Citizen | MCWD: Minnehaha Creek Watershed District

CLOSE About the Watershed Association Initative

With 126 lakes, countless wetlands and miles of streams in the District, we know that citizen leaders are essential part of protecting and improving our waters. In September of 2006, the Minnehaha Creek watershed District and the state-wide non-profit Minnesota waters began a unique partnership, called the Watershed Association Initiative (WAI) . Through this program the MCWD wants to activate groups of citizens who have come together with the common value of protecting their local water resources.

The scientific expertise, organizational development resources, and citizen-led conservation experience that both the MCWD and Minnesota Waters provide are important for a strong start and a sustainable future for lake, stream, and watershed associations.

CLOSE Save Our Summers - Stop AIS

clean drain dry banner

Zebra Mussels have been found in our lakes and Minnehaha Creek. Without action, they will cover beaches with sharp shells and jeopardize fishing, boating and barefoot walks on the beach.

zebra mussels on a clam

Zebra mussels are an invasive species. They are small, fingernail-sized mussels that attach to any solid surfaces in water. Adults are 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches long and have D-shaped shells with alternating yellow and brownish colored stripes. They are now found in parts of Lake Minnetonka. Zebra mussels can reproduce rapidly, limit recreational activities and alter aquatic ecosystems.

It is illegal to transport a watercraft or trailer with zebra mussels or aquatic vegetation attached to it on public roads, launch a watercraft or trailer with zebra mussels or aquatic vegetation attached into un-infested waters in the state, possess live zebra mussels or leave zebra mussel-infested waters without draining water from bilges, live wells and bait buckets.

OPEN How Do I Become a CAC Member?

OPEN General Public

OPEN Past Watershed Heroes

2010 Watershed Heroes

October 8, 2010

The 2010 Watershed Heroes Awards Ceremony was held on Friday, October 8, 2010.

View Award Announcement of Awards Press Release

Press release - MCWD Announces 2010 Watershed Heroes

Duke Realty	Excellence in Development	For their innovative runoff-reducing features on the West End development in St. Louis Park to substantially decrease pollutant laden runoff, to improve water quality downstream.
City of Minneapolis	Innovation in Government	For their sustainability initiative, linking health, economy and the environment and by targeting key areas and the interdepartmental teams' creative approaches to problem solving. They have demonstrated leadership through aggressive goals and actions.
Tina Plant of Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies and the Go Blue! Team	Outstanding Partner	For spearheading the Go Blue! Diamond Lake Community Makeover project, bringing together community, business, and government partners in an effort to improve water quality by providing grant funded clean water project opportunities.
Metro Blooms	Citizen Engagement	For strengthening communities through education and technical assistance. They empower citizens to take action for clean water by building raingardens and other clean water landscape features.
MCWD Rule Making Task Force	Outstanding Contribution	For this citizen-based group spent considerable time and effort - exceeding the process outlined in the law –to shape rule language that provides greater natural resource protection and streamlined regulatory administration in a cost-effective and reasonable way.
Ginny Black	Lifetime Stewardship	For her 15 years of service on the Plymouth City Council, supporting sustainable practices at city hall and throughout the community. She promotes clean water, recycling, and green building through increasing community awareness and promoting real change. In addition to her professional career as organics recycling coordinator at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Ginny has served on the MCWD’s Rule Making Task Force and is the council liaison to the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee.