2003-08-14_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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Education and Public Involvement The long term goal ofi the Education and Public InyolVement Program is to create self- sustaining initiatives sponsored by a range of watershed partners. The District works to provide educational resources for many interests, from developers to local .government •" officials, schools, businesses and volunteers. Once educated, these target audiences are encouraged to take action. Some recent highlights are included here.. - Expanding and Sustaining Public Involvement Volunteers have served on Citizen Advisory Committees since 1975, but in the 1990s vol- unteers have been asked to serve-in an increasingly broader scope of activities. Many of the District's projects are powered by volunteers, and the District honored these commit- ted individuals at a Recognition Dinner in January 2003. Schoollnitiatives In`the 2001-2002 school year, 485 students in 21 classrooms at nine St. Paul schools and approximately 325 students in 13 classrooms iri North St. Paul, Oa(cdale and Maplewood used the District's new K-12 curriculum. During the year students studied nonpoint source pollution, native plants, seed propagation and restoration. The St. Paul schools alone logged 3,000 student hours culminating in students helping to plant the restored shoreline at Lake Phalen. Cleveland NTiddle School, with the assis- tance of the District, has adopted Ames Lake and the surrounding wetland. Working with Cities To meet new requirements of the fiederal Clean Water Act, cities and the District are - wr-iting plans to improve stormwater runoff-management and provide public education on water quality issues. The District is-assisting cities in the watershed as they implement G G It is a thrill to see teenagers promoting watershed stewardship based on their experiences gained as younger students - it shows our programs are working, and it is a good sign for - the future of our watershed. ' ., -PLANNING AND EDUCATION COORDINATOR LOUISE WATSON Y. --- ~their plans and develop public education programs. In January 2003, the•District spon- sored aworkshop to outline requirements and highlight best management practices for protecting our water resources. One outcome of the workshop was the formation of a working group, made up of District and city employees, which will address the water planning requirements and work cooperatively on implementation. The District is also working to collaborate with cities on education projects and work to address street and stormwatersystems, lawn care management, permit coordination, land use planning and other issues. i''3 `7 2 ?`.~ rt ~<, ~x - s' ~~ ~. ~~ ~;