Clean River Rangers
The Clean River Rangers Program is a joint effort between Clean River Partners and the River Bend Nature Center to encourage young people to get outside and take action for stormwater health.
This program, inspired by the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger Program, extends learning beyond the classroom. Elementary students earn challenge stickers by completing clean water tasks in their neighborhood. After earning six stickers, they receive a patch and can become ambassadors for stormwater pollution prevention in their community.
The “Why”: Stormwater Pollution
We are collaborating with the City of Northfield, Faribault, and Owatonna to educate the community about stormwater pollution and the actions everyone can take to protect and improve water quality.
Stormwater pollution occurs when excess water from rain or melted snow and ice flows over hard surfaces, such as roads and concrete. It picks up chemicals and trash along the way and directly enters our waterways through storm drain systems.
What we do on land affects the water. Picking up pet waste, keeping leaves and grass clippings out of the street, using minimal or no lawn fertilizers, and following best practices when spreading manure or applying agricultural chemicals can help keep our waterways in better condition.
The “How”: Stormwater Programs and Events
We have a longstanding partnership with the River Bend Nature Center, focusing on environmental stewardship and education within our communities.
We work together to deliver classroom presentations about stormwater pollution prevention and introduce 4th and 5th-grade students in Northfield, Faribault, and Owatonna to the Clean River Rangers program.
We also organize events with local schools, churches, and organizations where volunteers can help clean storm drains and place decals to remind communities within the watershed to be mindful of what they let drain into the river.
The “Results”: What We’ve Learned
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Classroom Presentations Work
We presented in 33 classrooms, engaging over 650 students in lessons from our Clean River Rangers program for hands-on learning about stormwater health.
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Language Accessibility is Important
We were able to offer program materials in three different languages: English, Spanish, and Somali. At least 10% of our students used the Spanish materials, and 5% Somali materials.
Clean River Rangers Program Resources
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Recursos en Español (Spanish Resources)
Texto del manual en español
Spanish Handbook TextGuía para Guardaparques Junior de Clean River
Junior Clean River Ranger HandbookGuía para Jóvenes Guardaparques de Clean River
Clean River Ranger Handbook -
Ilaha Af-Soomaaliga ah (Somali Resources)
Qoraalka buuga gacanta ee Af-Sooomaaliga ah
Somali Handbook TextBuuga Gacanta ee Yarka Ilaaliyaha Nadaafada Wabiga
Junior Clean River Ranger HandbookBuuga Gacanta ee Ilaaliyaha Nadaafadda Wabiga
Clean River Ranger Handbook
Maqalka Buuga gacanta ee af-Soomaaliga ah
Somali Handbook Audio Recording
Buuga Gacanta ee Yarka Ilaaliyaha Nadaafada Wabiga
Junior Clean River Ranger Handbook
Buuga Gacanta ee Ilaaliyaha Nadaafadda Wabiga
Clean River Ranger Handbook
Clean River Rangers Caregiver Feedback
We have caregiver feedback forms for you to share your thoughts on the Clean River Rangers program! Completing this 5-minute survey will help us improve resources for future Clean River Rangers. We appreciate your responses!
Evaluación por parte de los tutores de los Guardaparques de Clean River
Complete esta encuesta de no más de cinco minutos que nos ayudará a mejorar los recursos destinados a los futuros Guardabosques de Clean River. ¡Agradecemos sus respuestas!
Jawaab-celinta Daryeel-bixiyaha Clean River Rangers
Dhameystirka sahankan 5-daqiiqo ah ayaa naga caawin doona hagaajinta ilaha mustaqbalka ee Clean River Rangers. Waan ka mahadcelineynaa jawaabahaaga!
Questions?
Contact Heron Mahr (they/them), our
Community Engagement Manager
heron@cleanriverpartners.org
(507) 200-0502
We’re grateful for our funders and partners!
