Above: Colors are beginning to change along East Vadnais Lake. 

From swirling leaves to jam-packed calendars, fall can feel like a whirlwind. Where does being a good neighbor fit in? Good news: even small steps help protect lakes, streams, and wetlands as we head into the cooler months. Check out the tips below and spread the word in your neighborhood!

Don’t get lost in the leaves. To the best of your ability, keep sidewalks, streets, and storm drains clear of leaves and grass clippings. Leaves and yard waste can clog waterways, pollute water, fuel algae growth, and even cause flooding. Storm drains send anything that falls into them straight to local waters, so let’s keep them clear!  

Note that under Minnesota law, dumping of any kind into wetlands, waterways, and slopes that drain to waters is illegal.

So, what can you do with all those leaves?

• For maximum clean water benefits, focus on clearing sidewalks, streets, and storm drains.
• Consider leaving leaves in garden beds or under trees to provide a haven for pollinators.
• You can bag leaves to bring to yard waste disposal, mulch them into the yard for natural fertilizer, or compost them at home.

To make an even bigger impact, consider joining a cleanup event or signing up to adopt a storm drain! Learn more at adopt-a-drain.org

Pick up after your pet. While it may seem harmless, pet waste has concentrated nutrients and bacteria that pollute local waters and can threaten human health. The next time you take your furry friend for a walk, remember to clean up after them.

Start thinking about spring. As you bask in the fall chill, jot down any warm weather garden dreams that come to mind. Are you curious about native plants? Eager to ditch the lawnmower? Looking to help pollinators? VLAWMO offers grant programs to support projects that benefit water quality. You could consider adding native plants to your outdoor space, opting for alternative turfs, installing a rain garden or rain barrel, or trying a pollinator planting. Learn more at vlawmo.org/grants.

Please note: Only residents of the VLAWMO watershed are eligible to apply for grant reimbursement. The first step in the application process is scheduling a site visit with staff. VLAWMO’s site visit season has drawn to a close for 2025, but check back in spring of 2026!

Join the Watershed Action Volunteers (WAV), a group of community members with a passion for making a difference. This fall, we have two opportunities to get involved: our planning meeting on October 28^th and our Lake Cleanup on November 8^th.

Stay curious, connect with others, and have fun! Water stewardship is about little choices that add up, but it’s also about the long game and remembering that clean water takes teamwork. VLAWMO is partnering with the City of Vadnais Heights to host an Autumn Water Social at Big Wood Brewery from 4-8 pm on October 23^rd. Join this open-house style event to celebrate local waters with educational resources, games and crafts, and fall fun. We’ll gather with community members, try out the brewery’s fall menu (including non-alcoholic beverages and bites to eat), and learn how each of us can protect local waters. Speaking of teamwork, we’ll be joined by partners from Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, Blue Thumb, Get the Lead Out MN, the Vadnais Heights Green Team, and Adopt a Drain.

Happy fall from VLAWMO!