Chloride is virtually impossible to remove from a waterbody. Once it's there, it's there for good. Just one teaspoon of salt contains enough chloride to pollute five gallons of water forever! And according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, we apply an estimated 365,000 tons of salt in the Twin Cities metro area each year. And what's even worse is that research shows that 78 percent of that salt is either transported to our groundwater supplies or remains in our local lakes and wetlands.

For the whole month of December, a display all about smart salting is up at the Northtown Library in Blaine. The display is a collaboration between the Anoka Conservation District and the Coon Creek Watershed District. It provides information about chloride pollution in Minnesota along with easy ways for residents to reduce their salt use while remaining safe this winter. When done viewing the display, library patrons can virtually sign the Smart Salting Pledge to reduce their salt use this season.

Learn more about smart de-icing practices here: https://www.mwmo.org/learn/preventing-water-pollution/snow-ice-removal/ 

Sign the Pledge here!

Join us for a webinar to discuss how water awareness and community action can improve water quality in Minnesota watersheds.

About this Event

This online event will bring together stakeholders to discuss water quality and conservation practices in Minnesota. Anoka County Soil and Water Conservation District, Rice Creek Watershed District, and Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization will highlight their work on these topics while informing attendees on what communities can do to safeguard local watersheds. Conservation Minnesota will facilitate a dialogue in how to use this information for engaging local leaders on water issues.

Presentation topics include:

• The Anoka Conservation District will highlight the important role of collaboration in water quality management and then take a look inward at the role we all play in keeping our waters healthy.
• The Rice Creek Watershed District will showcase its programs and discuss how anyone can participate in its available grant programs to help keep our waters clean.
• The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization will feature Amelia Lake; covering its watershed, connection to other lakes, and wildlife captured with remote cameras.
• Conservation Minnesota will present on transparency and accountability in local government and help Minnesotans understand the water and agriculture policy decisions elected officials make on our behalf as we approach the 2020 election.

Time for Q & A and audience discussion will be included.

Registration is Free:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taking-action-for-water-quality-and-conservation-tickets-118174363703

As part of a pilot project conducted by the Anoka County Parks and the Anoka Conservation District with funding from the MN DNR, volunteers are needed to collect observational data on boater behavior regarding preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species at Anoka County boat launches. Volunteers will be asked to observe boaters entering and exiting boat launches and record their observations on a data collection worksheet provided to them. This data will then be compiled and used to compare the behavior of boaters prior to and after installation of new boat cleaning equipment at the studied boat launches. Interested volunteers should contact Emily Johnson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about how they can be involved.

Requirements:

• Ability to travel to boat launches throughout Anoka County.
• Ability to sit outside for 1+ hours.
• Ability to send a scan or photograph of your data worksheet via email or text.
• Some familiarity with preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species is helpful, but not required. Training will be provided.

Time Commitment:

• Timing of volunteering is flexible and dependent on your availability. Weekends, early mornings, and evenings are preferred, but not required.
• A minimum of 1 hour volunteering is requested. There is no maximum number of hours one can volunteer.
• The most urgent need for volunteers is between September 1^st, 2020 and October 31^st, 2020, but there will be additional opportunities to volunteer from May 2021 through October 2021.

COVID-19 Safety Considerations:

• This opportunity is entirely outdoors and does not require contact with any other people. If contact with others does occur while volunteering, wearing a mask is recommended.
• Training will be conducted entirely over email, phone, or video conference.

Interested volunteers should contact Emily Johnson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about how they can be involved. 

Our local waterways need YOUR help! Sign up to adopt a storm drain before Labor Day and you'll receive a free tote bag*, perfect for showing off your dedication to your local environment. Program participants that refer a friend will also get a tote bag*!

Adopt a storm drain in your neighborhood to keep it free of leaves, trash, and other pollutants. Storm drains feed directly into our local lakes and rivers, unfiltered, so it's important to keep them clear for cleaner and healthier waterways. When pollutants reach our water, they feed the algae that turn lakes and rivers green, often choking out the food and oxygen wildlife needs to survive. Not to mention algae is ugly, stinky, and makes it difficult to enjoy our beloved water activities.

Adopting a drain FREE and so easy—it only takes a few minutes of your time each month. Do it at your convenience—whenever it works for you!

Though most cities sweep local streets about twice a year, debris collects and runs into local waterways year-round. Adopt-a-Drain asks residents to sign up to fill in the gaps in a city's capacity to keep streets clean. So far, over 12,000 drains have been adopted and over 200,000 pounds of debris has been kept out of our waterways by heroes who care about the environment like you. Will you be next to join the movement?

The Mississippi River and the 833 lakes in the Twin Cities metro area will thank you!

Learn more or sign up at https://www.adopt-a-drain.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/AdoptaDrainMN/

*while supplies last

Modified with permission from Clean Water MN