1000 Friends of Minnesota
www.1000fom.org
(651) 312-1000 / (218) 824-5095
Dedicated to addressing the connections among development patterns, the health of our communities, and the environment. Promotes development that creates healthy communities while conserving natural areas, family farms, woodlands and water.

Association of Minnesota Counties
www.mncounties.org
(651) 224-3344
Unless a lake or river abuts federal or tribal lands, virtually all land-use choices are determined by a county’s or municipality’s local comprehensive land-use plan and associated ordinances. The association’s website contains a list of county websites; many of which have information on city and/or county planning, zoning, and the associated ordinances.

Blue Thumb: Planting for Clean Water
http://www.bluethumb.org
The Blue Thumb program will help you create plantings and gardens that look beautiful and work to keep water clean.

City of Saint Cloud
http://ci.stcloud.mn.us/web/departments/Utilities/swGeneral.htm
(320)255-7225
Dedicated to protecting local water resources while efficiently providing excellent customer service.

Clean Water MN
http://cleanwatermn.org
The mission of Metro WaterShed Partners (Clean Water MN) is to promote a public understanding that inspires people to act to protect water quality in their watershed. Partners cooperates through educational projects, networking and sharing resources.

Ducks Unlimited
www.ducks.org
(952) 820-8174
Conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These  habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. Their Living Lakes initiative works to enhance, restore, and protect shallow lakes, creating key stepping stones for migrating waterfowl traveling through Minnesota.

Embrace Open Space
www.embraceopenspace.org
A partnership among local nonprofit organizations to protect open space in the Twin Cities region. Supported by The McKnight Foundation.

Environmental Protection Agency’s Smart Growth Program
www.epa.gov/dced
(202) 566-2878
Helps states and communities realize the economic, community and environmental benefits of smart growth and conservation design. They work to remove federal barriers that may hinder smarter community growth and create new resources and incentives for those pursuing smart growth.

Green Communities, Minnesota
www.greencommunitiesonline.org/minnesota
1-800-277-2258
Supports the production of affordable homes with markedly reduced energy costs, use of materials beneficial to the environment, conservation-minded land-use planning and attention to the creation of healthy environments and lifestyles for individuals, children, families and communities.

Government Training Services
www.mngts.org
(651) 222-7409
Offers training opportunities on the legal, civic and cultural skills needed to serve in elected  offices and on Planning Boards and Boards of Adjustment. Frequently offered sessions include, “The Basics of Planning and Zoning”, “Your Role as a Planning Commission Member”, and “Getting the Most Out of Your Comprehensive Plan”.

Initiative Foundation
www.ifound.org
1-877-632-9255
Provides a variety of programs, including training, grants, technical assistance and resource referral to communities and nonprofit organizations seeking to develop and implement strategic plans to protect all types of natural resources. The foundation also has financing opportunities for “green businesses”, and can provide donor services to individuals or communities seeking to develop financial tools to support community-based conservation initiatives.

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
www.bwsr.state.mn.us
(651) 296-3767
Works through local governments to protect and enhance the state’s soil and water resources by implementing the state’s conservation policies, comprehensive local water management and the Wetland Conservation Act. Website provides assistance in identifying local water-planners or district conservationists, or for those seeking technical assistance.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
www.dnr.state.mn.us
1-888-646-6367
The primary agency responsible for Minnesota’s fish and wildlife resources. Website allows users to search databases for fishery survey, management plan data, water chemistry data, recreational and topographic maps and other information relative to a specific body of water. Also has valuable information on aquatic invasive species.

Minnesota Land Trust
www.mnland.org
(651) 647-9590
Dedicated to permanently protecting the lands and waters that define our communities and enrich our quality of life. The Land Trust is the only statewide organization that extensively uses conservation easements as a preservation strategy.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
www.pca.state.mn.us
1-800-657-3864
Provides statewide monitoring of quality, regulatory controls for pollution as well as technical assistance and education regarding pollution control practices. Website includes information on their Citizen Lake and Stream Monitoring Programs, a variety of brochures, lists of the state’s impaired waters and online tools for charting and interpreting lake data.

Minnesota Rural Water Association
www.mrwa.com
(218) 685-5197
Provides technical assistance to small municipal and non-municipal systems operators, and rural water and wastewater districts with populations less than 10,000. Also provides training across the state to educate water and wastewater operators, community leaders and elected officials on the latest regulatory information, management, financial stability, operation and maintenance of their systems.

Minnesota Waters
www.minnesotawaters.org
1-800-515-5253
Promotes responsible stewardship of our water resources by engaging citizens, state and local policy makers, and other likeminded partners in the protection and restoration of our lakes and rivers. Provides watershed education, conducts citizen monitoring programs, supports conservation stewardship, influences public policy and empowers citizen groups.

National Environmental Educationand Training Foundation
www.greenbiz.com
Provides information, resources and learning opportunities to help companies of all sizes and sectors integrate environmental responsibility into their operations in a manner that supports profitable business practices.

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
www.parksandtrails.org
1-800-944-0707
Acts to help establish, develop and enhance Minnesota’s parks and trails, and to encourage their protection and enjoyment by working with “friends” groups, the state legislature and local government.

Pheasants Forever
www.minnesotapf.org
(320) 354-4377
Focuses on protection and enhancement of pheasant and other wildlife habitat through habitat improvement, management, education and legislation. Has played an active role in Farm Bill policy development and implementation, which includes the Conservation Reserve Program.

Sauk River Watershed District
www.srwdmn.org
(320) 352-2231
It is the mission of Sauk River Watershed District to apply our unique abilities and authorities in ways that protect and enhance our watershed's resources for today and tomorrow.

Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District
www.soilandwater.co.stearns.mn.us/
(320) 251-7800 Ext. 3
It is the mission of the Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District to provide local leadership in the conservation of soil, water and related natural resources through programs and partnerships with individuals, businesses, organizations and governments.

Trust for Public Land
www.tpl.org
(651) 917-2240
Helps conserve land for recreation and spiritual nourishment and to improve community health and quality of life. Pioneers new ways to finance parks and open space, helps generate conservation funding and promotes the importance of public lands.

U.S. Green Building Council
www.usgbc.org
(202) 828-7422
A coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy. Develops a variety of programs and services, and forges alliances with key industry and research organizations and federal, state and local government agencies.

University of Minnesota Extension Service Water Resources Center
wrc.umn.edu
(612) 624-9282

Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
septic.umn.edu
Offers training on appropriate wastewater treatment technologies, from simple operation and maintenance of a septic system, to helping guide a community.

Shoreland Management Information
www.shorelandmanagement.org
The Extension Service, in partnership with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, provides copies of several helpful guides on the website, including “Developing a Lake Management Plan.”

Shoreland Volunteer Program
wrc.umn.edu/outreach/shore
Training includes water-quality monitoring, aquatic-plant identification and lakescaping.

University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program
www.seagrant.umn.edu
(218) 726-8106
Provides staff, research, outreach and research funding to expand understanding about Minnesota’s aquatic resources and economies. The Sea Grant Program has outstanding training materials on exotic species.