Minnesota Waters Conference Now the “State of Water Conference,” and it Returns This May
A coalition of non-profits and state agencies are resurrecting the Minnesota Waters Conference that has been a pillar of the Minnesota natural resources community since 2001. Now called the State of Water Conference, the program will bring together citizens’ groups, local and state government, non-profits, and community members to discuss the most pressing issues facing our state’s most important resource – water. The event will run May 1 – 2, 2014 at Cragun’s Resort.
The planning coalition includes organizations that have collaborated on the conference in the past, and have since been at the forefront of water protection and education in Minnesota: the Freshwater Society, Conservation Minnesota, U of M Extension, Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership, MPCA, and DNR. Author and limnologist Darby Nelson, MPCA Commissioner Stine, DNR Asst. Commissioner Naramore, and BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke will speak at the event.
Last fall, they sent a survey out to a group of Minnesotans asking which issues and what themes they would like to see at the upcoming conference. After reviewing all of the detailed responses, we identified five key areas to focus our attention. These five areas include Aquatic Invasive Species, Restoration of Aquatic Habitat, Watersheds, Citizen Group Capacity-Building, and Groundwater & Nutrient Run-off. The conference will include four workshops and thirty-five breakout sessions dedicated to our five themes.
Your attendance is the final piece in ensuring that all ideas are shared and implemented! We hope you can join!
Register by April 18. Registration includes all meals, as well as the Exhibitor’s Reception on the evening of May 1.
To learn more and to register for the conference, visit http://www.conservationminnesota.org/state-of-water-conference/
