2009-04-23_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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"`"hile lakes, large and small, sustain our water resources, creating Mississippi River, to ground water that ~ across Minnesota are frozen long-lasting partnerships and collabora- flows directly from springs in the south- and loons are still enjoying tion among water resource organiza- eastern part of the state. their winter holiday .feeding on fish in tions and communities in on-going The Year of Water will also highlight the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, it is stewardship activities, and celebrating successful initiatives in water resource hard to imagine jumping off a dock into water as a valuable natural resource that protection and how citizens and com- a lake or canoeing the Boundary Waters. is essential to life. munity groups as well as businesses and But there are people who know how The scope of the Year of Water is schools can get involved. to enjoy our water resources in winter, broad and will serve to educate Min- We hope you will get involved in whether it is pulling a walleye out of a nesotans statewide about stewardship your household or community to .pro- hole in the ice or cross-country skiing activities for healthy water resources tect, conserve, and celebrate our amaz- across afrozen lake. now and for generations to come. The ing lakes, streams, and drinking water. Turning on the tap for aclean glass of year will also serve to form greater part- Far more about the Freshwater Society water is another part of the water story. nerships between individuals and orga- and the Year of Water go to www. But what will the condition of our lakes. nizations that are working to protect freshwater.org. Share your stories about be when the loons return looking for and conserve our water resources. your favorite lake, river, pond, bog, places to build nests? What will the fish- The Year of Water will celebrate our and about what you are already doing ery be like two generations from now, diverse water resources in the state from to care for our'water resources on the and what will happen when 1 million gleaming northern lakes, to 'the bub- -Freshwater Society blog at www.fresh- more Minnesotans turn on their taps in bling headwaters of the watersocietyblog..,rg; 2030? Last year, the Freshwater Society con- vened an eight-member Guardianship Council to explore Minnesota's critical water issues. This group decided that the Society could make a big difference by dedicating a whole year to recogniz- ing the importance of water in .our lives and discovering ways to protect this precious resource. Thus, the idea for the 2010 Year of Water was born. Jack Pichotta, founder of Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and a career environmental educator, describes why the Council decided on a dedicated year of water:. "It's. not uncommon for Minnesota to dedicate a day or event in recognition of conditions or individuals that have positively influ- enced quality of life outcomes. Making 2010 Minnesota's Year of Water will elevate awareness and concern to a level that should then become a standard. Water is essential not only to our quality of life, but to life itself. .It's pretty simple: Without water there is no life. Everyone should care." The Year of Water will make a splash by raising the awareness of citizens about water resource issues, inspiring behavior changes that will protect and FACETS March 2009