Events

Current events

• January 23, 2018. Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) pre-conference workshop on improving MS4 compliance – enforcement, education, & program evolution. This training will focus on the good, bad and ugly of enforcing your MS4 permit requirements. We will take a look at tips and examples of regulating site plans and SWPPP designs as well as enforcing site violations and illicit discharges. Includes discussions on how to implement program procedures, including enforcement response procedures. There will be idea sharing and examples for educating internal staff and elected officials. MPCA staff will present on the upcoming permit reissuance and what changes to expect in the future. The class will end with an opportunity for you to bring your questions to discuss with MPCA Staff and other MS4 entities. For more information and to register, go to MECA's web site
• January 23-25, 2018: Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) Conference and Trade Show at the DoubleTree Park Place in Minneapolis. Five pre-conference workshops on January 23 and dozens of sessions on January 24 and 25. For more information and to register, go to MECA's web site
• February 8, 2018. Road Salt Symposium at the Plymouth Creek Center in Plymouth, MN. For more information and to register, go to the Freshwater Society's web site.
• University of Minnesota Erosion and Stormwater Management Certification Program: For more information on stormwater training for contractors, engineers, municipal, and industrial site staff see the Program website and the current class schedule.
• February 22, 2018 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm - Fundamentals of Lake Process and Nutrient Impairment - A one day workshop to learn and communicate the framework of delisting a lake using nutrient criteria. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension. For more information, click here
• EPA Green Infrastructure 2017 Webcast Series: This series is geared toward public officials and practitioners just beginning to implement green infrastructure, as well as those looking to enhance established programs. For more information, go to the EPA's Green Infrastructure web site.

Ongoing events

• Blue Thumb offers ongoing classes on rain gardens and shoreline stabilization

Past events

• January 9, 2018 from 1:30 to 3:30 CST. Live webinar on maximizing stormwater best management practices for phosphorus removal. Sponsored by the MPCA. Speakers include Joe Bischoff, Wenck and Associated, Andy Erickson and Sarah Hobbie from the University of Minnesota. To view the recorded webinar, click on this link
• MS4 Workshop on Effective Inspections, October 25, 2017 at the Rogers Community Center in Rogers, MN. For more information, go to MECA's web site.
• Minnesota Water Resources Conference, October 17-18, 2017 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. For more information go to the University of Minnesota's web site.
• Rebecca Higgins and Mike Trojan of the MPCA presented at the Minnesota Section-ASCE meeting on October 19. The topic was Stormwater Infiltration at Contaminated Sites.
• Erosion and Sediment Control Field Seminar on Tuesday, August 1 in Sartell, MN. For more information and to register, go to the Minnesota Erosion Control Association's web site
• MPCA webinar on Bioretention, Tuesday, May 30 from 1:30-3:00. Speakers include Fred Rozumalski, Barr Engineering and Marcey Bean, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. To attend the webinar, click on this link
• Erosion and Sediment Control Field Seminar, May 17, 2017 in Jordan Minnesota. For more information and to register, go to MECA's web site
• Stormwater Practice Maintenance Certification Workshop: May 8-9, 2017 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota.
• Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) Calculator Webinar: Wednesday, March 15 from 1:30-3:00. The webinar included information on using the new underground infiltration BMP, using the updated harvest and use BMP and using the new impervious surface disconnection BMP. To watch the recorded webinar and see the presentations, go to the Stormwater Manual Webinars page
• The third annual funding strategies workshop was held on Monday, February 6, 2017 from 1:00-4:30 at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North in St. Paul. Funding sources from the Board of Water and Soil Resources, Public Facilities Authority and MPCA was discussed, along with successful grant recipients. All the materials from the workshop can be found on the Funding page
• Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) and Stormwater Management Conference and Trade Show, January 31-February 2, 2017 in Mankato Minnesota. For more information go to MECA's web site
• 16th Annual Road Salt Symposium, Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Mounds View Event Center in Mounds View. For more information, and to register, go to the Freshwater Society's web site.
• MS4 Workshop on Effective Inspections, January 31, 2017 from 9:00-4:00 at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, MN. For more information and to register, go to MECA's web site.
• Stormwater Manual webinar on Stormwater and Rainwater Harvest and Use/Reuse, January 25 from 1:30-3:00. To watch the recorded webinar, click here
• Stormwater Manual webinar on Infiltration practices, December 15, 2016; 1:30 pm-3:00 pm. To watch the recorded webinar, click here
• Minnesota Water Resources Conference, October 18-19, 2016 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. For more information, go to the Minnesota Water Resources Conference web site.
• Clean Water Summit, September 22, 2016 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The theme of the summit is: Green Infrastructure for Clean Water-Rethinking Redevelopment and Retrofits. More information can be found at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum web site.
• Erosion and Sediment Control Regulatory Enforcement training on Tuesday, May 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Washington Conservation District in Oakdale. For more information, contact the University of Minnesota Erosion and Stormwater Management Certification Program
• Stormwater Practices Inspection and Maintenance Certification on May 9-10 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. For more information, contact the of Minnesota Erosion and Stormwater Management Certification Program
• Water Reuse Workshop, Monday, May 2, 2016 at CHS Field in St. Paul. Sponsored by the Freshwater Society, this is a "first of it's kind" event exploring the potential benefits for water reuse in Minnesota. For more information, to to the Freshwater Society's web site.
• Stormwater Management on Contaminated Land, April 13, 2016 at Barr Engineering. For more information and to register, go to the Minnesota Brownfields web site
• Green Roofs and Watersheds, Thursday, March 24, 2016 at the Penfield Apartments in St. Paul. The event is free and is sponsored by the Minnesota Green Roofs Council. The event begins at 4:30 with a tour of the Penfield green roof and a discussion from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. For additional information and to register, go to the Minnesota Green Roofs Council web site
• MS4 Permit Workshop focused on inspection aspects of meeting your MS4 permit. Thursday, February 25, 2016' in Rochester, MN and on March 24, 2016 in Brainerd. For more information and to register, go to the Minnesota Erosion Control Association web site or contact the MECA office at 320-685-5444.
• Stormwater Meets Living Streets/GreenSteps Cities Workshop on Tuesday, March 8 at the League of Minnesota Cities in St. Paul. For more information and to register, go to the Minnesota GreenStep Cities web site. This event is free.
• 15th Annual Road Salt Symposium on February 4, 2016 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN. For more information and to register, go the Freshwater Society's web site.
• Stormwater Funding Strategies Workshop on February 3, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road North in St. Paul. For more information, contact Anne Gelbmann, MPCA Stormwater Section at anne.gelbmann@state.mn.us. Agenda:File:Agenda 2 03 16.docx
• Applied Environmental Statistics Workshop, sponsored by the University of Minnesota Stormwater Education Program, February 1-5, 2016 in Farmington. For more information and to register, go to the University's web site.
• Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) Annual erosion Control and Stormwater Management Conference and Trade Show. Double Tree Park Place, Minneapolis, MN. January 26th-28th, 2016. For more information, go the MECA web site.
• Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annual conference. December 6,7,8, 2015 in Bloomington. For more information, go to the MASWCD web site
• The University of Minnesota Stormwater Education Program offers various classes throughout the year. Upcoming classes include an Applied Environmental Statistics Workshop on November 16-20 and an Introductory Environmental Statistics Workshop on December 15, 2015. For more information, visit the University of Minnesota Stormwater Education Program
• Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts annual conference and trade show. December 3-4, 2015 in Alexandria, MN. Go to the MN Association of Watershed District's web site for more information.
• Soil Science Society of America Conference Symposium--Soil and Vegetation Management for Stormwater Control (Session 44); Monday, November 16, 2015: 8:00 AM-11:50 AM; Minneapolis Convention Center, L100 IJ. Note this is part of the joint ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Conference.
• LEED Lunch and Learn: Sustainable Stormwater Infrastructure, Tuesday, November 17, 2015 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at Stantec in Roseville, MN. For more information, go the US Green Building Council, Minnesota Chapter web site.
• Erosion and Sediment Control Field Seminar , Wednesday, September 29, 2015 in Cottage Grove. See the latest erosion and sediment control products and demonstrations. Sponsored by MN Erosion Control Association, South Washington Watershed District and East-Metro Water Resource Education Program. For more information and to register, to go the Minnesota Erosion Control's web site
• Minnesota Water Resources Conference, October 13-14, 2015, at the St. Paul RiverCentre. For more information, go to the University of Minnesota's web site
• Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Stormwater Park and Learning Center Open House. Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Take a walk through a transformed landscape that saves, reuses and cleans stormwater. Also tours, digital displays, kids activities and exhibits. For more information, go to the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization's web site
• Species Selection and Maintenance for Stormwater BMP's. Wednesday, September 9 from 9:00 - 3:30 at Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District in Waite Park. For more information, contact the Minnesota Erosion Control Association
• Clean Water Summit, Green Infrastructure for Clean Water, Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The topic for the summit is "Reconnecting Rainwater and Groundwater". Additional information can be found at the /Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's web site
• Erosion and Sediment Control Field Seminar, Wednesday June 17, 2015 in Mankato, MN. For more information, go to the Minnesota Erosion Control Association's web site
• Minnesota Green Roofs Bike Tour, Sunday June 28, 2015 from 12:00 to 5:00 PM in St. Paul. For more information, go to the Minnesota Green Roofs Council web site
• Stormwater Manual Workshop, June 11, 2015, from 9:00-11:30 at the MN Pollution Control Agency. Topics include: the new master contract, upcoming work orders and technical review teams, a proposed redesign of the manual main page and table of contents, the MIDS calculator, linking research to the Manual and an update on the MIDS Community Assistance Package. For more information, contact Anne Gelbmann at the MPCA at anne.gelbmann@state.mn.us
• MS4 Workshop, Tuesday, March 10 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the Duluth Convention Center. This is a pre-conference workshop to the Minnesota Erosion Control Association Annual Conference. For more information go to the MECA web site
• Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) Calculator Training, March 10, 2015 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Duluth Convention Center. This is a pre-conference workshop to the Minnesota Erosion Control Association Annual Conference. For more information go to the MECA web site
• Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) Annual Conference, March 10, 11, 12, 2015 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Duluth, MN. For more information go to the MECA web site
• Hold the Salt, Please: Chloride Pollution in our Waters, Friday, February 27 from 8:00-9:30 in St. Cloud. Sponsored by the Mississippi River Forum. For more information, contact Lark Weller at lark_weller@nps.gov
• City Stormwater Policy and Reuse Projects, Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 9:00-11:00 at the League of Minnesota Cities office in St. Paul. Sponsored by Minnesota GreenStep Cities. For more information, go to Minnesota GreenStep Cities web page
• Stormwater Research Prioritization Meeting, Monday, January 5, 2015 from 1:00 -3:00 PM at the St. Paul Campus. The meeting will include a presentation on background and present state of stormwater research and a facilitated discussion to get input from stormwater professionals. For more information, contact Mary Dieltz at the University of Minnesota at erosion@umn.edu.
• Stormwater Financial Assistance Workshop, Monday, December 15 from 9-12 at the MN Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN. For more information contact Anne Gelbmann at anne.gelbmann@state.mn.us
• "Can We Harvest Rainwater for Indoor Use?" Friday, October 17 from 8-9:30 a.m. at the McKnight Foundation and November 21 from 8-9:30 in St. Cloud at the St. Cloud City Council Chambers. Sponsored by the National Park Service for the Mississippi River Forum. For more information, contact Lark Weller at lark_weller@nps.gov.
• FLUX32-An introduction and basic training on FLUX 32: A mass transport program for stream and stormwater monitoring data evaluation. November 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. University of Minnesota Extension, Stormwater Education Program
• MS4 Permit Workshop Covering Minimum Control Measures - December 2 in Mankato from 8:30-3:30. Sponsored by the Minnesota Erosion Control Association with funding from the MN Pollution Control Agency. To register, go to: http://mnerosion.org/
• Compost: Uses and Benefits-Add Value to your Erosion Control and Landscape Project - December 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Sponsored by the Minnesota Composting Council
• Minnesota Association of Watershed District Annual Meeting and Trade Show - December 4-6 at the Arrowwood Conference Center in Alexandria. Go to the MAWD web site for more information.
• MS4 Permit Workshop Covering Minimum Control Measures - November 13 in St. Paul from 8:30-3:30. Sponsored by the Minnesota Erosion Control Association with funding from the MN Pollution Control Agency. To register, go to: http://mnerosion.org/
• MS4 Permit Workshop Covering Minimum Control Measures - October 9 in St. Cloud from 8:30-3:30. Sponsored by the Minnesota Erosion Control Association with funding from the MN Pollution Control Agency. To register, go to: http://mnerosion.org/
• Water Resources Conference. October 14-15 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. This conference presents innovative, practical, and applied water resource engineering solutions, management techniques and current research about Minnesota's water resources. At this year's Conference, there will be a special all-day session devoted to low impact development and stormwater.
• Fundamentals of Erosion Control-September 18 in Marshall from 8:00-12:00, sponsored by Minnesota Erosion Control Association. To register, go to http://mnerosion.org/
• MS4 Permit Workshop Covering Minimum Control Measures - September 23 in Detroit Lakes from 8:30-3:30. Sponsored by the Minnesota Erosion Control Association with funding from the MN Pollution Control Agency. To register, go to: http://mnerosion.org/
• P8 Modeling Workshop on September 24 in Oakdale, Minnesota. To register, go to / University of Minnesota Erosion and Stormwater Management Program
• Streambanks and Stormwater: A workshop and tour of practices in communities. September 25 from 4:00-7:30 in Eden Prairie. For more information and to register, go to the University of Minnesota Extension's web site.
• Live from the Storm Drain: Monitoring Stormwater Pollution in Minneapolis. September 26 from 8:00-11:00 a.m. at Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. Sponsored by the National Park Service for the Mississippi River Forum. Contact Lark Weller at lark_weller@nps.gov to register or for more information.
• Clean Water Summit. September 11, 8 AM- 5 PM, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN. The 2014 Clean Water Summit will focus on both the costs and benefits of green infrastructure, including economic, social, and ecological factors.
• MS4 Permit Workshop Covering Minimum Control Measures - August 19 in Vadnais Heights from 8:30-3:30. Sponsored by the Minnesota Erosion Control Association with funding from the MN Pollution Control Agency. To register, go to: http://mnerosion.org/
• Turfgrass Maintenance with Reduced Environmental Impacts, sponsored by Mississippi Watershed Management Organization with funding from the Clean Water Act, Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Fund. FREE August 12. To register, go to http://www.mwmo.org/turfgrass.html
• Brainerd Shoreline and Watershed Practices Tour, sponsored by Minnesota Erosion Control Association and Cass Soil and Water Conservation District and Crow Wing County Soil and Water District-August 12 from 8:00 to 4:30. To register, go to http://mnerosion.org/
• St. Croix Workshop on the Water: Engaging local leaders to preserve and enhance the St. Croix July 29, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Hudson, Wisconsin.
• University of Minnesota Extension Stormwater Practices Maintenance and Certification-July 30, 31 in Blaine, Minnesota. To register, go to University of Minnesota Extension (Class is FULL)
• Minnesota Green Roof Symposium. June 19, 2014 9 AM - 5 PM, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN.
• When Chester Creek Floods. June 12, 2014 2:00 PM- 7:30 PM, University of Minnesota Duluth. Minnesota Sea Grant is hosting an open house so that the public can learn about the economics of flood impacts and green infrastructure strategies to help reduce those impacts.
• MECA 2014 Erosion Control & Stormwater Management Conference and Trade Show; Mystic Lake Conference Center, Prior Lake MN
  • March 4, 2014 Pre-Conference Workshop
  • March 5th – March 6, 2014 Conference
• Northern Green Expo: January 8-10,2014. Minneapolis Convention Center
  • Nina Bassuk: Structural Soil: Growing Trees in Parking Lots and Sidewalks
  • Peter MacDonagh: Environmental Benefits of Trees - Combining Biology & Engineering in an Urban Forest
  • Jay Michels: Green Industry Legislative Forum: Green Industry Business Opportunities in Stormwater Management
• 13th Annual Road Salt Symposium, February 6, 2014
• Friends of the Mississippi River, February 13, 2014: Our Water in a Changing World: Climate Change and the Urban Watershed
• Stormwater U-Innovations in BMPs; Tuesday, April 1,2014 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Maplewood Community Center. $40.00. The workshop will be a series of short and informative presentations from local implements utilizing innovative designs, install techniques, maintenance strategies and stormwater best management practices, including soil amendments, iron enhanced sand filters, tree pits and trenches, stormwater harvesting, Hydro-excavation of buried utilities and more. Register on line at http://z.umn.edu/innovation
• 15th Annual St. Croix Basin Conference Protecting the St Croix River Basin; April 8, 2014 University Center UW River Falls, Wisconsin