Minnesota Water Stewards

Community leadership for clean water

Since Freshwater developed the Minnesota Water Stewards program in 2013, nearly 500 Stewards have been certified and are volunteering their time for watershed districts, cities, counties, and environmental groups; participating on city and local government boards; influencing policy; and improving the health of our waters. To date, they have:

• Connected with thousands of people through outreach and educational events.
• Installed or planned hundreds of projects, including raingardens, rain barrels, cisterns, dry creek beds, permeable driveways, prairie restorations, home water audits, school gardens, library education programs, and more.
• Created art that informs, educates, and inspires others to take action for water
• Prevented millions gallons of polluted stormwater runoff from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams each year!

Goal: Engage and support volunteer leaders to make a difference for water in local issues throughout the state.

Annual Budget: Currently only 10% funded from partner organizations, small grants.

Partners: 23 partners including watershed districts, counties, cities, nonprofits, and nearly 500 Steward volunteers!