VLAWMO's annual watershed awards showcase collaboration in the pursuit of protecting and improving local water resources.

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Watershed Steward Award

Eligibility. The Watershed Steward Award is for volunteers, businesses, neighborhood or lake associations, or community groups who have worked independently or with VLAWMO staff to improve water resources or community understanding of water issues within the Vadnais Lake Area watershed. This award can include stewardship through VLAWMO's grant programs, residential or neighborhood partnerships, volunteering, or community-oriented education efforts.

Selection process. Nominations are reviewed and voted on by the VLAWMO Technical Commission (TEC) and presented to the VLAWMO Board of Directors. VLAWMO will forego granting the award if no nominations are received by the nomination deadline, or if nominations received don't adequately meet the criteria outlined below.

Award criteria. Nominees must be a resident, business, staff member or community group living or working in the VLAWMO watershed. See detailed award criteria in the drop-down menu below.

Completing a nomination. To submit your nomination, please fill out the online form below. Alternatively, you may send completed nomination forms via email or hardcopy to the VLAWMO office within the Vadnais Heights City Hall.

Self nominations are acceptable. Nominations may be made anonymously.

Watershed Steward Award online form

Watershed Steward Award nomination form (for email or hardcopy)

Watershed Steward Award Criteria

Nominations under this category must be a resident, business, staff member or community group living or working in the VLAWMO watershed.

Nominations should relate to one or more of the following criteria:

Neighborhood or community efforts associated with watershed improvement, place-based natural resource awareness, or water conservation practices.
Coordination of education and outreach that promotes awareness and protection of local water resources.
A VLAWMO grant recipient who has also demonstrated initiative in education or an installation.
Outstanding and ongoing volunteer efforts with VLAWMO events, watershed education, or citizen science activities.
Other topics or efforts reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the VLAWMO Technical Commission (TEC).
Multi-year efforts should also have a connection to a project or program within the year of nominating.