Regional Stormwater Protection Team

🌿🪻 This year, Lawns to Legumes does not have funding to do a fall round of grants. They are trying out a free educational program folks can sign up for called Lawns to Legumes: Habitat at Home (https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/habitat-at-home/) 🙌😁

🌞 Learn more about the Habitat to Home below!

You’re not doing this alone. 🌿

Lawns to Legumes: Habitat at Home is a free, guided program from Blue Thumb that connects you with the tools, knowledge, and community support you need to create pollinator habitat at home.

Throughout the program, you’ll tap into a network of partners, educators, and organizations from across Minnesota. We’ll share webinars on topics like native plants and pollinator habitat, promote hands-on workshops and events, and connect you with trusted guides, tools, and local resources.

You’ll also be able to learn alongside other participants—sharing questions, progress, and inspiration as you go.

It’s everything you need to grow your knowledge—and your habitat.

Sign up to get connected: 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.

📷 Photo credit: Sarah Nagel

🌞🪻🌿Awesome Upcoming Event: Carlton SWCD Pollinator Powerhouse! 🌿🪻🌞

🟢 WHEN: Friday, June 26 from 11 AM - 5 PM
🟢 LOCATION: Carlton County Transportation Building, 1630 County Rd 61, Carlton, MN 55718
🟢 WHAT: Plan to pick up your pre-ordered native plant and seed orders and hang out with us as we celebrate pollinators! 🙌 Even if you didn't pre-order, there will be opportunities to buy native plants in person. 👍

🤷‍♀️ Did you know?! Native plants have longer roots than turf grass (typically Kentucky Bluegrass). 💧 😱 These long roots direct stormwater into the soil, which reduces stormwater runoff from getting into our streams and Lake Superior! 🤩🌧️

➡️ Learn more about the event: https://carltonswcd.org/native-plant-sale

🪴 7th Annual Carlton SWCD Native Plant and Seed Sale: https://www.shoreviewnatives.com/carltonswcd

🎉⭐️ Save the Date! ⭐️ 🎉

⛈️ WI Stormwater Week: Sept. 19 - 27 ⛈️

➡️ Stay tuned for FREE educational webinars & a statewide Call to Action for WI residents!

🌊 More details soon at https://www.wistormwater.com/

Are you a City of Superior resident and know of a frozen storm drain or culvert?! 🤔 Check out the info below! 👍

Hey! 💨It's the No P**p Fairy here reminding you to use SAND or CHICKEN GRIT 🐔on your sidewalks, stairs, and driveways in these icy conditions! 🥶

⭐️ SAND & CHICKEN GRIT have different properties than salt and help with TRACTION on the ice that accumulates over night. Sand and chicken grit will prevent SLIPS and Falls!! 🙌👍😍

And... Remember THERE IS NO P**P FAIRY! 💩🧚‍♂️

💩 Learn a poop-ton more by visiting https://www.poopfairy.university/learn/tackle-nacl

**pFairy

Did you know that the Regional Stormwater Protection Team (RSPT) has their own radio show called The Grate Drain on The North 1033 FM?! 😱🌧️

During each interview, the co-hosts Ryan, RSPT Co-Chair, and Megan, RSPT Media Team Lead, interview regional water quality professionals about who they are, how they got involved with stormwater, and current projects. 🙌 🤩

⭐️ The first interview was with Carol Andrews, St. Louis County Public Works Environmental Engineer. She was a fantastic interviewee! ⭐️

➡️ Listen to Part 1 of the first interview here: https://www.thenorth1033.org/environment-outdoors/2026-01-26/the-grate-drain-part-1?_amp=true

The Grate Drain is edited and produced by Luke Moravec.

The Grate Drain: Part 1 Megan Högfeldt and Ryan Granlund lead a discussion with Carol Andrews about storm water

Wow! So much snow! 🌬️🌨️❄️☃️ Be safe out there!

🧡 Friendly Reminder: Moving slowly while driving and walking can help prevent car accidents and slips! 👍 Watch out for that snow sauce!

⭐ Keep space between you and the cars around you!
🟢 Good: 🚗 🚕 🛻 🚛 🚌 🚕
🔴 Bad: 🚗🚕 🛻 🚛🚌

👀In our region, there are two main sources from which sodium chloride (road salt) gets into our water sources: our homes and roads.

To protect our freshwater lakes, rivers & streams from salt pollution, :
❄️ Shovel before snow has the chance to turn to ice.
❄️Scatter smart, aim for about three inches between salt grains.
❄️Switch to a different de-icer, when the temperature is too cold for salt to work.
❄️Sweep up and save any extra salt or sand to be used again.

➡ For more information about smart salting practices, visit https://www.wisaltwise.com/Take-Action/Smart-Salting or https://www.poopfairy.university/learn/tackle-nacl

Still need a Valentine?! Look no further! 😍

Ask Lake Superior to be your Valentine this year, and show your love for our beautiful lake by remembering all the ways you can keep stormwater pollution from reaching your local streams, and ultimately Lake Superior. 🌊🙌

💕 Keep your trash bins upright with the lids closed. Especially when snow or rain is in the forecast, secure your bins so they don’t spill garbage into the street. If it’s on the street, it’s in our streams.

💕 Pick up after your pet! Pet waste is full of bacteria and excess nutrients that we don’t want in our drinking water. There is NO P**p Fairy!

💕 Salt Smart! Salt from roads and sidewalks is toxic to fish and other aquatic life. In some places, chloride from deicing salt & water softeners has greatly impaired the water and ecosystems. Keep Lake Superior Salt-Free!

➡ These are just a few ways that you can show your love for Lake Superior and ensure that our waterways stay clean and healthy.

💩 Learn a poop-ton more by visitinghttps://www.poopfairy.university/