Events | Organizations | Water Quality Data
There are events across the state and nationwide that promote the protection and enhancement of water resources. Search below for events in Central Minnesota and worldwide:
Looking for a particular month? February, March, April, May, June, September
Voices for the Lakes Essay Contest
February 1, 2010
Use the lakes as your inspiration, in the 2010 Voices for the Lakes Essay contest. Essays should describe a connection with Minnesota’s greatest natural resource – its lakes. Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. February 1.
http://www.1000fom.org/news/1000-friends/voices-lakes-essay-contest
World Wetlands Day
February 2, 2010
Each year government agencies, NGOs and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits and, in particular, of the Ramsar Convention.
http://www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-63-78%5E24106_4000_0__
National Ground Water Awareness Week
March 7-13, 2010
About half the U.S. population receives its drinking water from wells! And more than 90 percent of the fresh water in the United States and around the world is ground water. Ground Water Awareness Week spotlights groundwater, as a valuable and renewable resource.
http://www.ngwa.org/public/awarenessweek/index.aspx
Fix a Leak Week – U.S. EPA WaterSense Program
March 15-21, 2010
Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, 11,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks? By making just a few small changes to your daily routine, you can save a significant amount of water, save money and preserve water supplies for future generations. The WaterSense label will help you identify high-efficiency products and programs.
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/fix_a_leak.html
National Environmental Education Week: Be Water and Energy Wise
April 11-17, 2010
National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) is the largest organized environmental education event in the United States. EE Week increases the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of educational preparation, learning, and activities in K-12 classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums. By participating in EE Week, you encourage your students to make a difference in their schools, homes, and communities! EE Week’s 2010 theme is Be Water and Energy Wise.
Mississippi River Forum: Improving Water Quality with Innovative Stormwater Techniques
National Park Service
April 16, 2010
7:30-9:00 a.m.
St. Cloud City Council Chambers
400 2nd Street South, St. Cloud, 56301
There’s no question that stormwater runoff’s impacts on water quality are receiving more and more scrutiny. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering strengthening its stormwater regulations, and, locally, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) projects likely will require significant changes to how we handle stormwater runoff throughout the region. What are some approaches that communities can use to effectively implement stormwater improvements? Are there certain techniques that just won’t work in our climate? Landscape architect Joni Giese will discuss how creek daylighting and green infrastructure projects are now being used to address water quality in new- and redevelopments, and will highlight several successful Minnesota examples. Join us for this conversation, as well as a demonstration of how the stormwater BMP cards that Ms. Giese helped develop can lead to innovative stormwater solutions for your area
Drinking Water Week
May 2-8, 2010
For more than 30 years, the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week – a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.
http://www.awwa.org/Government/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3862&navItemNumber=3863
River Rally
Paddle for the Planet
May 23, 2010
The mission is to study and reveal the connections between ourselves, the river and the planet. The trip will culminate in a River Rally where people and boats will join Paddle for the Planet led by David Abazs for the last four days of their trip from St. Cloud to St. Paul to raise money for non-profit organizations devoted to the river, energy and agricultural issues.
http://www.round-river.com/mississippi.html
World Environment Day
June 5, 2010
Commemorated each year on June 5, World Environment Day is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
World Oceans Day
June 8, 2010
Since 2002, The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network have helped to promote and coordinate World Oceans Day events worldwide. We help coordinate events and activities with aquariums, zoos, museums, conservation organizations, universities, schools, and businesses. Each year an increasing number of countries and organizations have been marking June 8th as an opportunity to celebrate our world ocean and our personal connection to the sea.
http://www.theoceanproject.org/wod/index.php
Shoreland Conservation in Urban Settings
June 9, 2010
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. (check-in 12:30 p.m.)
Collegeville, MN
Fee: $60
The original 1970 shoreland rules applied to just counties and not cities. Over time, the rules were amended to apply to both. However, the issues facing an urbanizing community or communities that have been largely built out or are undergoing redevelopment can be quite different from the typical “up north” Greenfield development people often associate with shoreland development. How can effective shoreland conservation be achieved in an urban setting? This half-day workshop provides information on new tools, how draft rules can be applied, local examples, much more.
For complete details on these programs and to register, go to http://www.mngts.org/LandUse/index.html. Questions? Contact Carol Schoeneck, cschoeneck@mngts.org or 651-222-7409 x205.
World Water Monitoring Day
September 18, 2010
World Water Monitoring Day is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies. Participants are encouraged to register their site and report their data before December 31 to be included in the Year in Review report. Test kits can be ordered online and resources are available as free downloads.
http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/index.html