Clean Water Minnesota Learning Community Summary + Evaluation Presented to the Subcommittee on Minnesota Water Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Stakeholder Engagement Process Research: Stakeholder perceptions of water priorities Our process: Clean Water Minnesota The road ahead: Stakeholder priorities

Research Stakeholder Perceptions of Water Priorities

Same questions: How do you think about water in MN? Research Overview 22 in-depth interviews Diverse sectors Same questions: How do you think about water in MN?

Key Findings Priorities: Aging Infrastructure, Ground/ Surface Pollution Few Understand Outside Ag – Environment – Local Gov. Greater MN Challenge: Aging Infrastructure – Agriculture Double Bind

Speak With A Unified Voice Our Resulting Strategies Speak With A Unified Voice Widen The Tent Create Space For Relationships, Understanding

Clean Water Minnesota A learning community designed to build relationships, understanding

Learning Community Engaging Across Sectors

Q: What were your goals for participating in the learning community? Relationships Are A Motivator Q: What were your goals for participating in the learning community?

Participants Rated the Process Worthwhile

Fresh Approaches To Water Issues Stood Out

Participants’ Stand-Out Lessons “We are too fragmented to be effective right now…. We need to find a way to remove power structures and create a common ground.” “Minnesota ag land is rented. Looking at success in terms of decreasing inputs to increase profits, rather than the traditional growth model, can help conservation land management be more successful.” “Small towns are stretched for people and people are on the landscape because they love it.”

“Our existing government systems need a new paradigm.” Participants’ Biggest Take Away’s “The scale of change needed, and the importance of equity in decision making.” “People have a lot more in common than we think. We just need to know how to better communicate our differences and shared goals if we are going to be successful.” “Our existing government systems need a new paradigm.” “We need to listen and not assume we have answers since we don’t know the question.” “There is a real disconnect between urban and rural folks understanding water issues and solutions to those issues.”

The Road Ahead Stakeholder Priorities

Perceived Barriers To Clean Water

Perceived Opportunities For Clean Water Policy

Support Needed To Achieve Success

Perceived Role For Funders

Key Lessons of the Learning Community Assets For Future Work Stories Fresh Perspectives Relationships

Continued Success Will Require… Key Lessons of the Learning Community Continued Success Will Require… Deepen Trust With New Relationships Deepen Connections Between NGOs, Public Sector

Questions?