In addition to using good management practices to protect and improve water quality in your home, yard or farm, there are also opportunities for volunteers to help with District projects or events.
There are lots of ways you can help improve water quality!
Clean Water Clean-Up: Twice Annual Event
Every spring and fall we host a Clean Water Clean-Up event to rake up leaves and remove buckthorn. This prevents the leaves from being carried down the storm drains into the lakes. Leaves contain significant amounts of phosphorus which can contribute to algae growth in lakes during the summer. Buckthorn is an invasive species which often takes over wooded areas, crowding out native species and degrading wildlife habitat.
The Fall 2019 event was held Sunday, October 27 from 9:00 – 11:30 am at The Woods at the Wilds Park (3190 Wildwood Trail) in Prior Lake. Volunteers helped remove nearly all of the buckthorn at the park (44 cubic yards weighing an estimated 12 tons!) and rake half a dump truck of leaves. Light snacks are provided and volunteers were entered to win door prizes from local businesses.
In case of inclement weather, the Fall 2019 backup date is Sunday, Nov 3.
Questions? Email Kathryn at kkeller-miller@plslwd.org or call the District office at 952-447-4166.
At the Spring 2019 event at Fish Point Park, over 50 volunteers helped remove 1.8 tons of buckthorn, rake 1.6 tons of leaves and clean out the iron-enhanced sand filter! Check out our Facebook page for pictures from the event!
Don’t miss an event! Sign-up to receive an email reminder. Email kkeller-miller@plslwd.org to be added to the notification list for this free, family-friendly event.
Carp Seining Event
The District hopes to host a carp seining event later this year. We will need volunteers to help sort, weigh and measure the carp we catch. Please contact Kathryn Keller-Miller at kkeller-miller@plslwd.org or Maggie Karschnia at mkarschnia@plslwd.org or 952-447-9808 if you have questions, are interested in volunteering or want to be added to the seine notification list.
Occasional Restoration Events
The District has several shoreline and other restoration projects and occasionally needs volunteers to help out with plantings or other items. To be notified when volunteers are needed for restoration events, please email Kathryn Keller-Miller at kkeller-miller@plslwd.org to be added to our volunteer list.