2022-23: Getting to know BIPOC and beginning farmers

This project focused on building relationships with small-scale, BIPOC, and beginning farmers in Washington County and was conducted in partnership with Big River Farms. National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) provided funding support.

2020: Protecting Drinking Water Sources in Southern Washington County

This 2020 Clean Water Fund Grant project focused on protecting drinking water quality in areas of rural southern Washington County that are vulnerable to groundwater contamination from nitrogen fertilizer.

2017-19: Master Water Stewards

A 2017 Clean Water Fund Grant provided funding to recruit and train 20 citizen volunteers as Master Water Stewards. We continue to work in partnership with Freshwater Society and our local Watershed Districts to support these Water Stewards.

2016: Invasive Species Management 

This 2016 Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Grant project focused on controlling and/or eliminating Garlic Mustard, Grecian Foxglove, Oriental Bittersweet, Japanese Knotweed, and Buckthorn in Washington County.

2016: Ag BMP Soluble Phosphorus Reduction

This 2016 Clean Water Fund Grant project focused on reducing phosphorus discharges to the St. Croix by enhancing the soluble phosphorus removal capacity of existing or newly constructed agricultural BMPs.

2014; Lake St. Croix Rural Subwatershed Project Implementation

This 2014 Clean Water Fund Grant project focused on reducing nutrient loading to Lake St. Croix by an estimated 80-160 pounds of phosphorus, or an estimated 1% reduction through conservation projects.

2014: Top50P! Phase II

This 2014 Clean Water Fund Grant project focused on identifying the top sources of Phosphorus (P) to the St. Croix River.

2014: Green Communities

This 2014 Clean Water Fund Grant project focused on engaging homeowners’ associations (HOAs) in clean water programs like raingardens.

2013: Neal Avenue raingardens

WCD worked with Brown’s Creek Watershed District (BCWD) to design nine street-side raingardens that protect Brown’s Creek from stormwater pollution.

2013: Turf to Prairie

This 2013 Clean Water Fund Grant project focused on converting maintained turf grass areas to prairie cover to reduce phosphorus contributions to the St. Croix Basin.

2012: Green Churches

This 2012 Clean Water Fund Grant project focused on stormwater management and pollutant reduction through raingarden plantings at four Washington County churches.

2012: Grecian Foxglove Management

This 2012 Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Grant project focused on controlling and/or eliminating Grecian Foxglove from roadsides in Washington County.

2012: St. Croix “Green” Marinas

2012 Clean Water Fund Grant project focused on reducing phosphorus and other nutrient loading into the St. Croix from local marinas.

2012: Trout Brook Restoration

WCD worked with South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) to identify and complete high priority projects to reduce runoff to Trout Brook. SWWD has since completed multiple stream restoration projects to restore aquatic habitat and reduce downstream phosphorus and sediment export to the St. Croix River.

2024: MSCWMO Riverway Landowner Survey

Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization (MSCWMO) worked with EMWREP staff to conduct a mailed survey of riverway landowners in Bayport, Lakeland, Lakeland Shores, Lake St. Croix Beach, St. Mary’s Point, and West Lakeland.

CLEAN WATER, LAND & LEGACY PROJECTS 

Numerous Washington Conservation District projects have received funding support from the Minnesota Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment. This program provides annual funding to:

• protect drinking water sources;

• protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat;

• preserve arts and cultural heritage;

• support parks and trails; and

• protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.

Those dollars are dedicated to four funds: Outdoor Heritage Fund, Clean Water Fund, Parks and Trails Fund, and Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Visit the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to read about Clean Water projects throughout the state.