Citizen Groups working the Minnesota River Basin
Here are some of the grass roots citizen groups working across the basin to improve the Minnesota River.
The Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River (CCMR)
The Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River (CCMR) includes over 40 organizations and hundreds of citizens joining together in river restoration activities. CCMR provides a network to link river supporters together and uses the news media and other means to inform the public about river abuses, negligence and mismanagement that adversely affect water quality. CCMR also works at the state and national level to develop public policy to improve the river, such as lobbying for CREP and supporting the American Rivers Heritage program.
Learn more about CCMR on their website: http://www.customervision.net/ccmr/
Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River CCMR
P.O. Box 488
New Ulm MN 56073
yasure@lycos.com
507-359-2346
Clean Up the River Environment (CURE)
The group Clean Up the River Environment (CURE) focuses attention more specifically on the Upper Minnesota River watershed to help restore and protect its water quality, biological integrity and natural beauty. CURE organizes meetings and workshops to bring those interested together to discuss issues and develop strategies to improve water quality in the river. Recent meetings have included a discussion of home septic systems and how designing and maintaining them properly leads to improved water quality, as well as sponsoring canoe trips for high school students on the Lac qui Parle River as a part of the Education Through Experience program. CURE has received several grants through the McKnight Foundation and the University of Minnesota’s West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership to promote stewardship programs to help improve water quality in the basin.
Learn more about CURE on their website: http://curemnriver.org
CURE-Clean Up the River Environment
114 South 1st Street West
Montevideo MN 56265
320-269-2984 or Toll-Free 877-269-2873
Friends of the Minnesota Valley
Friends of the Minnesota Valley is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the cultural and natural resources of the Lower Minnesota River Watershed. Their founders were concerned citizens from communities along the Minnesota River who organized a grass-roots campaign and lobbied Congress for the creation of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1976. Today, the Friends remain a strong advocate and partner for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, the Friends work collaboratively with new partners in the watershed toward the goal of improving water quality and working with community leaders to enhance significant natural and cultural resources within the Lower Minnesota River Watershed.
As the primary private support group for the Refuge and the Lower Minnesota River Watershed, The Friends' mission is to provide leadership and build partnerships within the Lower Minnesota River Watershed that will:
- Protect, restore and foster respect for natural and cultural resources;
- Improve water quality;
- Advance through education, an understanding of individual connections to the watershed and the role they play in its protection; and
- Guide decisions that impact the Lower Minnesota Valley.
Friends of the Minnesota Valley
9633 Lyndale Avenue South, Suite 200
Bloomington MN 55420-7034
info@friendsofmnvalley.org
612-370-9122
For more information, visit the following websites:
Friends of the Minnesota River Valley
http://www.friendsofmnvalley.org/
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/MinnesotaValley/
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