Clean water education grants available

Project pre-proposals due September 14

Have a creative idea for teaching people about keeping our lakes, streams and wetlands clean? Apply for a grant from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD).

The MCWD is now accepting proposals for grants of up to $15,000 from the Cynthia Krieg Watershed Stewardship Fund. The grants assist local community organizations, schools, businesses and nonprofit groups in creating unique ways to help others understand the importance of keeping our lakes, streams and wetlands healthy. To qualify for funding, proposed activities must be within District boundaries and promote community involvement in natural resource protection.

“We are always interested in finding innovative ways to educate people about protecting and improving our water resources,” says MCWD Education Manager Darren Lochner. “Each year we receive a wide variety of proposals from passionate community members who want to make a difference and I look forward to seeing what applicants come up with this year.”

Engaging people about clean water can take many forms, as demonstrated by some recent grant recipients. Activities that were funded in the most recent grant cycle include the development of a hands-on, site-specific middle school curriculum about raingardens and pollinator gardens, programs that connect youth of various backgrounds with the waterways in their communities, workshops on re-using storm water, making rain barrels and maintaining clean water landscaping, an education initiative in local churches and a citizen science project exploring the link between the health of our water resources and insects, including pollinators.

Applicants are required to submit a pre-proposal by Wednesday, September 14, 2016. Pre-proposal applications are available online at www.minnehahacreek.org/cynthia-krieg. Staff will provide feedback on pre-proposals to assist applicants in finalizing their grant requests. Full proposals must be submitted to MCWD by October 7.

For additional information, contact MCWD Education Manager Darren Lochner at dlochner@minnehahacreek.org or 952-641-4524.

MCWD established the fund in 2000 in memory of Cynthia Krieg, whose life exemplified dedication to community service and natural resource protection.

This information was provided by Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), which is charged by state law to protect, improve and manage water resources. It does so through scientific research and monitoring, public education, cost share grant programs, permitting and collaborative efforts with the 27 cities, two townships and two counties (Hennepin and Carver) that are in the District. The District covers approximately 181 square miles, including Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls.

For more information, visit www.minnehahacreek.org.