We’re working hard to protect our watershed.
In 1998, 17 volunteers began monitoring the health of 22 streams sites in southeast Minnesota. Today, more than 400 volunteers monitor 500 stream sites across the state as part of the Citizen Stream Monitoring program. The data is indispensable to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Volunteers adopt a stream site, use a simple tool called…
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Since 2013, The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong and the United Native Friendship Center have partnered to form the Stewardship Youth Ranger (SYR) -Ogimaa Binesiiyog Shared Youth Program. Originated out of Fort Frances, ON, the Ogimaa Binesiiyog SYR Partnership Program now includes the Kenora district. In past years, the teams…
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Saturday, June 24, 2017 was wet and rainy but 32 people from Cook County ventured out to learn about frogs. An amphibian expert taught the group about frog calls, frog identification, learning why frogs are declining in numbers and learning how frogs can be indicators of water quality. Following inside activities, the group ventured outside…
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Keep It Clean was created to protect, maintain and promote cleanliness for the beautiful landscape, water resources and shorelines of Lake of the Woods as a special place for everyone to visit and enjoy. This campaign began in 2012 at the south end of Lake of the Woods in Minnesota as a public awareness and…
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The International Watershed Coordination Program (IWCP) provides bi-national coordination and communication of research, management and citizen engagement for the shared waters of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed. The program links groups working on watershed activities at local, regional and binational scales : Local: individuals, groups and agencies engaged in watershed activities throughout the binational…
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Lake Associations are the heart of stewardship! Our watershed benefits from having over 40 within its boundaries, teeming with citizen scientists and lake lovers who are passionate about the health of the ecosystem – see if there is one near you! Each lake association has a unique focus and membership, but many have a common…
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Hundreds of people like you who care about water quality in their own backyards are volunteering their time to collect water quality data across Ontario, many right here in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed. If you would like to be one of them, read on! The Lake Partner Program is Ontario’s volunteer-based, water-quality monitoring…
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Minnesotans care about water – citizens from around the state monitor water clarity in streams and lakes and it is really easy to do! Get to know some of the volunteers near you who take samples and find out how to get involved. Minnesota’s Citizen Lake Monitoring Program (CLMP) and Citizen Stream Monitoring Program (CSMP)…
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Did you ever see the log jams on the Rat Root River? These jams have caused streambank erosion and deterioration of fish spawning habitat, not to mention loss of navigation – find out how a continued partnership of local agencies hugely improved this situation. The Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club (RLSC), assisted by local Minnesota Dept….
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