Minnehaha Creek Seeks Nominations for ‘Watershed Heroes’

Editor’s Note: The following announcement comes from the .

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is accepting nominations for its 2012 Watershed Heroes Awards. The awards honor individuals and organizations for their work on behalf of providing and protecting clean water in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. This year’s Watershed Heroes Awards ceremony is planned for Thursday, October 18th at the Bayview Event Center in Excelsior.

“The Watershed Heroes Awards demonstrate that individuals and organizations alike can have a positive impact on the environment,” said MCWD Administrator Eric Evenson. “It’s important to recognize these efforts and inspire others to improve and protect water quality.”

The 2011 Watershed Heroes were a diverse group of business, government and citizen partners in clean water, including Solution Blue, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Minnesota Waters, the youth of the Pierson Lake Association (APPLE), Lake Action Alliance, and Bob and Jan Halverson.

To nominate a Watershed Hero, please include the name of the nominee, the award category and a brief (less than 200 words) description of the nominee’s contribution or accomplishment in one of the following categories:

• Excellence in Development Award: Given to a development that successfully protects water quality through the use of Low Impact Development, innovative stormwater management, and natural resource conservation techniques in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed

• Innovation in Government Award: Given to a government body or individual that has implemented innovative policies, programs, or projects to protect and improve quality of water, quality of life in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed

• Outstanding Partner Award: Given to an individual or group who has effectively leveraged their assets in partnership with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to achieve exceptional results in natural resource management

• Youth Naturalist Award: Given to a young person or group of young people who have demonstrated excellent commitment to the environment 

• Citizen Engagement Award: Given to an individual or organization that effectively engaged citizen participation and initiative in efforts to improve natural resources in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District                                              

• Outstanding Contribution Award: Given to an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution that resulted in the protection or improvement of natural resources in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed

• Lifetime Stewardship Award: Given to an individual who has, during his or her lifetime, played a significant and lasting role in watershed management and demonstrated leadership in natural resources stewardship

Nominations can be submitted online at http://www.minnehahacreek.org/nominate-watershed-hero. They also can be sent to Telly Mamayek, MCWD Communications Director, at tmamayek@minnehahacreek.org.

Nominations are due by Monday, August 6th.