MN Lakes and Rivers launches “City of Lake Stewards” pilot on Lake Harriet

MN Lakes and Rivers is proud to announce the launch of a new pilot initiative, the City of Lake Stewards program, debuting on Lake Harriet in the summer of 2025. Drawing from the success of the organization’s widely respected statewide Lake Steward program, this new effort aims to inspire local residents to take simple, impactful steps to protect and preserve the waters that defi ne life in the City of Lakes.
Thanks to the generous support of R.T. Rybak and The Minneapolis Foundation, the program will focus on fostering a deeper community connection to water stewardship—whether or not residents live directly on the lake.
At the heart of the program is a positive, neighbor-to-neighbor approach that encourages property owners and renters alike to take incremental steps that reduce nutrient runoff into the lake. The goal: to build momentum and shift community norms around what a “beautiful” property looks like—toward one that prioritizes ecological health and clean water through collaboration among neighbors, civic groups, and local institutions.
As part of this pilot, MN Lakes and Rivers will be hiring and training students from Washburn High School to serve as Lake Steward evaluators. These leaders will assess properties, share resources, and help homeowners and renters take incremental steps toward environmentally friendly practices, while gaining valuable leadership experience.
Anyone can be a Lake Steward! Whether you already have a pollinator garden, or you have no idea where to begin, we want you to join us in protecting our lakes for current and future generations.
The LGBTQ+ Outdoor Experience and Recreation Fair is free, and open to all! The event will be held Saturday, May 10th from 12-3 at Queermunity.
For more information or to get involved, take the ‘Are you a Minneapolis Lake Steward?’ quiz and get connected with MLR.