Scott Clean Water Education Program

SCOTT CLEAN WATER EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Scott Clean Water Education Program (SCWEP) is a partnership of local government organizations in Scott County that strives to educate and inform residents about ways to improve the quality of our lakes and rivers. Our goal is to make our county’s natural resources healthier by keeping rain water close to where it falls. Our message is simple and straight-forward, "Clean Water Starts with Me!"

Workshops

The Scott SWCD offers free educational workshops on various conservation topics including rain gardens, shoreline restoration, native prairie planting and management, and cover crops.

In-person workshops take place at the Spring Lake Township hall, and online webinars take place on the Zoom platform. Subscribe to the Scott SWCD's newsletter to be notified of upcoming workshops.

Conservation in the Classroom

The Scott SWCD offers free classroom visits to all schools in Scott County. Lessons cover a variety of environmental topics and are available for for grades 5-8. Lessons will be taught by Education and Outreach Specialist, Shelby Roberts unless otherwise organized.

Click for more Conservation in the Classroom details.

Contact Shelby via email or by phone at 952-492-5448 for inquiries or copies of lessons.

Chloride Pollution

Chloride is a water quality pollutant of increasing concern in Scott County. Chloride from rock salt or brine is used to deice sidewalks, roads, and driveways. When snow melts in the spring, all the salt that was put down is carried into local water bodies.

It only takes 1 teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water.

Click here to learn more about chloride pollution!

Watershed Stewards Grant Program

The Watershed Stewards Grant program partners with community members and local experts to improve water quality and engage citizens. Grant money from the Scott Watershed Management Organization (WMO) is available to help fund clean water projects. The goal of the program is to bring community members together to work on clean water projects in their community.

Special note: The watershed Stewards minigrant program was suspended in 2020 due to funding restrictions. Funding options will be revisited in early 2022.

Outdoor Education Days

In September the Scott SWCD hosts Outdoor Education Day with the help of SCWEP’s partner organizations. The event, held Cedar Lake Farm Park, is for 5th grade students across Scott County. While attending Outdoor Education Day students walk through the park stopping to learn at six different stations including water, wildlife, forestry, pond, plants, and soils. In 2019, the 34th year of the event, over 1000 students from 13 Scott County schools attended.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like your classroom to be involved, let us know.

Conservation Leaders

Every year a Conservation Leader is named in Scott County for their outstanding efforts in implementing conservation practices and improving natural resources. The Conservation Leader could be an individual, community group, school, business, or government entity. The efforts of these Conservation Leaders results in cleaner water, healthier soil, and improved wildlife habitat.