2025 Natural Shoreline Award Winner

Kim Ury of Oakdale, Washington County (Valley Branch Watershed District)

Kim Ury wasn’t looking for shoreline property when she bought her suburban home in Oakdale six years ago. As it turned out, however, her new house bordered on a large wetland complex with floating bog islands in the middle.

“At first, my only goal was to remove the buckthorn in the backyard,” she says, “But the area was also full of poison sumac, which I had never encountered before. By spring of 2020, I had removed all the female trees and many others, and suddenly I could see the pond. I remember looking out one day during spring migration and seeing nearly 100 ducks, maybe 20 different species, all in my backyard. That moment changed everything.”

For the past five years, Kim has spent most of her free time working to remove invasive species and enhance the natural buffer around the wetland edge in her and her neighbor’s yards. She volunteered with the Wild Rivers Conservancy to raise and release beetles that eat purple loosestrife (a common wetland invasive) and has planted numerous native plants. “I also love documenting everything,” she says with enthusiasm. “I’ve built a detailed spreadsheet of nearly 100 native species, including notes on habitat, bloom time, bloom color, and other traits. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing the landscape evolve and knowing each new addition supports the broader ecosystem.”

In addition to planting natives and managing invasive species, Kim became a Minnesota Water Steward in 2023, through a program hosted by Freshwater Society. She frequently hosts tours to teach other people in the community about native plants and wetland ecology, and says she enjoys helping people connect with the landscape. “Those moments are just as meaningful - it’s the combination of ecological impact and community engagement that makes this work so fulfilling.”

Although Kim received a small $500 grant from the Valley Branch Watershed District, she admits that she has also spent a lot of her own money on wetland restoration. This includes buying plants and seeds, as well as specialty equipment like clippers, saws, and even a pair of waders. She also notes that working in a wetland is logistically challenging and physically demanding. Even so, she still continues to devote most of her free time to the challenge. “Wetlands reveal something new every season, and the deeper your connection, the stronger your commitment to care for them.”

When asked what advice she’d give other shoreline owners, Kim urges people to start small. “You don’t need to do everything at once. The key is consistency and curiosity.”