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NEWSLETTER / SEPTEMBER 2024
Fall Colors and Protecting Water
 Where is your favorite spot to experience Fall?
Getting out to see fall colors is an annual tradition, and the Mississippi River Gorge is one of the top spots for breathtaking views. To make sure you catch the peak colors across Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers a handy Fall Color Finder so you can time your visit perfectly to catch nature’s vibrant display.
But why stop at just enjoying the season? You can enjoy fall and help the environment when you adopt-a-drain. By keeping drains clear of leaves and debris, you’ll protect our local waterways from excess nutrient pollution and contribute to healthier rivers and lakes.
Be sure to check out our Fall Yard Care guide, packed with tips to protect water quality while preparing your yard for the season!
Graco Park Opens Its Doors to the Community
 Graco Park is now open to the public.
Graco Park officially opened to the public on September 25, showcasing new green infrastructure and restored riverfront habitat in Northeast Minneapolis. Located on the former Scherer Lumber site, the park is the result of over a decade of collaboration among the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), the Graco Foundation, and the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO).
Funded in part by a $480,000 MWMO grant, the park features sustainable infrastructure, including stormwater infiltration basins, native habitat restoration, and a heated sidewalk snowmelt system. These green stormwater features will capture and treat 99 percent of the park’s runoff, significantly reducing phosphorus loading to the Mississippi River and expanding on previous habitat restoration work at Hall’s Island.
“At Graco Park, the river is clearly the star of the show. Not only did MPRB integrate respectful best practices and water management features that restore river health, but thoughtfully laid out the site and incorporated its active features seamlessly to the sweeping edge of the shoreline that now embraces the recreated habitat supporting Hall’s Island. This place is now a real gem for our city and park system and a superb example of highlighting the treasure that is the Mississippi River,” said Kevin Reich, MWMO Executive Director.
The park’s first phase is now open, with a second phase—featuring a trail connection to Boom Island and a new community building—scheduled for completion by 2025.
Learn More >
Network: A River Connected at MWMO
 Netmaking with Victoria Bradford Styrbicki.
Victoria Bradford Styrbicki’s collection of hand-crafted fishing nets, photos, and video is now on display at the MWMO’s Stormwater Park and Learning Center.
The artist will be on hand to host visitors and talk about her work between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:
- September 30
- October 21
- November 4
- December 16
- January 6
Join us then or anytime between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday to tour Bradford Styrbicki’s exhibit, Network: A River Connected. Ring the doorbell for admission.
Learn More >
MWMO Grant to Fund Stormwater Plan at Ukrainian American Community Center
 The UACC parking lot is ready for stormwater improvements.
The Ukrainian American Community Center (UACC) is taking steps to protect the Mississippi River with a new initiative aimed at improving water quality.
The MWMO awarded a $20,000 Planning Grant to the UACC to develop a Stormwater Management Plan for their two-acre property, which includes a large parking lot that currently drains untreated stormwater directly into the river. This plan will assess the site and design solutions to intercept and filter runoff before it reaches the river.
The project will also explore opportunities to create wildlife and pollinator habitats, enhancing the ecological value of the site and contributing to a healthier environment for the community.
Staff Updates
Farewell to Nick Busse
The MWMO bids farewell to Nick Busse after nearly ten years of leading our organizational communications. Nick will be moving on from the MWMO to pursue new opportunities, and his departure marks the end of an era for our communications team.
Nick’s impact can be seen through countless examples. From high-quality videos and blog pieces to developing our award-winning website and capturing sought-after drone footage, his efforts have helped the MWMO connect with a broader audience.
Communicating about stormwater and pollution is difficult. Nick’s ability to navigate the space between hard science and impactful storytelling turned topics into engaging, relatable stories in a way that was easy to digest and meaningful to all.
We thank Nick for all his years of service and for building a strong foundation for sharing our work. Cheers, Nick!
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MWMO Welcomes Mirae Guenther
Our water quality monitoring team has a new member.
The MWMO recently welcomed Mirae Guenther as our new Water Resources Data Analyst. In this role, she will collect and analyze water quality data to create technical products that help support the MWMO’s current projects and future initiatives.
Guenther is passionate about water conservation and enjoys using science communication to make data meaningful to the community. She holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resources Science and Management and brings a wealth of knowledge with previous experience at the University of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Council. You can learn more about her background on our website.
Read More >
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MPCA Smart Salting Training
 The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Smart Salting Trainings offer ways winter maintenance pros can save money and time and reduce salt while maintaining safety!
Parking Lots and Sidewalks Certification Training
Audience: private winter maintenance companies and city park, hospital, and school winter maintenance professionals.
📅 October 8 @ 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
đź“Ť Mississippi Watershed Management Organization | Register Here
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Property Managers Certification Training
Audience: property managers, environmental professionals and advocates, business owners, those who hire private winter maintenance professionals, MS4 and Wastewater permit staff, public works directors, and other high-level management roles.
đź“… November 13@ 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
đź“Ť Mississippi Watershed Management Organization | Register Here
Net-making Workshops
 Join us for a net-making workshop with artist Victoria Bradford Styrbicki. Explore her exhibit Network: A River Connected and try your hand at traditional net-making. Learn the methods and materials used in commercial and recreational fishing along the Gulf Coast, and explore ways to expand on the counting, handwork, postures, rhythms, and gestures of tying knots and weaving that go into this disappearing practice.
đź“… November 2 @ 9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
đź“Ť Mississippi Watershed Management Organization | Register Here
Photo of the Month
 16th Annual Monarch Festival—Festival de la Monarcha
Mississippi River Green Team members educated the community about Monarch butterfly habitat and showed people how to make “seed bombs” out of soil and milkweed seeds to support the local Monarch population at the annual Monarch Festival at Lake Nokomis.
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