The Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (District) has determined that large impervious sites (like churches, commercial sites, and schools) are more economical for stormwater management retrofit projects than distributed small projects along roadways. Analysis of the watershed land use indicates that large impervious sites are typically commercial properties (primarily retail), churches, and schools. The District began assessing church sites for retrofit opportunities in 2013 and will continue this effort in 2014.
This Legacy grant will focus on the too-often neglected local school districts that have generally not participated in the CDM SSP at the same level as distant schools in surrounding counties. A new CDM interactive exhibit is badly needed to draw back visitors who have been looking for something new at the Museum for children.
Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) strategic acquisition (~85 acres) will conserve Minnesota's most unique places and rare species for everyone's benefit.
This project, SEA Us Write & Design Fellowship, is an arts and cultural education program aimed at helping lower-income Minnesota Southeast Asian youth aged 16-18 develop as writers and artists. The program will provide creative writing classes and internships during summer breaks and after school, offering inclusive spaces and culturally relevant activities. Participants will have the opportunity to express themselves, develop leadership skills, and foster relationships with peers and positive adult mentors.
Approximately 70 percent of all Minnesotans rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. Wells used for drinking water must be properly sealed when removed from service to protect both public health and Minnesota’s invaluable groundwater resources. The Minnesota Department of Health protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper sealing of unused wells.
Clean Water funds are being provided to well owners as a 50% cost-share assistance for sealing unused public water-supply wells.
This education project will continue building the next generation of conservationists in Minnesota by engaging youths and adults in science and outdoor learning through radio, podcasts, newsletters and schoolyard exploration.
Due to the significant increase of Veterans participation at the campground, Last year we had over 35,000 visitors, there is a major concern for the safety and security of all of the visitors on the camp. Installing a maintenance free vinyl fence, along the road coming into the camp, along with two barrier arms at the entry point by the camp office would insure controlled access to the camp.
The Children’s Discovery Museum (CDM) continued aggressive School Service Program (SSP) enrollment strategies to reach the seven new counties of Becker, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena. A new Wizard of Oz exhibit was mounted in time for the 75th Anniversary Celebration, June 10-14, 2014.
Forest Lake is one of the top recreational lakes in the metro area and protecting its water quality is a top priority for the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District. While not currently on the impaired waters list, the water quality of Forest Lake is very near the water quality standard. Shields Lake has been identified as the single largest pollutant contributor to Forest Lake. This project proposes to impound water from a tributary to Shields Lake for golf course irrigation reuse, reducing watershed phosphorus loads to Shields Lake.
State leadership for the 4-H Shooting Sports & Wildlife Program, including staff and 4-H volunteer committee members, will provide a menu of equipment options for local programs to choose from as a means to build their Shooting Sports & Wildlife project. Local programs will submit a grant application justifying how the new equipment will help them build and grow their program, attract and engage new audiences, and provide sustainability in their local chapter.
The St. Croix River is one of the most pristine, large river ecosystems remaining in the upper Mississippi River System. Washington County, in partnership with the City of Stillwater, is using this appropriation to acquire 15 acres containing 3,500 feet of St. Croix River shoreline just north of downtown Stillwater and parallel to the Brown’s Creek State Trail. The land will be turned into a local nature park for trail users, river users, tourists, and area residents with passive recreation including fishing, boat launching, walking, and picnicking.
This project, entitled Sing Again, aims to preserve Somali lullabies, originally passed generation to generation through oral tradition, by transcribing them in children's lullaby book and creating website for resource-sharing and archival so that future generations of children can use them.
The Six Lakes subwatershed analysis will utilize previously completed watershed modeling to conduct subwatershed analyses for six high priority lakes that are closest to meeting state water quality standards or require protection due to high public use and declining water quality trends. This project will develop a long list of cost benefit ranked water quality best management practices based on concept design.
The Children's Discovery Museum in Grand Rapids will build on recent enrollment momentum and further increase participation with its School Service Program, which takes down the economic barriers for visiting school groups. The Legacy grant will fund more educators and facilitators, curriculum development, scholarship aid, transportation assistance, art and teaching supplies, and the addition of a new exhibit to the museum.
