Help clean up the Cannon River and collect free soft water for your flower gardens. Join the Cannon River Watershed Partnership in learning about runoff and the benefits of rain barrels for water conservation and gardening. Go home with a fully assembled 55-gallon plastic rain barrel and the knowledge that YOU are doing something for clean water.
Northfield workshops will be held:
April 20th at 1:00 PM at First UCC Church, 300 Union Street as part of the Earth Day Celebration. Register by emailing beth@crwp.net or call (507) 786-3913. Cost is $40.
April 30th at 7 PM at the Northfield Community Resource Center, Room 225. Register through Northfield Community Services, #3275-W13A, Cost is $45.
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on March 29, 2013, 5:50 am
While it may not look much like spring today it’s coming soon – really! Cannon River Watershed Partnership has some fabulous opportunities for you to get outdoors, explore the watershed and celebrate spring.
Introduction to Kayaking – April 17th – 6 PM
Instructors: Marshall Wright (ACA instructor) and Betsy Wright.
Where: 5351 Elkton Trail, Faribault, MN.
Cost: FREE to CRWP members. To become a member go to the CRWP website.
If you are not a member of CRWP, the cost per person is $10. Please register through CRWP by emailing beth@crwp.net or (507) 786-3913.
Join us for a tantalizing wine tasting and auction experience. Enjoy a fabulous afternoon with friends sampling local wines from the Cannon River Winery and local foods from Thousand Hills Cattle Company and more, while bidding on fantastic auction items to support CRWP’s work for clean water.
Tickets are $30 each or two for $50. To purchase tickets contact Leslie at leslie@crwp.net or (507) 786-3915. Tickets will be available at the door as well.
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on December 6, 2012, 11:01 am
Cannon River Watershed Partnership is planning to roll out a new project in 2013 that we are calling Connecting With The Creek. Our goal is to engage people at a young age so they can gain a life-long appreciation of their watershed. With this project, youth will be engaged through interactive, after-school and summer sessions to experience nature in a deeper way. Hands-on activities will allow them to touch, see, smell, and hear the creek as they learn about its health and what lives there.
Now we just need to find the funding to make it happen! We’ve applied through Nature’s Path EnviroKidz to win a grant for $10,000 that will help get this off the ground.
YOU can help us win this grant by voting for the project on Facebook from December 1 – December 15th.
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on November 23, 2012, 6:11 am
A few weeks ago most of us went to the polls and elected someone else to represent us in the state and federal government as members of the Minnesota Legislature, the US Senate and House of Representatives. We hope that they will convey what matters to us to these governing bodies. Sometimes we have opportunities to speak to these elected officials and the agency staff who carry out the work of government and voice our opinions. Over the next few weeks the Environmental Congress of the State of Minnesota is giving us a chance to do just that. So just what is this Environmental Congress? As it turns out, Minnesota law instructs the state Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to hold and Environmental Congress to:
Assess Minnesota’s progress toward improving and sustaining clean air, clean water, and clean energy in our communities
Engage Minnesotans in constructive public dialogue about our state’s environmental and economic health
Identify environmental challenges and opportunities to improve and sustain the health of Minnesota’s natural resources and quality of life
Define a vision, and recommend specific policy changes to learn from our past, build on our strengths, and leave a legacy for future generations of Minnesotans
The EQB will be presenting an environmental and energy “Report Card” at Citizen Forums around the state over the next few weeks to talk about the report card which measures Minnesota’s performance in clean air, clean water, and clean energy. These Citizen Forums are our chance to engage in conversations and give feedback on the report card findings and share our thoughts on these important environmental issues. The EQB will use this feedback as they host the Environmental Congress in March 2013. For information about dates, locations and more information on the Environmental Congress go to http://mn.gov/EnvironmentalCongress/forum.html.
Some Cannon River Watershed Partnership staff and members are planning to attend the sessions on November 27in Rochester and Bloomington. Want to join us? Call me at (507)786-3913 or send me an email at beth@crwp.net. Make your voice heard!
Locations and Times:
Wood Lake Meeting Center – Oak Room, 210 Wood Lake Drive, Rochester – 9:30 AM – Noon
Normandale Community College – Kopp Student Union, 9700 France Avenue South, Bloomington – 6:30PM – 9:00 PM
Refreshments will be served. Free Parking at both locations.
May 17th – 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Blue Thumb class to learn about rain gardens
Location: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 500 West 3rd St. Northfield
The class will cover: Rain garden basics; Design and installation for your property; Maintenance.
Bring a rough sketch of your property layout and downspouts for more site specific advice. Northfield residents may qualify for a $250 grant to install their own rain garden. Attendance is free but registration is requested.
May 19th – 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Way Park Community Planting Day
Location: Way Park, 720 West 1st St., Northfield
Join us for a community planting day for the new rain gardens in Way Park. Come for 15 minutes or stay the whole day!
No gardening experience necessary. Bring gloves and a shovel if you have them. Please wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear. Snacks and refreshments provided.
The walk will take you through the St. Olaf Natural Lands to view wetlands, woodlands, and prairie habitats. The naturalist will talk about wetland and prairie restoration as it relates to water quality.
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on April 10, 2012, 6:13 am
Join us for a Fun Run/Walk to celebrate spring and support clean water! The trail runs along the edge of Cannon Lake just outside of Faribault.
Start: 8:00 AM (registration), 9:00 AM (Run/Walk)
Registration: $12.00 by April 15, 2012, $15.00 after April 15, 2012
Location: Sakatah Singing Hills Trail at Shager Park, Faribault, MN
The park is located on the west side of Hwy 60 approximately 2 miles west of the Faribault city limits. Hwy 60 can be accessed from Interstate 35 in Faribault.
The Board of Directors of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership cordially invites our members and the public to attend our Annual Membership Meeting, Monday March 19, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 500 3rd St. West.
There will be social time and refreshments, a brief membership meeting and a keynote presentation by Commissioner Paul Aasen from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. RSVP to leslie@crwp.net or call (507) 786-3915. More info on the CRWP events page.
She’ll present the "opportunity maps" that were created to show some ideas of how marginal lands can be used differently and how to add value to the two crop rotation system with "third crops". Learn more at This Perennial Land.
I entered Cannon River Watershed Partnership’s photo contest this year and whaddya know, I placed. Here are the winners in the three categories (thumbnails are linked to the large originals on the CRWP site but they still display in a slideshow here in the blog post):
Category: Family and Friends in the Outdoors First Place: Laurie Johnson Second Place: John Muellerleile
Category: Working for Our Watershed First place: Glenn Switzer Second place: Griff Wigley
Category: Nature in Our Watershed First Place: Griff Wigley Second Place: Eric Mueller Third Place: David Charlton
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on January 16, 2012, 5:33 am
The public is invited to attend a watershed wide, citizen–led conversation on water quality issues facing the Straight, Cannon, Le Sueur and Mississippi Rivers to be held on Thursday February 2nd at the Holiday Inn & Suites, 2365 43rd St NW, Owatonna, MN from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free, but advanced registration is required.
The conversation is being sponsored by a wide range of grassroots citizen groups, farm groups, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and InCommons. The purpose of the meeting is to explore how citizens, businesses and government can share leadership by collaborating to restore water quality in the four river systems.
The meeting will feature a meal and round table discussions facilitated by InCommons – a community-based initiative that connects Minnesotans to share tools, knowledge and resources to address complicated problems.
The Owatonna dialogue will be patterned after a similar round table discussion held in Mankato on December 6, 2011, More than 130 people attended the discussion that featured farmers, environmental advocates, government agency workers and recreational users of the river all sitting at the same table to discuss the issues and seek common ground.
The public is invited and welcome to attend. Farmers and landowners are especially encouraged to participate. To register for the meal and dialogue or for more information, call 1-877-269-2873 by January 25, 2012. Seating is available for 80 people on a first come, first served basis. Organizers are expecting a full house, so don’t delay.
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on January 8, 2012, 6:52 pm
Join us for a fun afternoon sampling local wine, local foods, bidding on auction items to include dinners, tours, art and more while supporting clean water and the Cannon River Watershed Partnership. Tickets are $30 each or 2 for $50. Contact Leslie at leslie@crwp.net or call (507) 786-3915.
Can’t make it to the event but still want to bid on auction items? We’ll be posting many of the items on the CRWP website the week of January 23rd so you can bid before the event.
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on December 2, 2011, 8:44 pm
Dr. Michael Osterholm, epidemiologist and trout-fishing enthusiast, will share the story of rehabilitating three trout streams on his Prairie Song Farm in Iowa.
Until 2002 the streams were degraded by severe bank erosion and a lack of in-stream cover. Since that time, an extensive effort was made to enhance stream habitat, increase fish and prey populations, and improve spawning sites. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of issues surrounding coldwater stream improvement. Lessons learned will inform restoration efforts on our local trout stream, Rice Creek.
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on November 1, 2011, 8:48 am
Do you love the outdoors? Did you go on a really good canoe trip? Host a birthday party by a lake? Catch the biggest fish ever? Are you eager to share summer and fall pictures of our watershed? The CRWP wants your photos for a seasonal photo contest.
Photos will be judged on their originality, artistic merit and portrayal of an environmental theme. All photos will be available for public view in an on-line photo album. First, Second and Third Prize photos will be displayed on our website. Photos are due before December 1st 2011; winners will be announced early January.
Categories
“Working for our watershed” photos with themes of environmental stewardship
“Family and friends in the outdoors” People enjoying water
“Nature in our watershed” landscape and wildlife photography
Entry guidelines
Maximum of 3 submissions per photographer
Photos must be submitted electronically to carmen@crwp.net before 12/1/11
File size no bigger than 4MB
Include your name, the location of the photo and a 1-2 sentence description
Specify category of submission: Working for Our Watershed, Family and Friends in the Outdoors,or Nature in Our Watershed
By submitting your photo, you give CRWP the right to use it in future web and print publications.
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on September 30, 2011, 9:24 pm
Buy a rain barrel now and be ready for spring gardening. The Cannon River Watershed Partnership has fully assembled 55 gallon plastic rain barrels (white or blue) for sale for $40. To purchase your rain barrel please contact Leslie at (507) 786-3915 or email leslie@crwp.net.
Why harvest rainwater?
Free “soft water” containing no chlorine, lime or calcium making it ideal for gardens, flower pots, car and window washing.
A rain barrel will save you about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months!
Helps protect the environment while it saves you money and energy.
Diverting water from storm drains decreases the impact of runoff to streams and lakes.
A rain barrel is an easy way for you to have a FREE consistent supply of clean, fresh water for outdoor uses do your part for clean water!
The last two years we have pulled 48,000 pounds of trash from our rivers and lakes. We need your help to continue our work for healthier water and healthier communities. Walking and canoe access sites will be available. Groups from across the watershed are participating in this annual cleanup. Make a difference in your community and have fun!
The tour will begin with a Carleton rain garden and move into the surrounding neighborhood to explore a private rain garden and a several boulevards with alternative plantings.
Participants will learn how native plantings filter and absorb runoff, attract birds and butterflies, and add color and variety to green spaces.
When: Tuesday, August 30th, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Departs from the parking lot for Carleton College’s Memorial Hall, at the intersection of 1st Street East and Nevada Street
The Cannon River Watershed Partnership (events page link) invites the public to join us for a Learn to Kayak class on July 20th at 6:30 PM at 5351 Elkton Trail in Faribault. The class will be taught by Marshall Wright. Marshall is an American Canoe Association certified instructor. He will present the basics of kayaking through informal lecture and on-land demonstrations.
You’ll get to sit in a recreational kayak and several touring kayaks. You’ll learn the terminology: hard vs soft chine; skeg vs rudder; primary vs secondary stability, etc. You will handle a variety of paddles and review essential safety equipment. Also covered: racking & tie-down for transport, launching and landing.
Participants must be at least 16 years old. Cost is $10.00 per person. Please note, you must pre-register by July 15th. Email beth@crwp.net or call (507) 786-3913 to sign up, space is limited.
Last week, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) stream biologists sampled fish in Rice Creek near Northfield and Trout Brook near Miesville.
Saint Olaf professors and students, along with interns with Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), aided the biologists with the sampling. Together, the group netted and counted over 600 brook trout and 150 brown trout in five small reaches along the streams.
Of significance, some of the trout counted were 2-inch, young-of-year trout, indicating that stream conditions are adequate for trout reproduction. MPCA stream biologist Brenda Asmus:
I was quite surprised and impressed by the number of healthy adult fish and small young-of-the-year brook and brown trout that we found in these two streams.
Some observations were not indicative of good stream health, however. The group noticed large amounts of filamentous algae, an indication of high nutrient levels in the streams. Asmus:
Small amounts of algae are normal, but high amounts of algae can cause conditions that are stressful to fish. [This is especially the case] during warm summer days when the algae decomposes and competes with trout and aquatic insects for oxygen.
In August, MPCA stream biologists will return to Rice Creek and Trout Brook to sample insects and snails and to collect water chemistry information.
The biologists will be looking for the presence or absence of pollution sensitive fish and insects. Based on what fish and aquatic insects are found, they can get a general picture of the health of the streams. If pollution sensitive species are missing from a stream, it will be rated “impaired” and follow-up work will done to determine the specific problem.
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Cannon Valley Trail and the beauty of the Wild & Scenic Cannon River by taking part in the Cannon River Peddle Paddle on June 4th from 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
Bike from the trail head off Hwy 19 in Cannon Falls to Welch and back, a 20 mile round trip, on the Cannon Valley Trail. Or enjoy a 3-4 hour paddle on the Wild & Scenic Cannon River from Cannon Falls to Welch.
Put your canoes in the Cannon River at Riverside Park (North 4th Street in Cannon Falls) and take out at Welch. Parking is available next to the river at Riverside Park and the Cannon Valley Trail site in Welch.
Don’t have a canoe? Rentals are available at Welch Mill Canoe and Tubing. Refreshments and other activities will be going on at the Welch rest area as part of the Cannon Valley Trail 25th Anniversary Celebration.
By Elizabeth Kallestad, on April 18, 2011, 10:13 pm
Join the Cannon River Watershed Partnership to learn about runoff and the benefits of using rain barrels for water conservation and gardening. Go home with a fully assembled 55 gallon plastic rain barrel and the knowledge that you are doing something for clean water.
Through the generous support of the Beim Foundation, CRWP will begin hosting rain barrel building workshops in the cities of Owatonna, Faribault, Northfield, Waseca and Red Wing in 2011.
At the workshops, participants will learn about water conservation, runoff and how they can reduce the pollution that reaches our lakes and rivers by capturing roof runoff in a rain barrel. The barrels also provide a free source of water for your outdoor watering needs. We will assemble 55 -gallon plastic drums with the attachments needed to make them rain barrels.
Northfield rain barrel building workshops
Pre-registration is required!
Just Food Co-op: April 21– 7:00 PM; Cost—$42 (Coop owners) $45 (non-Co-op owners); register by calling the Co-op at (507) 650-0106.
Northfield Perennial Earth Day Celebration: April 30—1:00 PM; River Walk/Water Street between 4th and 5th St. Rain location is First United Church of Christ, 300 Union St. Cost—$40; register by calling CRWP at (507) 786-3915 or emailing leslie@crwp.net.
This Earth Day, celebrate the planet we live on with good food and great people.
Bring a lunch and join us on the new limestone steps on the Riverwalk area across from the Northfield Liquor Store (Northfield’s Sesquicentennial Plaza ).
We can talk about the Cannon River and what we’d like it to be.
Day of event registration begins at 8:00 AM. The run/walk starts at 9:00 AM. We’ll start and end the race at Rice County’s Shager Park. For registration and more details, see this event info page. All proceeds will benefit Cannon River Watershed Partnership.
This film traces the development of America’s bountiful heartland and its effect on the legendary river. Through beautiful photography and inspiring narrative, the film offers solutions to the river’s troubles through fresh ideas and concrete solutions.
As the Cannon River is a contributor to the Mississippi River, its problems are our problems. Join us for this screening and thoughtful discussion after the film. The event is free and open to the public.
February 10, 2011, 7 PM – 9 PM; St. Olaf College, Regents Hall – Room 310.
Griff Wigley: The video of last night’s school calendar panel discussion is now up; blog comment thread now open thru Apr 30.
Griff Wigley: I’m putting on my consulting hat again this week and inviting y’all to this panel discussion video conference/live chat/blog discussion thread on the school calendar scheduled for this Wed, April 24, 8 pm.
Griff Wigley: Also in yesterday’s Northfield News, reporter Ashley Klemer (@AshleyKlemer) has an article titled Northfield Public Schools holds second school calendar meeting. You can comment on my Calendar Conversation blog post about the article...
Angela Lauterbach: How about some photos? I’ve got some for you! [img]http://locallygrownnorthf ield.org/wp-content/uploads/20 13/05/IMG_20130502_085009.jpg[ /img] [img]http://locallygrownnorthf ield.org/wp-content/uploads...
Griff Wigley: The Draft Report on the Downtown Parking Conversation is now up. blog comment thread now open thru May 3.
Griff Wigley: In yesterday’s Northfield News, reporter Kaitlyn Walsh (@NFNKaitlyn) has an article titled Downtown Northfield parking conversation nears its end. You can comment on my Downtown Parking blog post about the article here.
Griff Wigley: Do you live downtown? Do you live near downtown? Then you’re invited to a meeting to discuss parking issues, Mar. 28, 8 pm at the library. Details here.
Griff Wigley: Thanks, Bill. There are some things in the works that might make my announcement of a sale premature. Stay tuned!
Bill Ostrem: Griff, Northfield has benefited greatly from the quality of LGN and the discussion it fosters. I hope it will continue to thrive after it is sold!
kiffi summa: One only has to see how LG has been dormant in recent days/weeks to see how much energy it has to absorb to keep ‘alive’ , and how much of that energy has to be primed by its moderator. But it is sad to see how this forum...
Griff Wigley: Thank you, Bill. It’s not over yet and I have no idea what’ll happen next.
Griff Wigley: Thanks for digging that up, Curt. Very strange.
Curt Benson: The Minnesota Secretary of State website says the name was registered by Gehring in December, 2012: http://mblsportal.sos.state.mn .us/Business/SearchDetails?fil ingGuid=475f479d-c443-e211-bc4 3-001ec94ffe7f
Griff Wigley: Just an FYI to those inquiring: Dick Heibel doesn’t check this blog, he does not have email that I know of, and his web page is no longer working. You’ll have to phone him. I’m not sure if this number is current but...
Mary-Lynn Wigodsky: Hello Mr. Heibel, I would love to have my small snow globe repaired. It has a small figurine that is broken in just two places. The base looks solid. We had it in our home growing up in the 50′s -but it may be older than...
Gary Val Tenuta: Just found out Mom’s Best Cereals contain GMOs. Big discussion about it on the Mom’s Best Cereal Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/MomsBe stFanPage?ref=ts&fref=ts
Griff Wigley: Arlen, I actually didn’t mention or link to a realtor in my blog post or comments. I just linked to the MLS listing for the two houses I spotted on Nevada.
Arlen Malecha: Griff – As a Realtor I am glad to see you helping promote homes for sale within the Northfield community. However, I think it is prudent to advance the local realty websites such as www.coldwellbankernorthfield.c om vs the one...
Jesse Steed: Hello Teresa, I’m a Realtor with Edina Realty based in Northfield. If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know. My office number is 507-645-1179.
Jesse Steed: Thanks for posting my listing! Here’s a link to 410 Nevada that includes the virtual tour (an audio tour of the home’s history) performed by the seller himself! http://www.edinarealty.com/jes se-steed-realtor/homes-for-...
Teresa Jensen: Thanks, Bill; it looks like a lovely home, but my home search is limited to Northfield city limits. Thanks, too, Griff, for the Nevada house links– I will check out in person when I arrive in May!
Griff Wigley: See my Storify story blog post on bike sharrows.
Griff Wigley: A helpful sharrows cartoon from Bikeyface.com:
Griff Wigley: Strib: Wooddale Avenue’s pioneering bike lanes in Edina look doomed The street that has baffled Edinans since it was re-striped last fall may get an easier-to-understand painting fix this spring. Wooddale Avenue, a primary...
Griff Wigley: I wonder how this could have been avoided.
Griff Wigley: In today’s Strib: Wooddale Avenue’s pioneering bike lanes in Edina look doomed The street that has baffled Edinans since it was re-striped last fall may get an easier-to-understand painting fix this spring. Wooddale...
Griff Wigley: Kiffi, I don’t know that it would be practical to try to launch a Northfield Bike Task Force, a Dundas Bike Task Force, a Rice County Bike Task Force, a Bridgewater Township Bike Task Force, etc. Maybe at some point those...
Griff Wigley: David, I don’t think the primary purpose of a regional bike council would be to secure taxpayer money for bike projects/infrastructure. It would be to study, recommend, plan, guide, educate, collaborate, etc.
kiffi summa: Even though a knee injury when I was young has kept me from being a bicyclist, I definitely realize the importance of a bicycle culture to a community. I would hope that any bicycle task force would be created in each community, with...
Griff Wigley: Mary, the trend among hyperlocal online news entities seems to be heading towards the non-profit membership model where you get extra benefits (see, MinnPost members, Texas Tribune members). I’m not sure Northfield is big...
Mary Schier: Patch (AOL) is under intense pressure from shareholders to make a profit this year. It’s had a hiring freeze for some time and with fewer people, it has been going to more regional coverage. This works OK (not great, but OK) in...
kiffi summa: Agreed …I’m about to unsubscribe. There’s also a tinge of sensationalism, instead of serious news updates; for example: what’s with the story of the death of a 26 year old Lonsdale woman ‘above the...
Griff Wigley: I agree, Jane. And they seem to be over-reaching to make the connection to Northfield on some stories, eg: Northfield State Sen. Dave Thompson Mulling Run for Governor. Next up: Dundas State Sen. Kevin Dahle?
Jane McWilliams: My observation is that there is no local reporting . . . just as I feared!
Donna Volkmann: I see this forum is pretty old from 2008. Does anyone know if there are any homeschool co-ops in Northfield for social interaction? I see there are many in the cities but can’t seem to find any in Northfield. Also, do you...
Griff Wigley: Nfld News: Northfield orders new street signs to fix misspellings “Nineth” Street in Northfield will soon be back to Ninth Street. City staff recently ordered new sign blades from the city’s vendor to fix the...
Susan Canon: yes, but at first I thought they were all in quotes from other people and you were pure…
Griff Wigley: It’s Jose Staphylo! Joe, it took the eyes of Seebs and my daughter’s Facebook connections to wake me up to these signs. I love the idea of a fund raiser (or is it ‘fundrasier’?) but in the spirit of citizen...
Griff Wigley: Susan, I inserted six grammatical/spelling errors. Can you find the others?
Griff Wigley: Today’s Nfld News: Proposed bill would take Northfield public meetings discussion online Minnesota Newspaper Association attorney Mark Anfinson said it’s “entirely sensible” to update existing law to reflect the advantages that...
kiffi summa: another tragedy: in a middle school outside Detroit, amidst 800 students,a popular, non-bullied 14year old shoots himself in the head, fatally, with a 40 caliber Glock pistol…. School had no metal detectors; staff said he was...
kiffi summa: Maybe I’m just too saddened by this story now, david… but I don’t think so… I have long thought that a total overhaul of our correctional system , with its many abuses, needs to be done… but that does not...
David Henson: Kiffi, funny how we always see these stories differently. The USA has over 1 million people enslaved in our prison system. The criminal justice system is a sham. Corrections is big big business (some great stocks if you have the...
kiffi summa: OK… if LG is going to ‘die’ … it should die in step with a deplorable part of American culture, and go out with a ‘BANG’… (don’t get all upset; that is just a metaphor, and contains no...
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