The Rotary Nature Preserve is a 40-acre city-owned natural area in White Bear Lake, located just north of Birch Lake between White Bear Parkway and Birch Lake Boulevard North. It is a particularly nice spot for a short walk, bird watching, nature photography, and environmental education.
The preserve is a great example of our clubs long-term community service. The City and the Rotary Club have worked together for roughly 30 years to improve the property.
Rotary has helped provide funding and volunteer labor for the picnic pavilion, restroom facility, trails and wetland boardwalk.
A major restoration project
More recently, the City and Rotary began a three-phase ecological restoration project to address invasive plants that had displaced native vegetation.
Phase 1 — 2022:
A 6,500-square-foot area near the parking lot was converted into a native prairie/pollinator planting.
Phase 2 — 2023:
Invasive vegetation was removed along portions of the trail, followed by restoration of a native wetland buffer.
Phase 3 — 2024–25:
Restoration continued toward Birch Lake Boulevard North.