This project will complete a comprehensive and sustainable Major Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies report for the Chippewa River, its tributary streams, and the many lakes in the Chippewa River watershed that is understandable and adoptable by local units of government and residents.
The nine member Counties and Soil and Water Conservation Districts of the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) will be able to enhance our effectiveness to provide elevated levels of technical assistance, education and outreach in the areas of urban stormwater, wellhead protection, nutrient management, conservation agronomy, drainage and agricultural best management practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution in the Blue Earth, Le Sueur and Watonwan River Watersheds.
Rising temperatures and increased precipitation contribute to decreased oxygen and increased methane in Minnesota lakes and wetlands. We will identify impacts on water quality and methane emissions, providing management guidance.
This project builds partnerships among natural resource professionals, college, middle and high schools to work collaboratively to increase youth exposure to outdoor experiences, environmental issues, and natural resource career paths.
Voyageurs Conservancy will connect 17,000 Minnesotans to the state's only national park through standards-aligned K-12 education, career-building fellowships, and enhanced programs that engage diverse audiences in the park's conservation.
Wilderness Inquiry will expand its work to provide a continuum of outdoor experiences for youth, adults, and families in communities across Minnesota by:
This year we propose to contract with a character named Jacques La Christian, who is portrayed by David Popilek, a French voyageur from the 1800's who will tell stories of the wilderness and provide exhibits of historic Minnesota.
Minnesota bands playing in our entertainment building is one of the biggest draws of our fair--the bands help bring people together and everyone can spend time with their friends, and make new ones. Since we added our teen night, it is growing every year. We started this event because of complaints for the 16+ age group that there was nothing for them. With the four bands we offer, we have a variety of music to cater to a wide audience of people. This year we are also adding a kids event with Making Faces out of Mankato, Minnesota.
We propose to use the Legacy grant funds to hire Homeward Bound Theatre Company's "Alfy's World of Robotic Puppets." These robotic puppets stroll around the fairgrounds and talk to the children about many agriculture-related topics.
We would like to use the Legacy grant to help fund Minnesota bands in our entertainment building. This year we are looking at a "rock" band for Friday night, which will attract the younger crowd to the fair. On Sunday we highlight Senior Citizens, Farm Family Recognition and have a musician that plays old country and gospel music. For the younger youth on the fairgrounds we have free face painting on the grounds Saturday.
