The Citizens Advisory Committee of the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District announced the winners of their first annual Water quality Improvement Award; the award was created to recognize residents living within the District who completed a project on their property designed to protect water quality.

Jodi See and Elizabeth Shramm, co-chairs of the contest, both residents of Prior Lake, stated, “We have awarded a $100 prize to four families who installed best management practices with a significant investment of time, money and hard work. We hope their projects will inspire others to consider what they can do themselves to protect the water resources we all treasure. These families are true stewards in our area as leaders of our effort to help educate our community that everyone, whether you live on the lake or not, makes a difference in the water quality of our lakes and rivers. Every drop counts!”

2016 Award winners included:

The Water Quality Improvement Award was awarded to four families, each of whom installed best management practices. The 2016 Award winners were: Pete and Elizabeth Guidarelli; John and Rondi Phillips; Gene and Nicole Martens; and Linda Wiecher. 

Pete and Elizabeth Guidarelli removed the grass in their front yard and replaced it with a rain garden and a rain garden. The Guidarellis directed their downspouts to flow into the rain garden. They now use much less water and no chemicals but have a beautifully landscaped yard.

John and Rondi Phillips planted several degraded areas in their yard with native plants, restoring a native prairie while providing water quality benefits and habitat for their local bee hives.

Gene and Nicole Martens installed a rain garden along with several rain barrels at their new home. They also involved their children to engage them and teach them how to be good stewards of water quality.

Linda Wiecher installed five rain gardens in her yard to improve drainage as well as water quality. She also planted native plants along her shoreline to create a natural buffer which filters pollutants before they reach the lake and protects the shoreline from erosion. Furthermore, Linda’s rain barrels capture rainwater which be reused later to water her plants.

The Citizens Advisory Committee was awarded funding for this year’s award from the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District and the committee is already planning to continue this award to increase awareness for all members of community and to emphasize the impact each person has on water quality. Members of the committee and staff of the watershed worked in conjunction with the Board of Managers to implement this well-deserved award for this year’s recipients.