SOUTH METRO

Open house is next week for I-35 'Carmageddon'

They may be planning to ruin your life, but at least they're being open about it.

There's an open house next week for folks who want to know more about the massive disruptions expected this summer as the state does a major overhaul on Interstate 35 and I-35E from Elko New Market to Eagan.

The entire southbound portion of a segment of that roadway will shut down for up to 30 days, officials are warning, along with other lane closures and intersection work.

The open house is Tuesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the new Elko New Market Library, 110 J. Roberts Way.

There will be a short presentation at 7:45 a.m., and officials informed about the project will be there throughout to offer information and answer questions.

There's also a website devoted to the plans at www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i35eelkotoeagan.

You can request an ASL or foreign language interpreter by calling 651-366-4720.

Scott County

'Conservation Day' covers soil, plants

Conservation Day, covering environmentally friendly practices in the suburbs and exurbs, is next week at the Scott County Fairgrounds.

The April 19 event will be devoted to topics such as rain gardens, planting wildflowers, choosing trees and shrubs for a yard, composting and environment-friendly lawn care.

It's the third annual version, sponsored by the Scott Soil and Water Conservation District.

It starts at noon and runs to 6 p.m. The fairgrounds are in Jordan, on the Minnesota River side of Hwy. 169.

Door prizes and free hot dogs and refreshments are being offered as inducements. You can also get your well water tested for nitrates.

Every half-hour there's a 15-minute conservation talk, and master gardeners and other experts will be on hand to field questions.

It's all free and children are welcome. To learn more, call 952-492-5425 or visit www.scottswcd.org.

HASTINGS

Birding day is April 20

A full day of birding activities is slated for Hastings Area Birding Day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 at the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center.

Novices and experienced birders are welcome at the event, organized by the Hastings Parks and Recreation Department.

Activities include a youth birding competition, a bird banding demonstration, a birding class, a bird tour, a raptor program and field trips to birding hot spots.

To register, call the nature center at 651-437-4359. For more information, see www.startribune.com/a2161.

Savage, Prior Lake

Tree sale coming up for Arbor Day

Residents of Savage and Prior Lake are eligible for a tree sale this month. Trees will be sold at the wholesale rate but without a warranty.

Size ranges from an inch to two inches in diameter, with prices from $10 to about $50.

Savage and Prior Lake host the event for their residents and those living in nearby Credit River and Spring Lake townships.

The sale — rain or shine — is from 9 to 11 a.m. April 27 at the Savage public works facility, 13770 Dakota Av.

Trees may be ordered and paid for ahead of time, or purchased on site, first-come, first-served. No credit cards will be accepted on the day of the sale, just cash or checks.

The tree varieties to be offered are displayed online at cityofsavage.com/images/docs/forestry/treelist.pdf.

New Prague

Help needed to restore native landscapes at park

Volunteers are being asked to come out and plant prairie wildflowers at one of the regional parks in Scott County.

The event is not until May 18, but officials are asking folks to preregister in order to take part. Light breakfast and lunch are provided. It will be at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park, near New Prague, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Volunteers will plant prairie wildflowers, grasses and wetland plants.

To register, visit www.greatrivergreen ing.org under "Volunteer" or call 651-665-9500, ext. 11.

Restoration started last fall, when 180 volunteers helped install 9,000 plants along 1,500 feet of shoreline.

The plants to be added this spring are also meant to help Cedar Lake's water quality as well as help butterflies, birds and other wildlife.