FRESHWATER SOCIETY

Water is essential for life. The abundance of lakes, rivers and groundwater in Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” is part of our natural heritage. But despite the wealth of our water resources, we know our streams and lakes are contaminated by fertilizers, pesticides, industrial chemicals and human and animal wastes. Some areas of the state do not even have enough water supply.

FACT: Phosphorus and nitrogen are the primary sources of water pollution.

WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT IT: We work with partners to conduct Community Clean-ups for Water Quality (CCWQ) which encourage citizens to “grab a rake and save a lake” by raking and disposing of organic debris such as leaves and dirt before it and its byproducts are carried by storm water into our lakes and streams. Each pound of phosphorus and nitrogen can cause the growth of up to 500 pounds of algae. In 2010, working in partnership with Friends of the Minnesota Valley, the program’s founding organization, 425 volunteers collected about 3090 bags or 61,800 pounds of organic debris, which means approximately 618 pounds of phosphorus and nitrogen won't pollute. We need your support for Clean-ups for Water Quality to be conducted every Spring and Fall in cities and townships throughout the State.

FACT: Soils, manure, fertilizer and other chemicals run off farm fields and feedlots in the Minnesota River Valley, eventually ending up in the Mississippi River. Nutrient pollution from rivers in the Midwest are cited as a major cause of the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico, now encompassing 6-7000 square miles!

WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT IT: Thanks to a planning grant as winners of the Minnesota Idea Open, our partner, the National Park Service and the Freshwater Society are implementing an innovative program called, Minnesota FarmWise. It will recruit experienced active and retired farmers who have successfully implemented conservation farming techniques in their fields. They will mentor, advise, and lead other farmers in their practices to protect and conserve critical, high priority areas in the Minnesota River Valley. We will conduct an evaluation of the farmers’ changed farming practices. We need your support to unite farmers to farm sustainably in order to protect the environment!

FACT: Water pollution and supply issues are not unique to Minnesota. At least three in four Americans surveyed in Gallup’s 2011 Environmental poll on March 28, 2011, say they worry a great deal or fair amount about the contamination of soil and water by toxic waste, pollution of rivers, lakes and reservoirs and pollution of drinking water. Environmental experts across the country agree with that concern.

WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT IT: Given the national spotlight on water resource issues, we partnered with the University of Minnesota to hold a series of free public lectures, attracting expert speakers from across the nation. For example, we hosted a presentation led by Craig A. Cox, a senior vice president of the Environmental Working Group, in February, who addressed agricultural practices and ways to “take pollution out of agricultural production.” In June, Gretchen Daly, a Stanford University ecologist spoke about “putting a price on Nature to protect it.” On November 10, Fred Kirschenmann, author of Cultivating an Ecological Conscience: Essays from a Farmer Philosopher, will speak on “Water and the Challenges Facing U.S. and World Agriculture in the 21st Century.” These are just a few examples of the lectures and we would like to draw international experts and offer workshops with community leaders. We need your support to offer more public forums!

Since 1968—two years before the First Earth Day—the Freshwater Society has worked to protect and restore lakes, rivers and aquifers. This year, we kicked off out “Work for Water Campaign,” that takes citizen involvement to a new level and will research, educate and influence Minnesota citizen’s knowledge, attitude and behaviors around storm water and non-point source pollution.

Visit our website: www.freshwater.org Read our blog: www.freshwatersocietyblog.org.Please help us continue, and expand, the work we do on behalf of clean, sustainable water.