SWWD Wins the 2021 MCAP Award for Climate Adaptation
The South Washington Watershed District received the 2021 Organization Award from the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnerships on January 20, 2021.
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The SWWD is a local leader in climate adaption and resiliency. SWWD is one of the only watershed districts to date to create a Climate Resiliency Plan. This plan provides direct assistance to partner cities that lack the capacity to do this work on their own. Under this plan, SWWD has completed large-scale flood mitigation and habitat restoration projects. These projects have benefited the community and engaged local municipal staff and leaders. This work has been done without political debate or resistance.
This award also recognizes the incorporation of habitat restoration and green infrastructure into the 20-year Central Draw Storage and Overflow (CDSO) project. Now known as Glacial Valley Park, this project created a safe route for stormwater runoff to overflow during 100-year storm events away from land-locked areas of Woodbury and Cottage Grove. This project was completed through the vision of the SWWD, in collaboration with Great River Greening and community volunteers. It also created a restored prairie and oak savanna, and will become home to a forthcoming trail system and outdoor gathering space.
The Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership is affiliated with the University of Minnesota Extension and the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, to preform climate research and risk-management support.
Abby Tekiela
Staff Contact
Questions? Reach out to Abby Tekiela, Water Resources Program Manager, at Abby.Tekiela@swwdmn.gov or call 651.728.6827.