Every 5 years MCWD recognizes community members who have made significant contributions or accomplishments that improve the quality of water, and by extension, the quality of life in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.

The 2017 Watershed Heroes award recipients were announced at the concluding event of our 50^th anniversary event series, the Sunset Celebration, on Thursday, November 2 at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis. Learn about the awardees.

MCWD Watershed Heroes Award Categories and Criteria

• Partnership - Given to an organization or individual that has effectively leveraged their assets in partnership with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to achieve exceptional results in natural resource management, integrate their work with the District's and add broader value to the community.
  
  
• Innovation - Given to an organization or individual that has implemented innovative policies, programs, or projects to protect and improve quality of water, quality of life in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed.
  
  
• Excellence - Given to an organization or individual that achieves outstanding natural resource benefits in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.

• Sound Science - Given to an organization or individual that makes a meaningful contribution to the scientific body of knowledge related to natural resource protection.

• Service - Given to an organization or individual that has demonstrated a commitment to the environment or whose actions have resulted in the protection or improvement of natural resources in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed.
  
  
• Young Naturalist - Given to an organization or individual that has demonstrated a commitment to the environment or whose actions have resulted in the protection or improvement of natural resources in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed.
  
  
• Cynthia Krieg Lifetime Stewardship Award - Given will be given to an individual who has, during his or her lifetime, played a significant and lasting role in watershed management and demonstrated leadership in natural resources stewardship.

Photos of the 2017 Watershed Heroes