Interested in visiting the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary or becoming an Eco Steward volunteer? Click on the Vento Sanctuary button at left.

The Lower Phalen Creek Project is a multi-faceted effort to improve local water quality and revitalize Saint Paul, Minnesota's East Side neighborhoods by enhancing their ecological health and connections to the Mississippi River. Founded in 1997 by Friends of Swede Hollow, the Lower Phalen Creek Project is now an exceptionally effective public/private partnership involving more than 25 organizations. With leadership from our community-based Steering Committee and support from our many partners we are working to:

1) Complete the redevelopment of the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary as an ecological, cultural and educational resource and key community asset;

2) Establish and promote trail connections between the Sanctuary, the Lowertown/Downtown neighborhood and the Mississippi River; and

3) Install a network of rain gardens and other watershed friendly landscaping to capture and filter stormwater in the heavily paved sections of the watershed.

The strong community leadership and effective strategies of the Lower Phalen Creek Project have generated national recognition, including the 2005 Take Pride in America award for the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary.