The SWWD implements an annual education program aimed at improving the general knowledge of watershed residents of SWWD projects programs and their benefits. Increasing the general knowledge of the residents will also build support for watershed efforts as well as raise the awareness of watershed issues. The SWWD education program serves to fulfill two separate purposes. The first purpose is to provide educational information about the SWWD and watershed related topics. Satisfying the requirements of the SWWDs MS4 permit requirement for education on the six minimum control measures is the second purpose. SWWD annual education program is divided into three elements: 1) support for regional education efforts supported by many watershed organizations and other Local Government Units; 2) County-wide education efforts supported by watershed organizations, Cities and Washington County; 3) educational efforts directed specifically at local issues associated with the SWWD.
Education Resources
South Washington Watershed District is a founding member of the East Metro Water Resource Education Program (EMW), a partnership formed to develop a comprehensive water resource education and outreach program for the east metro area of St. Paul, MN. Members of EMW include Brown’s Creek, South Washington, and Valley Branch Watershed Districts, Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization, the cities of Dellwood, Forest Lake, Stillwater, and Willernie, Washington County and the Washington Conservation District. The EMW region covers all of Washington County as well as a small portion of Ramsey County. The goal of EMW is to reduce non-point source water pollution from storm water runoff and illicit discharges by educating citizens, municipal staff and officials, developers and businesses.
East Metro Water Blog
The blog features EMWREP articles published in local newspapers, as well as links to partner websites and resources for residents.
EMW Education Updates – Summer 2013
EMW Education Updates – Spring 2013
EMW Education Updates – Fall 2012
EMW Education Updates – Fall 2011
EMW Education Updates – Summer 2011 part2
EMW Education Updates – Summer 2011
EMW Education Updates – Spring 2011
EMW Education Updates – Winter 2011
EMW Education Updates – Fall 2010
EMW Education Updates – Summer 2010
EMW Education Updates – Spring 2010
EMW Education Updates – Winter 2009
EMW Education Updates – Aug and Sept 2009
EMW Education Updates – June and July 2009
EMW Education Updates – April and May 2009
EMW Education Updates – January – March 2009
Blue Thumb – Planting for Clean Water is an exciting new program to help you budget, design and plant native flower gardens, rain gardens and shoreline stabilizing gardens on your property. Blue Thumb gardens are beautiful and easy to maintain, as well as helping to improve local water quality. The Blue Thumb website, www.BlueThumb.org, contains a variety of resources for new gardeners, including plant selection guides, links to local retailers, how-to manuals and garden blueprints.
You can also visit the Cottage Grove, Newport and Woodbury Libraries for information about the Blue Thumb Program. Information kiosks at the libraries make several resources available to visitors, including Blue Thumb brochures and bookmarks, rain garden how-to manuals, and flyers listing partner nurseries, web resources and local gardens to visit.
The South Washington Watershed District is a proud supporter of Blue Thumb – Planting for Clean Water. You can also contact the Washington Conservation District for technical assistance on Blue Thumb planting projects. WCD staff can conduct a free site visit at your home to make landscaping suggestions and can assist you in designing your gardens. For more information contact Angie Hong at (651) 275-1136 ex. 35 or angie.hong@mnwcd.org.
Blue Thumb Presentations and Workshop Materials for SWWD – Click Here..
Rain Garden Photos
All Saints Lutheran Church -2009
Colby Lake-2010