Editorial: everyone's got to find the river

The Mankato Free Press editorializes this morning in We’re all responsible for a better river:

The Minnesota River basin will get statewide attention Sunday (6 p.m. KARE-11 TV) with a one-hour documentary, narrated by Ron Schara, well-known outdoorsman and host of the Minnesota Bound television series.

The state’s namesake river had been listed as one of the dirtiest in the nation and big challenges remain to improve it. But the documentary showcases the many people who continue to better the river and the growing number of people who appreciate the gem we have running through southern Minnesota.

The river was a pretty nasty piece of work when I grew up in Southern Minnesota--but then a growing conservation and environmental movement began to change the way we thought about the green world around us. The documentary reflects some local work that sea change provoked:

The documentary is an informative, well-done program that shows the energy and successes in the basin. It’s clear that residents have in the past decade become more interested in the river and more are enjoying it recreationally.

The valley is a unique gift that was long taken for granted, neglected and used as a sewer. There is momentum building in support of the river but difficult choices need to be made to bring true water quality improvement.

And those who don't appreciate the river? The true haints of the world. Next time a smooth-talking politican in a suit  carries on about the need to end environmental regulation, think of the river.

 A list of watch parties along the river for those who want to learn more:

Via Citizens United for the River Environment's (CURE) Facebook event, here's a list:

River Revival: Working Together for a Clean Minnesota River
June 12th, 2011 at 6:00pm on KARE 11 TV

Gather together with friends up and down the river to watch and discuss this documentary which highlights the river's problems but also showcases the fact that citizens are doing something about it.

LOCATIONS:

Ortonville:
Headwaters Grill and Bar
17 2nd St NW, Ortonville,             320-839-2270      
4:00-7:30
Hosts: Dale and Mary Homan, Duane Ninneman

Montevideo and Granite Falls:
5014 Highway 212 SW, Montevideo,             320-269-9055      
5:30-7:30
Hosts: Patrick Moore and Butch Halterman, Steve Virnig

New Ulm:
Concordia Lanes and Kegel Klub
416 19th St N, New Ulm,            507-354-2923      
5:30-7:30
Hosts: Scott Sparlin, Jack Lauer
Call Scott at             507-276-2280      
Free Refreshments will be served

Mankato:
Rounders Sports Bar and Grill
414 South Front Street, Mankato, 507-388-776
4:30-7:30
Hosts: Shannon Fisher
RSVP Scott Kudelka at             507-389-2304       or [email protected]

Red Wing
Jimmy's Pub 5th Floor Summit Room St. James Hotel
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Host: Mike McKay and the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance

There's even a location in the Cities for my urban hipster readers who might find it ironic to attend:

Bloomington:
MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center
3815 American Blvd, Minneapolis,             952-854-5900      
5:00-7:30
Hosts: Lori Nelson and Shelly Miller
Call Shelly at             952-881-9055     

Photo: via The Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

Comments

[Phoenix Woman]

Thanks for this, Sally. Cleaning up the Minnesota not only helps that river, it helps the Mississippi as well. The wildlife downstream, not to mention in the Gulf of Mexico, benefit from this.