Community leadership for clean water
Minnesota Water Stewards Now Offered Statewide!
Minnesotans care about water in their communities. Many are looking for their next step in action for healthy, sustainable water. Through the Minnesota Water Stewards program, Freshwater empowers community members with tools to be water champions in their neighborhoods and across the state. In January of 2026, we are excited to launch a new version of the program that will allow us to support more Stewards than ever. We are pleased to expand our reach and invite all Minnesotans, throughout the state, to join the growing community of leaders working for clean water. Read below to learn how you can get involved!
Who are Minnesota Water Stewards?
- Minnesota Water Stewards are volunteer community leaders who work to protect and improve water while engaging their communities around local water issues.
- Stewards complete an online certification course that covers a variety of water-related topics in modules including basic hydrology, water governance and policy, community engagement, and landscaping for water quality. Stewards then choose at least one action step they will take from a suite of options and resources, such as chlorides, climate change, and drinking water.
- After completing the course, Stewards serve as leaders and connectors in the community.
- Since the program began in 2013, more than 500 volunteers have been certified.
- Minnesota Water Stewards is a program of Freshwater supported by many partner organizations including watershed districts, municipalities, counties, and other nonprofits.
Standard Steward training is held annually. The general program calendar is as follows:
- Fall: Application available.
- December 15: Deadline to apply.
- January - April: Guided certification course runs.
- May: Online course is complete! Time to choose an action step and make a plan to achieve it.
- October: Stewards gather at the annual Confluence of Water Stewards event!
For more information:
Visit minnesotawaterstewards.org and apply here!
Or contact:
Alex Van Loh
Program Manager
651-313-5814
avanloh@freshwater.org
