Transforming Urban Landscapes with CRWD Grants

As the snow melts, rivers of stormwater start to run along our streets and curbs, carrying polluted runoff to our lakes and the Mississippi River. Polluted runoff – stormwater that flows over hard surfaces like streets, sidewalks, and parking lots and into storm sewers – is a leading cause of water pollution in lakes and rivers in urban areas. Most of the land in CRWD has already been developed, so working with residents, non-profits, schools, businesses, and faith-based groups to build projects that prevent water pollution is essential for improving water quality.

CRWD grant programs provide financial and technical assistance to help build and fund projects that protect local lakes and the Mississippi River by preventing stormwater pollution and increasing clean water knowledge and action.

Above photo: A newly installed rain garden has two basins that capture runoff from the building’s roof.

Understanding and Improving Green Spaces with Natural Resource Inventories

CRWD recently worked with partners to complete two natural resource inventories (NRI). These documents aim to help watershed districts, the City of Saint Paul, landowners, and community groups understand, protect, and improve the natural resources in the project areas. Both NRIs include project area histories, specific site summaries, management opportunities, and prioritization matrices.

Visit the link below to learn more about the Natural Resource Inventories and find links to the full reports. 

Above photo: Payne-Phalen Dayton’s Bluff NRI Site 41 is the Swede Hollow Café Rain Gardens.

Mike MacDonald’s Nearly Two Decades with the CAC

Mike joined the CAC in August 2006 as a Como neighborhood resident passionate about the environment. Mike is a hydrologist and worked for the State of Minnesota for many years with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture. Before joining the CAC, Mike was active on the District 10 Como Community Council Environment Committee.

During his nearly two decades of service with the CAC, Mike devoted his time to protecting and improving our lakes and the Mississippi River by bringing attention to water and natural resources issues in and around Como Lake and throughout our watershed. Mike was instrumental in creating CRWD’s Watershed Steward Awards in 2014. Over ten years later, the Annual Watershed Stewards Award Program remains an important initiative. 

Visit the link below to learn more about Mike MacDonald's service with the CAC. 

Above photo: Mike MacDonald volunteering on behalf of CRWD at a Como Community Council Ice Cream Social. 

Walk and Reflect: Crosby Farm

Tierra Club x Capitol Region Watershed District 
Sunday, April 27 at Crosby Farm Regional Park

Put on your walking shoes, pack your water bottle, bring a journal and pen/pencil if you have one to join us for a Walk and Reflect event at Crosby Farm Regional Park.

We will meet at the south parking lot and begin an easy 3-mile walk through the park. As a group and in side-by-side pairings, participants will be invited to engage in meaningful conversations and reflection. Conversation prompts inspired by Maya Angelou’s poem, “On the Pulse of Morning”, will guide us as discussion questions throughout the day.

Our morning walk will include a short journaling activity at the Mississippi River, prompting people with the question: If you could write a love poem to the River, what would you write?

Visit the link below for more information and to registration. Registration would be great for planning but is not required.

CRWD Meetings and Events

Community Events