Minnesota is famous for its clean water, abundance of lakes, and friendly citizens. The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is a resource for protecting these assets. 

For more information on these programs, contact our Education and Engagement Coordinator. 

Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO)

NEMO is an educational program for members of city councils, planning/park commissioners, other local officials and city staff that addresses the relationship between land use decisions and water quality. We can come to city hall and provide workshops on:

• Linking Land Use to Water Quality (basics of stormwater)
• Linking Land Use to Lake Quality (lakeshore development)
• Natural Resource Based Planning/Open Space
• Low Impact Development
• Reducing Impervious Surfaces
• Local Ordinances for Water Quality
• Managing Stormwater in Urban Areas (redevelopment issues)

Click here to download a fact sheet about the program. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is a partner in Northland NEMO and the National NEMO Network.

Master Water Stewards

The Master Water Stewards program began as a partnership between the Freshwater Society and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, with funding provided by the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment.

Currently (run by Freshwater Society), the program works to recruit, inspire and train citizen volunteers who work in their own communities to organize and build projects to keep storm water and the pollutants carried by storm water from flowing into lakes and streams. Stewards receive intensive training on how to protect the lakes and streams from pollution in their neighborhood, in addition to community engagement.  

• Learn more about the program, and how to become a Master Water Steward
• Read the Clean Water Story