive building with exhibits, three miles of hiking trails, wetland wildlife overlooks, and much more.

This is the most diverse habitat of any urban nature center in the metro area, and it provides over 600 programs to more that 20,000 participants. People from near and far agree with the rave reviews Springbrook has received in the media as a "must see" place and as the "#1 Park/Nature Center for Families" in Minnesota.

Over the years, the land around Springbrook has been intensely developed for residential and commercial uses. Today, this wetlands nature center is an island of nature, providing a connection to the land in the midst of a highly developed community. It also continues to serve as an example of what wetlands naturally do, take the run-off water that enters it ridden with e-coli, filter it through, and bring it to the Mississippi with not a trace of e-coli left.

But its popularity and sharply increased usage is becoming detrimental to the fragile ecological balance of the natural wetlands and abundant wildlife. A plan to enhance and protect Springbrook has been developed.

Befitting a center of regional and statewide importance, Springbrook has sought support through the bonding bill for half of the cost of this renewal project. I was pleased to author this legislation in the last two years.

It was disappointing that the governor applied inconsistent line item vetoes to the 2008 bonding bill, allowing the funding for a nature center in the district of a Republican and vetoing it in the district of a Democrat. Care for our environment is not a partisan issue.

We will continue to seek these funds. This jewel in our midst must be protected.