In the News
Stay up to date with the latest news from WMWA and our watershed partners. Discover recent projects, community initiatives, educational programs, events, and stories that highlight how we're working together to protect and improve the lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands throughout the west metro.
Collaboration takes four Hennepin County lakes off the impaired waters list
In 2024, four lakes in Hennepin County were removed from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s impaired waters list. This is no small feat and took years of collaborative work between public and private partners including research, environmental education, public...
Read More arrow_right_alt
We’re over-salting sidewalks and pavement.
A statewide push is on to encourage residents, businesses and churches to cut back on deicing salt to limit chloride pollution in Minnesota’s waters. It’s ice season, when environmental advocates remind Minnesotans not to salt the sidewalk or driveway like a bucket of popcorn...
Read More arrow_right_alt
Remember, too much salt is harmful for MN waters
As Minnesotans prepare for winter, many will be heading to the store to grab a bag of deicing salt. Before you douse your driveways and sidewalks, take a moment to understand the lasting impacts deicing salt has on our lakes, rivers and streams and what steps we can all take to protect our water...
Read More arrow_right_altMedia Kits
Media kits include content (e.g. text or photos) that can be used for public media like website updates, newsletters, and social media posts. This content can be used in whole or in part and doesn't require that you reference the source. You can use this content as if you made it.
Chloride consultations and best winter maintenance practices.
This media kit highlights the chloride consultations that WMWA is offering and encourages residents to follow best winter maintenance practices.
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt
Blue Thumb Partnership.
Four sections:
- Overall Highlight - Planting for Pollinators
- Native Plant Sales
- Lawns to Legumes
- Plant Finder
Earth Month and Adopt-a-Drain.
This media kit highlights Earth Month and includes directions for residents to clean up streets, improve water quality, and sign up for the Adopt-a-Drain program.
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).
This media kit highlights what AIS are, encourages residents to take preventative measures, and pledge to stop the spread of invasive species through lakepledge.com.
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt
Leave it to Beavers
This media kit offers information on the water quality and additional environmental benefits of preserving and protecting terrestrial and aquatic habitats, using beavers as an example. It also includes recommendations to reduce damage related to beaver activities.
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt
Pet Waste
This media kit educates residents on pet waste pollution and encourages people to pick up pet waste. There is a newsletter and set of social media posts with a focus on summer, and another newsletter and set of social media posts with a focus on early spring.
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt
Water Conservation and Drought
This media kit helps residents conserve water during late summer and drought conditions. It encourages drought-friendly landscaping, climate-resilient gardens, and simple ways to reduce water use. An additional set of social media posts focuses on capturing rainwater, an effective way to lower water costs and reduce stormwater runoff and pollution. Use these posts during rainy weather or anytime you want to share additional water conservation tips.
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt
Chloride Pollution Reduction
This media kit includes information to help residents and facilities reduce their reliance on chlorides for winter maintenance. Residents and property owners are encouraged to adopt best management practices in the winter season and attend MPCA Smart Salting trainings. In this media kit there are two sets of articles and social media posts for TWO separate audiences (property management and residents).
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt
Fall Lawn Care
This media kit includes information to help residents improve practices on their properties to reduce leaves going into storm drains during the fall season and encourages residents to sign up for the Adopt-a-Drain program.
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt
Trash and Litter Prevention
This media kit is designed to support public education around how trash and litter impact local water quality. This kit includes a sample newsletter article, social media posts, and images to share alongside postings
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt
Otters and Clean Water: A Holiday Gift for Wildlife
This media kit highlights the role of river otters as indicators of healthy aquatic ecosystems. It connects their survival to clean water, abundant fish populations, and intact shorelines. It also provides recommendations for winter practices that protect otter habitat and water quality, with a seasonal tie-in to the holidays.
View Media Kit arrow_right_alt