Volunteer
Fostering stewardship and growing capacity through fun, impactful volunteer opportunities.
The RPBCWD volunteer program supports the watershed district’s mission to protect, manage, and restore waters resources by engaging community members in stewardship opportunities. The district strives to create meaningful experiences for volunteers, while growing its own capacity to protect clean water.
Looking to organize a community clean-up event? Borrow one of our clean up kits! Live on a lakefront property with a dock? Help us monitor for aquatic invasive species. Perhaps you'd like to be a voice for clean water by applying to join our Citizen Advisory Committee, or become an active volunteer by becoming a Minnesota Water Steward. Maybe you're a college student looking for hands-on experience, or a community member looking to get your hands dirty at a native planting event. However you'd like to get involved, we're here to help. Don't see an opportunity that's right for you? Fill out the volunteer application at the bottom of this page, and we'll try to connect you with an opportunity that fits your talents and interests.
Clean water starts with you!
You don't have to leave your yard to be able to have an impact on clean water. Here are five ways to get involved at home.
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Mow high. The taller you keep your grass, the deeper their roots grow, allowing them to better take up water and nutrients. This helps reduce the amount of water that flows over your yard and into a nearby stormdrain. Learn more about water-saving lawn care.
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Adopt a Drain. Storm drains flow directly into our lakes and creeks, carrying leaves, trash and other debris and nutrients that can, in abundance, harm our waters. Help keep our waters clean by locating a storm drain near your home and pledging to keep it clean. Learn more at adopt-a-drain.org.
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Skip the salt. Did you know that salt is ineffective when pavement temps drop below 15°F? You can reduce the need for salt AND help protect our freshwater resources by shoveling immediately after a snowfall to prevent ice from forming. If you still need a little traction, try using a bit of sand. Learn more about the negative impacts of salt.
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Plant a tree. Trees on your property provides a full range of ecosystem services, and are an excellent way to minimize stormwater runoff. The roots of a tree not only take in water but also create healthy soil conditions which promote better infiltration. Learn more and reserve a free tree.
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Swap out your lawn. Fescue grasses require less water and have longer roots than turf grass, helping to draw water back into the ground and minimizing runoff. They're also drought tolerant and require less mowing. Learn more about turf alternatives.
Find a Volunteer Activity
There are so many ways to have a positive impact on our waters, and we can’t do it all alone. Browse below to find a volunteer opportunity that's right for you.
Clean Up for Clean Water
Borrow our volunteer clean-up kits and bring your business, group or organization out to help keep our lakes and creeks clean.
Clean upCitizen Advisory Committee
Are you passionate about clean water? Would you like to join an active community of volunteers and environmental stewards? Become a volunteer on the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and make a difference through sharing your community insights and ideas.
Join the CACPlant a Tree
Every fall we give away tree and shrub saplings that have been growing in our gravel beds. Planting trees on your property provides a full range of ecosystem services, and are an excellent way to minimize stormwater runoff.
Plant a TreeAdopt a Dock
Adopt a Dock is a citizen science initiative. Lakeshore residents to monitor for aquatic invasive species.
Adopt a DockAttend a Planting
The District occasionally hosts community planting events to restore native habitat along shorelines, wetlands, forests and prairies. Keep an eye on our Volunteer Calendar to learn about upcoming plantings!
Find an EventAdopt a Drain
Volunteer fifteen minutes, twice a month, for cleaner waterways and healthier communities. Keep a nearby storm drain clear of leaves, trash, and other debris that can pollute Minnesota's waters.
Learn about the programMinnesota Water Stewards
A partnership with the Freshwater Society, MWS trains community volunteers to prevent stormwater pollution through projects and education.
Minnesota Water StewardsService Learning
Service learners are students who gain first-hand experience at the district through volunteering.
Volunteer nowGauge your Rain
CoCoRaHS is a community-based network of volunteers working together to measure and map precipitation. Volunteers take measurements of precipitation each time it rains, hails or snows. These precipitation reports are then recorded online and used for water resource analysis. CoCoRaHS-approved rain gauges are available for free to RPBCWD residents. Contact Eleanor at emahon@rpbcwd.org/
Learn about CoCoRaHSUpcoming volunteer opportunities
volunteer with us
Fill out our volunteer application, and we'll try to connect you with an opportunity that fits your talents and interests.
Volunteer applicationSign up for our volunteer newsletter
Other Organizations
Volunteer opportunities abound. Below are other organizations nearby that often host volunteers.
Hennepin & Dakota Counties
Wetland Health Evaluation Program
Metropolitan Council
Citizen Assisted Monitoring Program
Non-profit
Great River Greening
Sci Starter
Search for citizen science opportunities