Monday, Oct. 30, 9am-3pm at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park

If you plan it, will they come? Have you ever spent weeks planning a workshop or special event only to be disappointed by dismal turnout or “the same ol’ people” you always see?

This month, we invite EMWREP partners, volunteers, and lake association members to join us for an informal “train the trainer” workshop focused on event planning. We’ll share best practices and lessons learned on what works:
·       Picking the best day, time, location and format
·       Deciding whether to do in-person or virtual
·       Promoting your event
·       Following-up afterwards to keep people engaged

During our workshop, we’ll also practice using hands-on activities to engage people in learning about shoreline health, water cycles, micro-plastics, and chloride pollution.

This workshop will be held at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park (9653 Keats Ave S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016) where we will have access to the new indoor multi-use room, Ravine Lake, and miles of wooded trails. Wear good walking shoes and bring appropriate outdoor gear to practice completing a "Score Your Shore" assessment. We will also take a post-lunch hike to visit some of the park's habitat restoration and flood mitigation sites.

AGENDA:

9-9:30am: Welcome, introductions, and networking

9:30-11am: Interactive presentation - If you plan it, will they come?
(Led by Angie Hong and Barbara Heitkamp, East Metro Water Ed / Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership)

11-11:45am: Outdoor activity - "Score Your Shore" group practice on Ravine Lake

11:45-12:15pm: Lunch

12:15-1pm: Hike to see habitat restoration and flood mitigation projects on site

1-3pm: Interactive lesson and activity demos
   - Water cycles and infiltration media (Led by Lori Maxfield, Washington Conservation District / AmeriCorps)
   - Micro-plastics (Trash Trunk and the Plastic Panic Kit - led by Maggie Karschnia, UMN Extension / SeaGrant) 
   - Chloride pollution and citizen water testing (Salt Watch)
   - Natural shorelines (Led by Barbara Heitkamp)

Email angie.hong@mnwcd.org for more info.