2021 Metro WBIF - Lower MN North- RBWMO - Youth Education Program
Project support for a non-structural program: In a partnership with the Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends (MVRF), the Richfield Bloomington Watershed Management Organization (RBWMO) seeks to fund a youth education program with a curriculum focused around basic hydrologic and ecological principles. The course will be taught by a professional educator, licensed through the State of Minnesota. Course materials, the educator?s time, transport and facilities will be at no cost to participating schools. Majority of funding will be covered by the RBWMO with assistance from the MVRF. The curriculum consists of five hour-long classroom visits and culminates in a field trip to the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge. Each student will sign a pledge and will commit to an action step aimed at benefiting water in their own lives. The course will work to increase knowledge on hydrologic and ecological principles, increased ability to positively impact water resources and increased confidence to be a water steward. Outcomes will be measured with a before-after survey, tracking of signed pledges and chosen action steps.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(Watershed Based Implementation Funding)(a) $13,591,000 the first year and $13,375,000 the second year are for performance-based grants with multiyear implementation plans to local government units. The grants may be used to implement projects that protect, enhance, and restore surface water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking water sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan or metropolitan surface water management frameworks or groundwater plans. Grant recipients must identify a nonstate match and may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph.
1. Increased knowledge (understanding of watersheds, of how water interacts with environment and of water stewardship)
2. Increased ability to positively impact water resources
3. Increased confidence to be a water steward
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS