West Metro Water Alliance

08/06/2026

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08/05/2026

100 years since the Mississippi was declared "dead". We've been making steady progress to restore her former glory. You can help too. Adopt-a-Adopt-a-Drain today! And come visit the Adopt-a-Drain booth at the State Fair in the Eco Experience building.

100 years of restoring the Mississippi River by Margo Ashmoreposted on June 2, 2026A century ago, the Mississippi River was declared dead. A survey of the river around the Twin Cities revealed only three fish — not three fish species, but three fish, period. In the years that followed, treatment p...

06/04/2026

Weekly Shoreline Tip #1: Keep it Gradual, Soften Your Shoreline 🌊

A gradual shoreline is a healthy shoreline. The shallow, sunlit nearshore area, known as the littoral zone or the “ribbon of life”, plays a critical role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly 90% of freshwater species either live in or pass through this important shoreline habitat.

Rather than installing vertical retaining walls or impervious walkways, consider maintaining the natural slope of your shoreline by using sloped rock “riprap” to help dissipate the wave action’s energy and reduce erosion. Pairing this with deep-rooted native vegetation can help stabilize the shoreline, improve water quality, and provide valuable habitat for wildlife.

Interested in restoring a more natural shoreline? Contact your local conservation authority to discuss the potential for removing unnatural barriers and to learn more about shoreline permitting requirements.

Learn more: www.kawarthaconservation.com/shoreline

05/20/2026

Fall is one of the best times to plant for pollinators—and we’ll guide you every step of the way. 🍂🌼

Lawns to Legumes: Habitat at Home is a free, guided program that supports you through the process of creating or improving pollinator habitat, with guidance timed to the season.

You’ll start with site prep this summer, then move into plant selection, installation, and fall care. As the season winds down, we’ll cover seed collection, winter sowing, and how to support pollinators through the colder months.

Planting in fall gives native plants a head start—stronger roots, less watering, and better success next spring. Habitat at Home helps you take advantage of that window with step-by-step support along the way.

Join Lawns to Legumes: Habitat at Home at https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/habitat-at-home/



Habitat at Home is offered through Lawns to Legumes, a collaborative state-funded effort administered by Blue Thumb and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.

05/13/2026

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We hope the bee was okay. Bees are nature’s tireless couriers, buzzing from flower to flower and carrying pollen that sparks new life. Their essential work fertilizes plants, enabling them to grow seeds, produce fruit, and thrive. Our own well-being, and the health of our parks and planet, depends on their wings.

Learn more about bees and pollinators, why they matter, and how you can help at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pollinators/index.htm

04/24/2026

May in Minnesota means native plant sales! 🌼🛒

Our 2026 list of Minnesota native plant sales covers both the Twin Cities and outstate areas. Find native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees—often at great prices! Some sales require pre-orders, so now’s the perfect time to make your plan.

Visit our full spring sales list here: https://bluethumb.org/spring-native-plant-sales-in-minnesota/

Then, use Blue Thumb resources to plan your project for clean water and pollinators! 💧🐝

04/20/2026

04/20/2026

Call for Artists: Eco-Art Extravaganza 🌿🎨

Blue Thumb is hosting our first-ever Eco-Art Extravaganza! 💧🌸 This free, community-centered event will bring together art, native plants, and clean water education in a vibrant, creative space. We’re seeking local artists who connect their work to nature, ecology, or sustainability.

Event details:

📍 The Art Shelf , Minneapolis
📅 August 1, 2026 | 11am–4pm
💵 $200 stipend for all selected artists

🌱 You’ll be part of an inspiring day featuring hands-on art-making & demos, native plant sales, pollinator & clean water education, and community connection through creativity. We are especially committed to uplifting Indigenous, Black, and artists of color, and encourage artists of all backgrounds and experience levels to apply.

📝 Apply by May 15, 2026: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwCK_pcyKiOQQlnVNUYxmUV8n9ZoIlv9FhoPTI9YSlgmF1iQ/viewform



Funding support for the Eco-Art Extravaganza is provided by the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. 💚