Hubs & Corridors
The Anoka Conservation District in cooperation with the DNR Metro Greenways Program has identified strings of mostly undeveloped open space throughout Anoka County. Corridors are linear open space areas consisting of a mixture of high quality upland and wetland habitats over 400 feet wide. Corridors are mostly continuous and are often identified with consideration for rare and threatened species in the area. Examples of wildlife corridors in Anoka County include Cedar Creek, the Sunrise River, and Ford Brook.
Corridors connect large, high quality open space areas called hubs. Hubs in Anoka County include the Cedar Creek Natural History Area, Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area and the Bunker Hills Regional Park. This system of corridors and hubs is important to maintaining the ecological function of the region. The hubs and corridor system in Anoka County and throughout the state are also important because they improve water quality, boost property values and maintain rural atmosphere.
Benefits of Wildlife Corridors
- Enhance property values
- Protect water quality
- Fuel a multi-billion dollar outdoor recreation industry
- Provide habitat and a storehouse of biological diversity
- Reduce costs of public services such as stormwater management and erosion control
- Provide aesthetic relief in a built environment
- Enhance our overall quality of life
What Makes a Great Wildlife Corridor?
- Natural areas over 400 ft. wide
- Naturally existing corridors
- Contains upland travel corridors (some aquatic features can be obstacles)
- Absence of development or heavily traveled roads
- High quality habitats
