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!"
We offer free workshops throughout the county on various topics including rain gardens, shoreline restoration, native prairie planting and management, and cover crops.
The vision of the Watershed Stewards Grant program is to partner with community members and local experts to improve water quality and engage citizens. Grant money is available to help fund clean water projects from the Scott Watershed Management Organization’s (WMO) Watershed Stewards Grant Program. The goal of the program is to bring community members together to work on clean water projects in their community.
Special 2020 note: The watershed Stewards minigrant program has been suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19. Funding options will be revisited in early 2021.
Chloride is a water quality pollutant of increasing concern in Scott County. In the winter, chloride in the form of rock salt or brine is used to deice sidewalks, roads, and driveways. When the snow melts in the spring, all the salt that was put down is carried into local water bodies. Salt is becoming an increasing problem as it only takes 1 teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water.
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.
Youth Education
The Scott SWCD offers free classroom visits to all schools in Scott County. Lessons can cover a variety of environmental topics including local water conservation, pollution control, soil composition, erosion and runoff, conservation strategies, and more! Lessons are available for all grade levels and will be taught by Education and Outreach Specialist, Shelby Roberts unless otherwise organized.
Contact Shelby via email or by phone at 952-492-5448 for inquiries or copies of lessons.
Outdoor Education Day
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 fifth-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.
