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News Release / AUGUST 2016

Looking for a few good neighbors to protect water quality

Applications now being accepted for Master Water Stewards program

AUG. 30, 2016 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINNEAPOLIS—The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization invites residents to join its 2016–2017 class of Master Water Stewards (MWS). The MWS program provides training and opportunities for residents to take action to protect and improve water quality and habitat.

Freshwater Society developed the MWS program in 2013 to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills to help improve water quality at the grassroots level. By December of 2016, the metro area will have 150 certified Master Water Stewards. The MWMO is one of many watershed organizations sponsoring MWS classes, and is offering them free-of-charge to eligible residents.

The next MWS session begins October 11, 2016 and runs through April 25, 2017. To learn more, visit masterwaterstewards.org or attend an upcoming information session at one of the following locations (all applicants welcome at any of the following sessions):

Sept. 6, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. — Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and Capitol Region Watershed District
Sept. 20, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Bang Brewing Company (St. Paul)
Sept. 27, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. — City of Eagan Maintenance Facility

Master Water Stewards are certified by participating in a broad training curriculum led by experts in the fields of hydrology, stormwater management, water policy, community-based social marketing, and raingarden assessment and installation. They must complete a capstone project that captures rainfall and allows more water to soak into the ground, and lead a community outreach event. Stewards then become a point of knowledge and influence in their communities.

Master Water Stewards are now working for watershed districts and environmental nonprofits (including Freshwater Society), participating on city and local government boards, influencing policy, and improving the health of our waters.

Program Results

To date, stewards have connected with more than 1,000 people through outreach and educational events, and have installed rain gardens, rain barrels, cisterns, a dry creek bed, and a permeable driveway. Their efforts prevent more than 1.2 million gallons of polluted stormwater runoff from entering our lakes, rivers, and creeks; and remove more than 400 pounds of silt, leaves and plant material, animal waste, automobile gas and oil spillage, excess salt, and other debris from our neighborhoods.

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