Protecting natural resources at home and in your community

10 things you can do to protect Minnesota lakes, rivers, and streams

No matter where you live, your choices are powerful because our water system is connected. The raindrops that fall on our streets flow through storm drains that empty directly into our lakes, creeks, rivers, and wetlands.

Raindrops pick up chemicals, pollutants, and debris that they touch along the way. Every point in a raindrop’s path is an opportunity to improve our water quality.

See the 10 things you can do to protect Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and streams brochure (PDF).

Sign up to adopt a drain

Water entering the storm drains on our streets flow directly into the nearest body of water, carrying leaves, grass, soil, litter, and anything else picked up along the way. This clogs stormwater infrastructure, contributes to street flooding, harms wildlife, and pollutes our waters.

You can help by adopting a storm drain and volunteering just 15 minutes, twice a month, to keep it clean. Learn more, sign up, and report your impact. To learn how to sort the litter you pick up, refer to the waste sort guide for litter cleanups (PDF).

Create habitat for pollinators

Pollinators like bees and butterflies are essential for the food we eat, the health of our environment and the beauty of our world.

We rely on native bees and other pollinators to pollinate fruits and vegetables like apples, tomatoes, pumpkins, and strawberries. Pollination is also critical for the production of oils, fibers, biofuels, and dairy and meat products. Unfortunately, pollinator populations are declining. But we can all help — residential yards have huge potential as pollinator habitat. 

Plant a bee lawn

Provide habitat for pollinators (and cut down on yard work!) by replacing your turfgrass with low-growing native plants.

• Be a champion of pollinator habitat: Plant native pollinator friendly flowers at home and encourage landlords, neighbors, and local businesses to join in too!
• Leave your gardens messy: Last year’s plants, leaves, seedheads and stems provide important winter and nesting habitat.
• Keep flowers clean: Do not treat flowers with pesticides.

Learn more:

• Pollinator habitat flyer (PDF)
• University of Minnesota Extension growing landscapes to help bees and other pollinators
• Blue Thumb planting for clean water and pollinators
• Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources lawns to legumes program and pollinator resources
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources pollinator resources

Provide habitat for birds and bats

The 300 bird species and at least seven bat species that call Hennepin County home play a vital role in our ecosystems. Birds spread seeds, pollinate flowers and trees, and create places for other animals to nest. Bats control pests and provide fertilizer. Birds and bats also give us entertainment, inspiration, and connections to nature!

Unfortunately, bird and bat populations are threatened by habitat loss, cat predation, collisions with buildings and cars, pesticides, plastics, diseases, and climate change. The good news: there are many actions we can take to work against these threats and help our flying friends!

Download and print the bird BINGO card (PDF) to get to know the birds living in your neighborhood.

Learn more about how to support backyard bird populations (PDF), provide habitat for birds (PDF), and build and maintain a bat house (PDF).

These and other print materials covering a wide variety of environmental topics are available to individuals, community groups, municipalities and schools in Hennepin County at no charge.

See what's available and place an order.

Be a responsible pet owner and scoop that poop

Being a pet owner comes with many responsibilities, and let’s be honest, they aren’t all fun! Even though picking up pet waste is not anyone’s favorite task, it is undoubtedly better than swimming in it. Download the pet waste flyer (PDF) to learn more.

What’s the problem with pet waste?

Pet waste that isn’t picked up washes into nearby storm drains in the street and directly into our lakes, rivers, and streams with no filtering. This waste adds excess nutrients into the water, which can cause algae blooms leading to beach closures in the summer.

Pet waste also pollutes the water with harmful bacteria such as E. coli. Bacteria in the water can harm our health and transmit diseases to pets and wildlife.

The solution is easy!

Although we don’t love to talk about it, picking up your pet waste is a big deal. Not only does it make you a responsible pet owner, but it helps protect water quality and public health. Not to mention, it’s the law. Help keep our waters safe for swimming and fishing by scooping that poop! Learn more from the West Metro Water Alliance.

Get inspiration and tips for taking action on Clean Water MN

Clean Water MN celebrates metro area residents who take actions to protect water. The website tells the stories of local residents acting both independently and collectively to have a positive impact on water quality. Tips, resources, and how-tos are also included to help anyone who wants to join in protecting lakes and rivers.

We can have an even greater impact by working together and taking action in our communities. Here are some ways to get involved. 

Become a Minnesota Water Steward

The Minnesota Water Stewards program equips community leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to help improve the health of our water from the grassroots level. Stewards are certified by participating in a broad training curriculum led by experts in the fields of hydrology, stormwater management, groundwater health, water policy, community-based social marketing, landscape assessment, and installation of clean water practices.

At the end of the certification process, stewards complete a capstone project that improves the health of local water while involving and educating their community. Stewards then become a point of knowledge and influence in their communities.

The program is offered by the Freshwater in coordination with partners, and Hennepin County sponsors a cohort of Minnesota Water Stewards each year. Learn more about becoming a Minnesota Water Steward.

Learn more about the capstone projects, outcomes, and reach of county's water stewards: Minnesota Water Stewards: Hennepin County cohorts 2018-2023 (PDF)

Take a tree steward class

Tree steward classes cover the basics of tree biology, tree planting, watering, pruning, and tree health through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on, outdoor field experience. Classes are offered in partnership with the University of Minnesota and host cities.

After completing the class, volunteers have opportunities to help plant and care for trees with the county and partnering organizations.

Classes are open to the public, and no experience is needed. The University of Minnesota provides the necessary tools and safety equipment.

Natural resources good steward grants

Turn your environmental ideas into reality with support from a Natural Resources Good Steward Grant. Funding is available for projects that improve water quality, enhance natural areas, and promote environmental stewardship to the community.

Typical projects include rain gardens, stream bank stabilization, and native vegetation restoration. Grants also support unique ideas and neighborhood and community driven projects.

Lawns to Legumes pollinator habitat grants

Lawns to Legumes is a collaboration between Blue Thumb, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and Minnesota residents to establish residential pollinator habitat to support at-risk pollinator species.

Lawns to Legumes focuses on promoting four planting types: pocket plantings, trees and shrubs that benefit pollinators, pollinator lawns, and pollinator meadows. The planting types require varying amounts of time, space, money, and maintenance, meaning there is a project for just about everyone!

The program aims to protect the federally endangered state bee, the rusty patched bumble bee, and other at-risk pollinators. Even relatively small plantings of native flowers can help pollinators by building and connecting important habitat corridors.

The individual support portion of the program includes cost-share funding, workshops, landowner coaching and site visits. Learn more about Lawns to Legumes.

Watershed grants

Several watershed organizations in Hennepin County offer grants to individual or groups of residents for projects that protect and improve water quality and restore habitat. Find out what watershed you are located in to see if you are eligible.

Lower Minnesota River cost share incentive and water quality restoration program

Cost share funds are available to public or private landowners for projects that protect water quality, reduce erosion, address invasive species, restore habitat, and provide education.

Many types of projects are eligible for grant money, including rain gardens, shoreline restoration, permeable pavers, and buckthorn removal with native restoration. The Lower Minnesota River Watershed covers portions of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, and Minneapolis.

Learn more about the cost share incentive program.

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization community grants

Community grants are available to non-profit organizations, neighborhood groups, businesses, and schools for short-term or small-scale water quality projects. Eligible projects including community events, programs for youth and community leadership development, educational and technical training, art or media projects, installation of small best management practices demonstrations, community engagement, and educational signs and materials.

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organizations covers portions of Minneapolis and St. Anthony Village.

Learn more about the community grants.

Nine Mile Creek stewardship and habitat restoration grants

Stewardship grants help homeowners, associations, businesses, schools, and other organizations install projects that prevent stormwater pollution, such as rain gardens, shoreline buffers, and permeable pavers.

Habitat restoration grants help homeowners, associations, businesses, schools, and other organizations install projects that restore native plant and wildlife habitat and lead to a healthier ecosystem. The Nine Mile Creek Watershed covers portions of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Richfield.

Learn more about the stewardship and habitat restoration grants.

Shingle Creek cost share program

Financial and technical assistance is available to private property owners, including businesses and corporations, groups of residents, not-for-profit and religious organizations, and public and private schools to protect and improve water and natural resources.

Projects include rain gardens, permeable pavers, cisterns, green roofs, and converting hard surfaces to grass or native plants. The Shingle Creek Watershed covers portions of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale.

Learn more about the cost share program.

Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek watershed stewardship grants

Financial support and resources are available to residents and organizations for clean water projects, including rain gardens, native plant buffers, wetland restorations, rainwater reuse, erosion control or tree trenches.

The Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed covers portions of Bloomington, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Shorewood.

Learn more about the watershed stewardship grants.

City rebate programs

Eden Prairie water conservation rebates

Landscaping rebates are available to Eden Prairie residents for native plant landscape projects such as shoreline buffers, rain gardens or pollinator gardens designed and constructed to treat stormwater runoff.

Irrigation and water reuse system rebates are available to Eden Prairie residents for smart irrigation systems that conserve water by tailoring watering schedules to your yard and automatically monitoring weather conditions, soil moisture levels, evaporation and much more.

Learn more about the water conservation rebates.

Minneapolis stormwater credits

Credits on monthly stormwater fees are available to Minneapolis residential property owners who install rain gardens and permeable pavement. Credits are based on how much stormwater on the property is captured, and eligible properties can review up to a 50% credit on their monthly stormwater fee. Learn more about the stormwater credits.

Entities involved in natural resources management

Many entities are involved in protecting natural resources, and each provide different services and resources. In Hennepin County, organizations involved include 45 cities, 11 watershed organizations, and two park districts — Three Rivers Park District and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Hennepin County soil and water conservation district

Soil and water conservation districts have been established throughout Minnesota to conserve soil, water, and related natural resources on private land.

Hennepin County is the soil and water conservation district for the county, which is a unique situation in Minnesota.

Conservation services that Hennepin County provides include:

• Enforcement of the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA)
• Establishment, restoration, maintenance, and monitoring of conversation easements.
• Delivery of environmental education and outreach programs and volunteer opportunities
• Technical assistance to local governments
• Development and maintenance of natural resources inventories and the natural resources interactive map
• Financial and technical assistance to landowners for natural resources projects

Learn more about conservation services provided by Hennepin County.

Watershed organizations

What is a watershed

A watershed is an area of land that catches rain, snow, and any other form of water and drains to a common lake, stream, wetland or groundwater. Watersheds come in all different shapes and sizes. Smaller watersheds drain into larger watersheds, much like a creek drains into a river. Some watersheds cross county, state, and international borders.

The rain water that falls on your house, lawn or driveway runs into a nearby lake, river or stream. This water, like all the surface water in Hennepin County, will flow into the Mississippi River and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico. Actions taken to protect or pollute water will impact the quality of lakes, rivers or wetlands downstream.

Watershed districts in Hennepin County

Watershed districts are local, special-purpose units of government that work to solve and prevent water-related problems. The boundaries of each district generally follow those of a natural watershed and consist of land in which all water flows to one outlet.

Depending on the watershed, they may provide educations programs, grants, and technical assistance.

There are 11 watershed organizations in Hennepin County. The find your watershed tool from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization can help you figure out what watershed you live in.

The watershed organizations in Hennepin County are:

• Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission
• Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission
• Lower Minnesota River Watershed District
• Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
• Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
• Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
• Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed Management Commission
• Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management Organization
• Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District
• Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission
• West Mississippi River Watershed Management Commission

Funding and technical assistance available to rural, agricultural, and large lot landowners

Hennepin County, in coordination with state agencies and programs, provides funding and technical assistance to landowners managing agricultural, large lot, and rural land.

See information for managing rural and agricultural land, including a landowner guide, project funding and assistance, buffers and ditches, and inspection programs.

If you are interested in habitat restoration or conservation, see land protection and restoration for information on conservation easements, conservation reserve enhancement programs, and wetlands.