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NEWSLETTER / FEBRUARY 2025
Big Moves for Green Infrastructure
 MWMO is driving forward major projects that improve water quality, restore habitats, and transform public spaces. Here’s what’s happening now:
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Northrup King Campus: Greener Spaces for the Arts
Renovations are officially underway at this historic arts hub! MWMO is funding a “stormwater street,” prairie habitat, and a mix of underground and above-ground green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to improve water management while creating new educational and outreach opportunities.
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Opportunity Crossing: Smart Water Use in Affordable Housing
Construction is in motion at 3030 Nicollet Avenue, where MWMO is helping Project for Pride in Living (PPL) install a rainwater harvesting system, infiltration tank, and other GSI features to support sustainable water use in this multi-use development.
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Ole Olson Park: Restoring the Riverfront
Work is ramping up at Orvin “Ole” Olson Park, where MWMO is funding shoreline restoration, expanding native prairie habitat, and enhancing public access to the Mississippi River. These enhancements complement the construction of a long-awaited bike and pedestrian trail connection.
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One Southside: Midtown-Phillips Gets a Stormwater Upgrade
Transformation is happening at 1010 Lake Street, where Southside Community Health Services is rolling out innovative, highly visible stormwater solutions. These new features will not only improve water quality and habitat but also promote community health.
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Upper Harbor Terminal: Massive Redevelopment, Major Green Investments
Progress continues at Upper Harbor, with MWMO spearheading shoreline restoration, habitat improvements, and a large-scale stormwater treatment and reuse system. Stay tuned for updates as this massive project moves forward!
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Green Central: Safer Streets, Cleaner Water
A pedestrian safety project in the South Side Green Zone is taking shape, integrating infiltration basins to capture and filter stormwater runoff from streets, sidewalks, and trails.
 Exciting new MWMO-supported projects are set to begin construction soon, bringing sustainable water management and habitat improvements to local parks and communities.
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Sylvan Hills Park: Stormwater & Play in Fridley
Get ready for a park transformation! This major upgrade will feature native pollinator plantings throughout, rain gardens to soak up stormwater from the upstream neighborhood, and bioswales to direct excess water to a scenic aspen grove with an underground infiltration basin to help manage water naturally.
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Bottineau Field Park: A Neighborhood Park with Eco-Friendly Features
Improvements at this Northeast Minneapolis park will include a new wading pool, splash pad, and play areas. MWMO is backing the installation of a tree trench, infiltration basins, and pollinator-friendly native plantings to enhance green space and stormwater management.
Stay tuned for more updates as these projects take shape!
 MWMO’s latest exhibit, Filter Effect by Brighton McCormick, is now open at the Stormwater Park and Learning Center! Through sculptural works that capture fossilized objects and natural impressions, artist Brighton McCormick explores the hidden systems that shape our perception—from algorithmic news feeds to environmental changes. The exhibit challenges visitors to consider how we sift, sort, and filter information in both the natural and digital worlds.
📅 Exhibit Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
📍 Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
Join public workshops in the Fire Press Library to explore printmaking and artistic processes related to the exhibit:
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Cold Press Workshop – March 22, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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Hot Press Workshop – May 10, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Stay tuned for registration details.
 Do you know a Minneapolis youth who would thrive in a paid summer job working outdoors, gaining hands-on experience in environmental conservation? The Mississippi River Green Team and Green Infrastructure Inspection Team (GrIIT) are now accepting applications for Summer 2025!
These programs provide valuable job training in habitat restoration, water pollution prevention, and green stormwater infrastructure—helping to build the next generation of environmental leaders. A partnership between the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), these initiatives offer young people the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while making a positive impact on their community.
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Mississippi River Green Team (Ages 14–16) – A two-year summer employment program that introduces youth to conservation work, including invasive species removal, rain garden construction, tree planting, and more.
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Green Infrastructure Inspection Team (GrIIT) (Ages 16–18) – Designed for youth who have completed two years of the Green Team or a similar program, GrIIT provides advanced training in green stormwater infrastructure maintenance, ecological restoration, and professional tool use.
Summer positions are 32–35 hours per week (mid-June – late August), with monthly workdays during the school year.
Spots are limited, and applications are open until filled—encourage a young person in your life to apply today!
📩 Questions? Contact Mary Yang at myang@mwmo.org or 612-746-4975.
Last Chance to Apply: Technical Communications Internship
📅 Application Deadline: Sunday, March 2, 2025
📍 MWMO Stormwater Park and Learning Center, Minneapolis, MN
Looking to gain hands-on experience in technical writing and document design? MWMO is hiring a Technical Communications Intern for summer 2025! This internship offers the opportunity to work closely with MWMO staff, helping to create, refine, and improve essential organizational communications. Ideal for students or recent grads looking to build their skills in clear, effective communication.
⏳ Deadline is this Sunday
Art and Science on the River: Buckthorn
 📅 Saturday, March 8 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 MWMO Stormwater Park and Learning Center
Gather around a fire and learn how to turn invasive buckthorn into handmade charcoal! Sip warm beverages while ecologist Alex Roth discusses buckthorn’s impact on the Mississippi River, then create charcoal drawings with guidance from artist Kimberly Boustead.
Take home your own charcoal and artwork!
This event is free, but registration is required.
Filter Effect: Cold Press Workshop
 📅 Saturday, March 22 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 MWMO Stormwater Park and Learning Center
Join us for a hands-on introduction to the cool side of the Fire Press Library process. The Cold Press Workshop uses ink stamps to produce beautiful hand-printed postcards, art prints, and seed packets. We’ll supply native plant seeds free of charge, enabling you to pair your artwork with tangible reminders of local biodiversity. Learn traditional stamping techniques, explore the FPL’s collections, and connect with other nature enthusiasts.
This event is free, but registration is required.
 MPCA Turfgrass Maintenance Certification Training
📅 Thursday, April 3 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 MWMO Stormwater Park and Learning Center
This training focuses on best management practices for lawn/turf maintenance that can save money while protecting lakes and streams. Turf care professionals will learn essential skills like soil testing, fertilizer application, pesticide use, irrigation efficiency, and proper mowing techniques and will have the opportunity to take the certification test upon completion of the course.
Photo of the Month
 Did You Know? The Mississippi River doesn’t just freeze and thaw like a quiet little lake—it’s constantly moving, which means its ice is, too! In Minneapolis, the river typically ices over in late November and starts breaking up by mid to late March. But history has some wild outliers—the earliest recorded breakup at St. Anthony Falls was February 2, 1991, and the latest was April 20, 1856. As winters get warmer and weather patterns become more unpredictable, the timing of ice formation and breakup is shifting, giving us a real-time glimpse at how climate change is reshaping our seasons.
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