Le Sueur River Watershed Celebration

The Le Sueur River Watershed Network is sponsoring a family friendly celebration for the Le Sueur River on September 24th, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Jack McGowan’s Farm near Mankato, MN. The public is invited to this free event to learn about the river, what citizens can do to improve its water quality, and to share a meal with watershed neighbors.

Event organizers and citizen volunteers are planning to offer free Le Sueur River Watershed raised pork sandwiches, old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream, live music and bonfire along the banks of the Le Sueur River. Participants are asked to bring a side dish to share. Children and families are welcome. The schedule of events includes a scavenger hunt and hands on learning about the fish, mussels, and macroinvertebrates living in the river from MN DNR and other local agency experts.

River music and sing alongs will be led by Scott Sparlin and Patrick Moore of the Minnesota River Watershed Alliance  and participants are encouraged to bring their instruments for a jam session. A new video by Queenan Productions will also be shown that documents how watershed residents and local staff are making a difference across the watershed. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet conservation partners from across the watershed and learn more about efforts in a fun, informal setting.

Since April of 2012, citizens have been meeting to discuss ways to improve the water quality of the Le Sueur River Watershed. This 711,838 acre watershed in Blue Earth, Waseca, Steele, Le Sueur, Faribault and Freeborn counties is a major contributor of sediment and nutrients to the Minnesota River. The event is a celebration for the network of citizens who have been meeting and talking and developing strategies to solve problems and reduce pollution in the watershed.   A list of seven first steps that can be taken to improve water quality in the river will be distributed at the event.  The list was developed by a focus group of farmers, recreational users, homeowners and agencies over the past year.

The event is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about the watershed or the emerging citizen’s group. For more information about what local landowners in cooperation with local government and state agencies are doing, visit the Le Sueur River Watershed Network website: www.lesueurriver.org  .