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NEWSLETTER / DECEMBER 2022
 A winner has been declared in the friendly competition between several north metro communities in Anoka County to see who could adopt the most stormdrains in 2022.
Columbia Heights is the winner of the 2022 Community Adopt-A-Drain Challenge. Andover took the second-place slot, followed by Fridley and Blaine. (Fridley won the “Most Improved” title.) The winning community will hold onto the “golden trash grabber” for another year.
This year’s competition resulted in 115 new drains adopted, 689 drain cleanups, 37 new adopters and more than 3,000 pounds of debris removed. Thank you to all the stormdrain adopters for their hard work!
Minnesota Water Steward Michelle Spangler organized the first Adopt-a-Drain challenge in Northeast Minneapolis. It’s exciting to see the model successfully exported to other communities.
You can help! Adopting a stormdrain is one of the easiest and most direct ways you can help protect water quality.
MWMO Welcomes Emmy Baskerville as Projects and Grant Specialist
The MWMO is pleased to welcome Emmy Baskerville to our team.
As our Projects and Grant Specialist, Emmy will be working with our partners and communities to implement our Capital Project and Stewardship Fund Grant programs.
Emmy is passionate about native plants, ecological restoration, and exploring the opportunities to create spaces for native species within our urban landscape. She has worked in the water resources field for 17 years, most recently with Houston Engineering, Inc.
She holds a B.S. in Biology, Plant Science and Environmental Science from Minnesota State University—Mankato and is a Minnesota Certified Wetland Professional.
You can learn more on Emmy’s bio page.
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MWMO Welcomes Mary Yang as Community Outreach Specialist
We are excited to share the news that former Mississippi River Green Team member Mary Yang has joined the MWMO as a permanent, full-time staff member.
In her new role as Community Outreach Specialist, Mary will support the communications and outreach team and serve as the MWMO’s lead on youth education and outreach programming.
Mary will now be managing the Green Team, of which she was a member from 2013 to 2014. (Four of her siblings are also Green Team alumni!) She is looking forward to helping other Green Teamers pursue environmental careers.
Mary received her B.S. in Urban Studies from Augsburg University with double minors in environmental studies and sociology. She previously worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
You can learn more on Mary’s bio page.
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 Plastics can be a hassle – they create clutter and can be confusing to recycle – plus they contribute to litter, harm water and wildlife, and have largely unknown health impacts for us.
Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do to help create a plastic-free world, from learning more about plastic waste and recycling to making simple swaps to advocating for changes in your community and sharing your story with others.
Be part of the solution to reduce waste, protect water and wildlife, address climate change, and look after the health of ourselves and future generations by joining the Hennepin County Plastic-Free Challenge.
Fibersheds and Watersheds: A Weaving Water Free Indigo and Fiber Workshop
 Photo by Maddy Bartsch
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 10 a.m.–Noon @ MWMO
Learn the basics of spinning, or yarn-making — one of the oldest human technologies — in Sarah Nassif’s next Weaving Water workshop.
Maddy Bartsch of Three Rivers Fibershed will lead us in a spinning circle as she helps us visualize a regional soil-to-soil fiber system. Spin your own length of yarn to dye in the organic indigo vat. See and try different types of spinning tools and sample techniques. No fiber or textile experience needed whatsoever!
Learn more and reserve a spot on the Eventbrite page.
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