Citizen Advisory Committee

CAC Activities and Accomplishments

We value the voices of our residents. The Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)  strengthens our connections with the community through member representation from cities, businesses, organizations, and volunteer groups throughout the District, all of whom are dedicated to preserving and improving water resources. Citizen advisors assist the Board of Managers by providing input on District operations and planning, furthering public education and participation, and supporting event planning and implementation, among other activities.

Create and deliver community outreach:

  • Developed a Phalen Chain of Lakes Water Trail Map outlining routes, restorations, and interesting sites for navigating the Chain by non-motorized boat, winter travel, or hike.
  • Acted as a liaison between the Watershed and CAC member’s communities within the District
  • Developed educational materials and displays, including salt use/pollution, pet waste, goldfish as an invasive species, etc.
  • Supported Watershed District events, including staffing booths at WaterFest and Phalen Freeze Fest.
  • Solicited and evaluated nominations for the Annual Watershed Excellence Awards. Awards recognize community members for making a positive difference in water quality in the District.

Provide volunteer support for district projects:

  • Cleaned out, weeded, and helped maintain rain gardens for residents who were unable to complete the physical work.
  • Assisted staff in installing native plants at various restorations throughout the Watershed District, including Snail Lake Regional Park, Keller Park, and Lake Phalen Park.

Provide feedback:

  • Provided input to staff on the District’s Management Plan as well as other District initiatives.
  • Evaluated ideas for District events and educational initiatives.
  • Gave input on plans and projects at the request of community members.

Gain deeper understanding:

  • Increased members’ knowledge of water quality topics and watershed management through staff presentations and field visits, including capital budget, watershed projects, invasive species identification and management, and the Stewardship Grant program.

CAC In Action

CAC and LEAP team members assisting with planting at the Snail Regional Park wetland planting

Group photo of CAC and LEAP Team members who planted along Keller Creek

CAC and LEAP Team members planting along Keller Creek

The CAC volunteer team at a raingarden cleanup near Casey Lake

Informing the public about invasive species at WaterFest

CAC members in waders and along the shoreline of Keller Creek planting native plants

CAC and LEAP Team members planting along Keller Creek

CAC member cleaning up a rain garden, holding a broken shovel

CAC member works so hard he breaks a shovel!

CAC member standing in a rain garden they were weeding.

CAC member cleaning up a residential rain garden for a homeowner in need.

CAC members cleaning up a residential rain garden for a homeowner in need.

A group of 8 people stand near PCU Pond in North St. Paul with a pile of collected garbage.

CAC members, RWMWD staff, and Master Recyclers clean up many bags of trash from a North St. Paul pond

Three people along Lake Owasso shoreline planting aquatic/emergent plants

CAC and LEAP team members plant at Lake Owasso

Two people standing along the shoreline of Lake Owasso planting native plants

CAC and LEAP team members plant at Lake Owasso

Five people along Lake Owasso showing their stack of empty buckets after planting.

CAC and LEAP team members plant at Lake Owasso

CAC member holding a large collection of burdock seed.

CAC member being very careful to not spread more weeds during a rain garden cleanup in Little Canada

CAC member kneels in a rain garden to pull weeds

CAC member digging in to clean up an overgrown rain garden in Little Canada

CAC member holds up a handful of giant weeds.

CAC member victoriously pulling weeds out of an overgrown rain garden in Little Canada

CAC members stand by a large pile of garbage bags after a litter cleanup

Earth Day Cleanup was a success!

Five CAC members stand by a large pile of garbage bags after a litter cleanup

CAC members pose by the trash they cleaned up from around Ames Lake on Earth Day

Two CAC members carry a large piece of debris at a litter cleanup

The Earth Day cleanup included some very large items!

Three CAC members picking up garbage at Ames Lake

Earth Day cleanup around Ames Lake

An adult helps a child plant along the shoreline of a wetland.

CAC members (and a young assistant) plant at Snail Lake Wetland A in Shoreview.

Want to be a member of the CAC?

Please, reach out to Carrie Magnuson to learn more about the CAC and how you can contribute!

Carrie Magnuson headshot

Carrie Magnuson

She/her Communications Specialist
651-792-7971