Thanks to funding from the Vermillion Watershed Joint Powers Organization and Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI), the Vermillion Stewards Program was launched by FMR in 2005 as a way to engage local citizens in activities that protect the Vermillion River and the many tributaries, lakes and wetlands that makes up its watershed.

FMR just completed our fourth year of the Vermillion Stewards Program, helping local residents learn about the watershed while working to protect and enhance its unique natural resources.

Program Goals

The 2008 Vermillion Stewards program had four key goals:

Community Outreach and Citizen Engagement

Increase community outreach and engage local citizens and communities in the work of the Vermillion Watershed Joint Powers Organization and the Vermillion Stewards Program.

Natural Resource Protection

Improve the overall health of the Vermillion River and the tributaries, lakes and wetlands that make up its watershed by coordinating a series of hands-on watershed stewardship and education activities throughout the watershed.

Public Education and Awareness

Raise awareness throughout the community about the importance of watershed protection and what local residents, businesses, organizations and communities can do to help.

Partnership and Resource Development

Build strong partnerships and leverage the Vermillion Watershed Joint Powers Organization’s resources by bringing additional financial and professional resources to the watershed.

2008 Events Schedule

Our 2008 Vermillion Stewards event schedule is complete.

This year, 369 people participated in Vermillion Stewards events, contributing 842.5 hours of service over 15 events. Events included a great mix of education, stewardship, restoration and monitoring activities in communities across the watershed:

• A spring birding hike
• Woodland and prairie plantings
• Seed collections
• River-friendly gardening and landscaping workshops
• Stream bank restoration
• Exotic species removal
• A Prairie restoration tour
• A Vermillion River trout survey

Reports

Our 2008 Vermillion Stewards Program final report is now available online.

An MPR Highlight

At one of the Vermillion Stewards trout survey events this fall, we were joined by MPR reporter Stephanie Hemphill. She later reported on how Vermillion River Watershed stakeholders have balanced development with resource protection.

FMR Awarded Vermillion Stewards Program contract for 2009!

FMR was recently awarded the 2009 Vermillion Stewards Program contract by the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization! We look forward to another great year of Vermillion Stewardship again in 2009!

Get Involved!

The Vermillion Stewards program is a great way to get involved with the community and meet new people while actively helping to protect the Vermillion River as an asset and amenity to the area in which you live.

All programs are free and open to the public. For more information or to get involved, contact Volunteer Coordinator sue rich through our contact page or at 651-222-2193 x14