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Conservation and training go hand- <br />in-hand when caring for the land at <br />the Arden Hills Army Training Site <br />(AHATS). The 1,500-acre site was part of <br />the former 2,730-acre Twin Cities Army <br />Ammunition Plant <br />(TCAAP). <br />“Initially, all of the <br />TCAAP property was <br />owned and occupied <br />by 12 farmsteads <br />before being acquired <br />by the federal govern- <br />ment as an ammuni- <br />tion manufacturing <br />plant preceding <br />World War II,” ex- <br />plained Mary Lee, <br />environmental protection specialist for the <br />Minnesota Army National Guard. <br />“The combination of farming practices <br />and ammunition production led to the need <br />for compliance and conservation efforts,” <br />added Lee. <br />Lee has worked for the compliance and <br />conservation division for nearly a decade <br />and serves as part of an award-winning <br />team with her peers at Camp Ripley, who <br />have been honored by the federal govern- <br />ment for their sustainability efforts. <br />The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents April 2018 <br />Mary Lee <br />At AHATS, Lee leads a number of initia- <br />tives in collaboration with the Department <br />of Natural Resources and other organiza- <br />tions that focus on native prairie restora- <br />tion and invasive plant management, <br />wildlife monitoring, sustainable building <br />initiatives, and event planning. <br />In addition, the Army training exercises <br />are good for the land, because perform- <br />ing drills that involve running and driving <br />encourages optimal plant growth and keeps <br />down the number of invasive species, <br />explained Lee. <br />Blocking noise pollution is also an area of <br />focus. “We purposely work to keep noise <br />down by making sure our helicopter exer- <br />cises are conducted over road paths rather <br />than homes, and we survey surrounding <br />homeowners,” Lee said. <br />Lee’s job in taking care of the land is a <br />reward for the senses. At different times of <br />the year, Lee said she sees and hears trum- <br />peter swans, loons, river otter, great-horned <br />owls, and chimney swifts. <br />“Minnesota is big on nature, the environ- <br />ment, and the military," she said. "I enjoy <br />being here with the focus on the land and <br />the natural resources.” <br />Annual events provide opportunities <br />to learn more about conservation and <br />compliance efforts. <br />American Woodcock Courtship <br />Display <br />April 11 <br />Free (ages 18 and older) <br />Earth Day <br />April 27 <br />10:00 a.m. to 2 :00 p.m. <br />Meet at Ben Franklin Gate <br />Help clean the site (ages 18 and older) <br />Urban Bird Festival <br />May 18, 19, and 20 <br />Butterfly Survey with St. Paul <br />Audubon <br />June 30 <br />Open House <br />September 8 <br />Power of One 5K <br />September 9 <br />Suicide awareness and Beyond the <br />Yellow Ribbon initiatives <br />For more information about event <br />timing and registration, contact Mary <br />Lee at mary.l.lee.civ@mail.mil or by <br />calling 651-282-4420. <br />Upcoming events at AHATSAward-winning conservation efforts continue at Army Training site <br />Photos courtesy of Craig A. Mullenbach