Ramsey County Master Gardeners (RCMGs) received the Capitol Region Watershed District’s (CRWD) 2023 Watershed Partner Award at its annual awards ceremony on Feb. 1, 2024. This award is given to an individual or organization that demonstrates a commitment to CRWD’s mission of innovative stormwater management solutions.
Over the years, RCMG has partnered with CRWD on various educational programs. Minnesota Water Stewards have volunteered alongside RCMGs at Ask a Master Gardener tables at the St. Paul Farmers Market, as well as at occasional community festivals. Our collaboration has resulted in several Water Stewards joining the Master Gardener program and some RCMGs becoming certified Water Stewards.
RCMG’s priorities, particularly those promoting clean water and pollinator health, make collaboration with CRWD a natural fit. Water-wise gardening and landscaping practices help conserve water and minimize polluted runoff, promoting clean rivers and lakes and safe drinking water for current and future generations. In addition, native plantings and rain gardens not only filter water, but they also help native bees and other pollinators thrive.
In 2018, CRWD staff and RCMGs began a series of meetings to explore ways to expand and deepen our collaboration. Partnering with CRWD’s Rain Garden project rose to the top. Together, RCMGs and Water Stewards received training about CRWD’s rain garden inspection process and the criteria for a functional and thriving rain garden. Water Stewards and RCMGs then paired up to inspect and report back about the health of rain gardens throughout CRWD’s boundaries. During the inspections, the teams offered advice to residents about proper drainage and plant and weed identification. Sometimes the team pulled out weeds, so residents could see what plants were still growing in their rain garden.
CRWD also hosted a native plant and weed identification workshop, presented by two RCMGs, for both Master Gardeners and Water Stewards. More such workshops are planned for the future.
While many people maintain beautiful, fully functional rain gardens, others could use more advice or help – jobs, families, and health concerns can leave little time to maintain a rain garden. Sometimes, new homeowners don’t know what that “ditch garden” is. Beginning in 2024, RCMGs will be offering more follow-up hands-on gardening help to people whose rain gardens are struggling. Stay tuned – CRWD and RCMGs have other ideas in mind to deepen our partnership!
Carol Mollner, RCMG project co-lead with Katherine Tane, has worked on many projects with CRWD. “It’s been a pleasure working with CRWD and the Water Stewards,” says Carol. “We share priorities for clean water and pollinator health, as well as our interest in community engagement and in making all neighborhoods great places to live. Throughout our inspections together, we’re learning from each other and building greater expertise in helping our communities with rain gardens. I look forward to continuing and deepening our relationship.”
“This partnership between CRWD and RCMGs has sparked new collaborations and vibrant exchanges of expertise. It’s an inspiring combination of gardening knowledge and stormwater management,” says Lindsay Schwantes, Community Engagement Program Manager at CRWD. “We are especially grateful to all the RCMG volunteers who participated in rain garden inspections and encouraged the community to install and maintain rain gardens in their boulevards or yards. We can’t wait to see what the upcoming years will bring.”
CRWD’s Watershed Citizen Award Presented to Melvin Giles
Melvin Giles, co-facilitator of the Urban Farm and Garden Alliance, received the Watershed Citizen Award for his commitment to citizen engagement, project initiation, and exceptional leadership that supports CRWD’s mission. Melvin supports the RCMG Volunteer Program through his work with the Children’s Peace Garden, Urban Farm and Garden Alliance, Rondo Neighborhood, and community initiatives. Melvin also works with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Ramsey County and statewide.
"Melvin is always connecting and weaving ideas, resources, and people together," says Megan Phinney, RCMG Project Coordinator for Aurora/St. Anthony Children's Peace Garden. "Master Gardeners, or Garden Educators as he likes to call them, are always on his list of resources when he is working in the community and on projects near and far."
