The Watershed Game challenges, informs decision-makers

Photo: Angie Hong, East Metro Water Resources Education Program, facilitates the Watershed Game aboard a St. Croix riverboat.

When Angie Hong is reaching out with water education in Washington County, it doesn’t matter if she’s talking to people who are conservative- or liberal-minded. “Everybody cares about water,” says Hong, who is with the East Metro Water Resources Education Program.

Hong would know. She has spent the last 12 years teaching communities about water. From invasive species to stormwater runoff to chemical pollution, there are many threats to water quality. One tool that Hong uses to bring people together is the Watershed Game.

Developed in 2006 by educators at University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Sea Grant, the Watershed Game provides a hands-on opportunity for policy leaders to learn about water management strategies they can implement in their communities. There is also a youth classroom version. An updated edition of the Watershed Game, incorporating new University knowledge, launched this fall.

Plain language, hands-on approach

John Bilotta, Extension educator, was one of the experts who developed the game. Twelve years later, he’s still involved. In addition to facilitating the game themselves, Bilotta and his Extension colleagues train natural resource professionals from […]

“Game leads to action” — full article: The Watershed Game challenges, informs decision-makers

More about watersheds:

Watershed Planning Program (WPP) — Massachusetts

Watershed group’s “blanket” approach to erosion control

Pennsylvania watershed contaminated with radioactive material and endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Long term ag change impacts stream water quality

Stanford study: changing scope of Native American groundwater rights

Should Rivers Have Rights? A Growing Movement Says It’s About Time