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iVfinnesota Coznanurtity Education Association Rice Creek Watershed Youth Steward5}~ip and Public Awaren 5 Pr~ram The Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA) is applying for a Twin Cities Water Quality Initiative giant from the Metropolitan Council to educate youth and adults about non-point source pollution issues. This will occur through public awareness activities and youth community service projects addressing water quality issues. IvICEA will promote water quality issues in local communities through three related goals: 1) Involve 30 - 40 school and youth groups (over 500 students) in community service projects related to water quality issues. Examples of projects include: water quality monitoring, storm drain stenciling, strearnbank erosion control and public education. Educators will receive training in use of "Give Water a Hand" vouth action guides, developed by the National 4-H Council in partnership ~,vith 20 national water education organizations, to help them conduct needs assessments, plan and carry out projects, and work effectively with local water quality experts. 2) Organize a Watershed Congress event for participating school and community groups to share service project experiences, network with resource agencies anti promote public awareness of water quality needs in the watershed. Approximately 250 - 300 participants will be involved. 3) Promote public awareness of water quality issues throughout the watershed through Community Education programs, public education classes, and catalogues, which are mailed to every household in the school districts. Promotion of youth service projects will also occur through local and regional media coverage. MCEA is anon-profit organization serving the state's nearly 400 school district-based Community Education programs. The MCEA Environmental Education Project, established in 1991, seeks to integrate awareness of and action on local environmental concerns through Community Education programs, including Early Childhood Family Education, Adult Basic Education, Adult Enrichment, Youth Developxnent, Senior Services, Parent Education, and School-Community Partnerships. Sponsoring Partner: Rice Creek Watershed District Proposed Projec# Collaborators Include: School Districts of Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, Centennial, Roseville, Mahtomedi, St. Anthony, Moundsview, Columbia Heights and Fridley. e Washington, Ramsey, Anoka and Hennepin Soil and Water Conservation Districts ® Ramsey, Washington, Anoka and Hennepin Extension Services Anoka Parks and Recreation Department -Wargo Nature Center ® Vadnais Lake Watershed Management Organization • Grass Lake Watershed Management Organization ® MN Pollaztion Control Agency For more information, contact Susan and Rich Cairn at 46x2) 722-5806