The spring watershed networking and learning meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 21 at the Redwood Falls Pizza Ranch, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. We welcome your ideas for program topics. All organizations are welcome to bring copies of any new publications or other materials for a display table.

The program so far includes:

• "Quantifying hydrologic impacts of drainage under corn production systems," – Jeff Strock, U of M research station, Lamberton
• "Fields to Streams-managing water in rural landscapes" – Ann Lewandowski, U of M Extension.
• Minnesota River updates: Congress, proposed legislation, TMDL status.

Any program updates will be announced later. This will be the 14th event since starting in 2009. Information about previous meetings is located on the watershed network web page: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/watershed-professionals-network. The Pizza Ranch lunch buffet is $9.99. Further details will be sent closer to the date. Hope you can make it April 21.

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The sixth Minnesota River Congress March 10 in New Ulm drew 78 people representing a wide variety of organizations devoted to the economic, natural, and social vitality of the Minnesota River basin. (Dana Melius-St. Peter Herald photo: Amy Lynch of rural Mapleton holds 16-month-old son, Stetson, at the Congress) 

They heard interesting presentations about the river's fish population, and agricultural drainage management research, elected additional board members, and engaged in small group discussion in specific interest areas. 

Anthony Sindt, a Minnesota River fisheries specialist with DNR, gave a presentation on the fish populations in the Minnesota River. Brian Hicks from rural Tracy gave a presentation on innovative agricultural drainage management research at his farm.

Openings still remain on the Action Board for two Native Americans, Dept. of Transportation, Minnesota River Headwaters, Cottonwood and Pomme de Terre watersheds. New applicants will be considered for those categories at the annual meeting in November. Congress participants were then urged to distribute the Interest Network Survey to as many people as possible and to use their contacts and any other means to get them to potential interested people. The full meeting summary is available on the web at: www.watershedalliance.blogspot.com/

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Six Minnesota communities have been selected by the Minnesota Humanities Center to host to Water/Ways, a new traveling exhibition and community engagement tool from the Smithsonian.

Minnesota is one of only five states chosen by the Smithsonian to launch this new traveling exhibit. The Minnesota tour includes visits to:

• Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (New London-Spicer), June 25 – Aug. 7, 2016
• Nicollet County Historical Society (St. Peter),  Aug. 13 – Sept. 25, 2016
• Goodhue County Historical Society (Red Wing), Oct. 1 – Nov. 13, 2016
• Audubon Center of the North Woods (Sandstone), Nov. 19, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017
• Lanesboro Arts (Lanesboro),  Jan. 7 – Feb. 19, 2017
• Becker County Historical Society (Detroit Lakes), Feb. 25 – Apr. 9, 2017

Water/Ways reveals the central nature of water in our lives by exploring how Americans use water, how water unites communities, how water affects every element of life, and how Americans care for our water and protect this valuable resource for the future. More.

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The following is an abbreviated version of a comment submitted to the govenor's water summit by Don Reicosky, retired soil scientist at the ARS lab in Morris. Photo: Don speaking at the Chippewa River Watershed Project 2014 annual meeting.

Conservation agriculture evolved in North America following the devastating erosion and social upheavals of the 1930s 'dust bowls'. It started with simple, local innovations to mitigate soil erosion, progressed through various stages of improved soil management to no-tillage systems, then to conservation tillage systems, resulting finally in the more comprehensive systems.

Conservation Agriculture is based on three key pillars: (1) continuous residue cover on the soil surface; (2) continuous minimum soil disturbance (no-tillage); and (3) diverse crop rotations and cover crop mixes. While these three main principles are general in their application, specific differences in each principle need to be defined clearly to avoid confusion in communication and use of terms.

The no-till system employed in Conservation Agriculture is not to be confused with other forms of “conservation tillage” that substantially disturb the soil surface. The success of the Conservation Agriculture system concepts rely on and benefit from the interactive synergies between the biological, physical, and chemical properties and processes in the soil that enhance Conservation Agriculture management. Conservation Agriculture resources-Cornell University

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Paddle river in a day still needs sponsors

The DNR is still looking for groups organize paddles in sections of the 'paddle the Minnesota River water trail in a day' event Saturday, June 11. The goal is to recruit as many paddlers as possible to cover every navigable mile of the 318 miles from the headwaters of Big Stone Lake near Ortonville to the confluence with the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling.

You can paddle alone, with your own group, or with an organized group. Information about organized groups, locations, and other details are available on the web page, or by contacting Alex Watson, alexander.watson@state.mn.us, 507-359-6062. By participating you can also chalk up miles for the DNR's "125 miles by bike, boot, or boat" challenge, celebrating 125 years of Minnesota state parks and trails.

Schottler on program at Chippewa annual meeting April 7

Dr. Shawn Schottler, of the St. Croix Watershed Research Station, will be the featured speaker at the Chippewa River Watershed Project (CRWP) annual meeting on Thursday, April 7, at the Starbuck Community Center. The evening begins with registration and social gathering at 5 p.m., meal at 6 p.m. and program at 7 p.m. The program will feature Dr. Schottler's presentation "Water Quality and Habitat Trends: Does the future reflect the past?" and a panel of Chippewa River Watershed farmers. 

A panel of Chippewa River Watershed farmers who have been making operational and landscape changes will share their experiences and perspectives on how their choices are both profitable and more conducive to achieving water quality goals.

Everyone is invited. Meals are free with pre-registration.  Reservations are requested by Tuesday, April 5.  Call 320-269-2139 x120 or email jennifer.hoffman@chippewariver.org to register.  

CURE annual meeting April 23 in Morris

The 24th annual meeting of Clean Up the River Environment will be Saturday, April 23 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris. The business meeting will start promptly at 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. After lunch, a roundtable discussion will begin. Doors open at 10 a.m. This year's annual meeting is scaled back due to work with multiple campaigns, and for saving resources to celebrate CURE's 25th anniversary next year. 

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