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In February 2023, LWV UMRR hosted Tracy Hodel, St. Cloud Public Works Director, talking about how St Cloud, Minnesota, is turning wastewater to energy and fertilizer and making their city more sustainable. Now, their electrolyzer is about to come on line, and St. Cloud will have the first wastewater treatment plant in the world to produce green hydrogen and use the byproducts of oxygen and heat waste Hodel's talk is posted on the LWV UMRR Blog at this link.  “I feel like energy is the sexy part of it, right? Nobody wants to talk about the solids part, but it is converting something that people think of as a waste product into something very, very valuable.” This article, from the Minneapolis Star Tribune on October 6, highlights St. Cloud's accomplishments!
What's the big idea The mission of St. Cloud’s wastewater treatment plan is simple: clean the water flowing in from toilets before it is released into the Mississippi River. But why stop there? After dreaming up — and finding the funding for — a few special projects, the city is now at the forefront of wastewater ingenuity. It is using waste to make fertilizer for farmers. It is using power harnessed from the breakdown of local manufacturers’ wastewater to create 100% renewable energy to power the treatment facility. And when the city’s new $3 million electrolyzer — a device that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen — is installed in the coming months, St. Cloud will have the first wastewater treatment plant in the world to produce green hydrogen and use the byproducts of oxygen and heat waste. What makes it uniquely Midwestern The innovation is built on lofty goals and cutting-edge science, and yet it’s practical and understated. The city’s science fiction-y projects started as a way to become more efficient and save operating costs by purchasing energy from solar gardens and installing solar panels on city buildings. The city then built its own small solar array at the wastewater treatment campus in 2016. With each successful innovation, leaders dreamt up more ambitious ideas. About a decade ago, former Mayor Dave Kleis set a goal for the city to be 75% renewable by 2035. It exceeded that goal by becoming 100% renewable in 2020, and today, the city produces three times as much energy as it uses. Its energy initiatives save between $1 million and $2 million each year from the city’s budget. The city sells its solid fertilizer product and gives its liquid fertilizer to area farmers for free. Meanwhile, the waste-to-energy program produces heat and power for the facility at a substantial savings. The plant is able to produce energy for about 3 cents per kilowatt-hour, while typical energy customers pay an average 14 cents. St. Cloud City Administrator Tracy Hodel calls it “poop to power.” She’s made stickers with the phrase to get the word out. “I feel like energy is the sexy part of it, right? Nobody wants to talk about the solids part,” she said. “But it is converting something that people think of as a waste product into something very, very valuable.” How it will shape the future City leaders hope the wastewater plant will be a model for other municipalities. St. Cloud’s new 1-megawatt solar array will guarantee 100% green hydrogen, which can be used at the facility for heating and on-site renewable energy production, and will be sold for transportation and manufacturing. The plant will also use the oxygen byproduct in its existing treatment process in which microorganisms break down waste. And they’ll capture the heat from the electrolysis process, which could potentially put the facility in a position where it no longer needs to use natural gas for heating. “Everything we’re doing is enhancing the receiving waters, the agricultural industry, the air with the carbon dioxide emission reductions,” Hodel said. “So we’re creating a cleaner, healthier world for our future.” — Jenny Berg https://www.startribune.com/from-ai-to-thc-these-midwest-ideas-will-change-the-future/601479532?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=st_cloud_today&utm_term=St%20Cloud
Exploring Environmental Challenges, Legal Strategies, and the Quest for a Constitutional Right to Clean Water
Jim Larew’s talk centers on the urgent need to protect clean water in the face of escalating environmental hazards caused by industrial agriculture. He introduces the subject by acknowledging past cooperative approaches between government agencies and communities but asserts that these have failed to adequately address the severe pollution and health risks, especially in Iowa. Larew positions the issue as not just theoretical but as a pressing public health crisis, framing the conversation in terms of both environmental protection and civil rights. Industrial Agriculture’s Impact Larew outlines how industrial farming in Iowa operates with minimal legal restrictions compared to other sectors, such as transportation. He explains that the dominance of large-scale row crop farming (corn and beans) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) has resulted in an unprecedented saturation of the soil and groundwater with nitrogen, phosphorus, and manure. The scale of pollution is staggering, equating Iowa’s livestock waste output to that of a country with a population density similar to Bangladesh. Unlike human waste, which is processed, animal waste is simply spread on fields, further exacerbating water contamination. He highlights alarming cancer statistics linked to environmental pollution: Iowa ranks second in the nation for cancer rates, with an increasing trend—most notably among young adults in the Corn Belt. These rising cancer incidences, documented by sources like the Washington Post, are attributed to the toxic agricultural mix and excessive use of fertilizers and manure, which leach into water supplies. The Market and Policy Drivers Larew discusses how federal agricultural policies and market incentives—such as those for ethanol production—encourage the overuse of fertilizers and expansion of livestock operations. He points out that farm programs remove economic risks for farmers, essentially incentivizing environmentally destructive practices. Much of the agricultural output is exported or used in fuel production, but the environmental residue remains local, worsening water quality and public health. Legal Strategy and Civic Engagement Recognizing the limitations of voluntary change, Larew advocates for legal intervention. He describes efforts to define a constitutional right to clean air and water, emphasizing the need for extra protections and state responsibility through the public trust doctrine. Litigation has played a key role, with lawsuits filed under the Federal Clean Water Act and challenges to state-issued water use permits that fail to consider environmental impacts. He recounts successful civic engagement in Northeast Iowa, where community culture still values clean water. Local polling reveals near-unanimous support for government action to protect environmental resources, transcending political divides. The Case for a New Civil Rights Movement Larew frames the struggle for clean water as the next phase in America’s civil rights journey. Drawing parallels to historical movements prompted by social violence, he characterizes the current crisis as “environmental violence”—with children suffering in hospital wards due to pollution-induced diseases. He calls for a constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to clean water, citing existing state-level precedents and the urgent need for federal recognition. Conclusion: The Path Forward Larew concludes by reiterating the scale and urgency of the battle ahead. He argues that the right to clean water is fundamental to life and must be protected against the interests of powerful agricultural syndicates and corporate entities. The movement in Iowa, he suggests, could serve as a model for nationwide efforts to enshrine environmental rights and hold polluters accountable through law, advocacy, and civic mobilization. Ultimately, he calls for persistent, step-by-step action to secure a healthier future for all. The LWV UMRR Blog is our main communication tool - we use this as our basis for newsletter articles, to share our educational programs and to save research and other bits of work that we do. We are responsible for the content here and reserve the right to edit your pieces for length, clarity or other factors. First, take a few minutes and browse through the posts we have up now. Click here for the LWV UMRR blog. The length is up to you, but the fact of the matter is that nobody will read a long post. Well, maybe you and your mom. But short and pithy is better. Like Jack Webb says, Just the Facts, M'am.
You don't have to do the posting - I'll take care of that. Just get me the text, references, links and pictures and I'll take it from there. - Gretchen Sabel
On October 28, LWV UMRR hosted a discussion on the protection of public waters through education, restorative action and litigation. The video of this program follows. In this video, you will learn how the Upper Mississippi River Driftless Area was formed (not by glaciers!) and how this unique landform is susceptible to pollution from CAFOs and modern row crop practices that threaten our public waters. And learn, too, about new efforts underway to bring about change. This program is both educational and inspirational! This video features Cameron Aker from Trout Unlimited talking about water protection in the Karst region through education and cooperative projects, and Jim Larew from Driftless Water Defenders talking about the litigation they are doing to put more teeth into protecting water. Jim Larew's talk starts at about 31 minutes in the video, and a summary is available on the LWV UMRR blog at this link. Trout Unlimited is a conservation group working with land owners to restore trout habitat. Their Driftless Area Restoration Effort (TUDARE) focuses on restoring trout streams with an added side benefit of improving water quality and diversity of other creatures besides trout. They do this by working with private landowners, farmers, conservation advocates and government agencies to restore and conserve our cold-water resources. Cameron Aker, Trout Unlimited's Engagement Coordinator, will talk about the geology, agricultural practices and cold-water resources in the Driftless Region and similar karst landscapes in Missouri. Like the Driftless Area, Missouri's Ozark region is characterized by thin topsoil and exhibits sinkholes, streams that sink into the ground and extensive caves. Jim Larew is with Driftless Water Defenders, a group that started in Iowa and and is shaking up the water world there. Driftless Water Defenders is a non-profit Iowa environmental law and advocacy organization founded in May 2024 and focused on reducing farm-related water pollution and pollution-caused threats to public health in the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa, and statewide. The DWD got started because some Iowans decided enough is enough, and it’s time to confront head-on industrialized agriculture’s assault on our water resources. Driftless Water Defenders is intent on changing public policy, engaging citizens and, when necessary, litigating matters to protect and enhance Iowans’ access to clean water for personal, business and recreational purposes. Driftless Water Defenders manages a comprehensive program of focused litigation, persistent public engagement, and effective fund-raising to accomplish its mission.
Cameron Aker, Engagement Coordinator, Trout Unlimited Driftless Area Restoration
conservation focused groups, including Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association. Cameron and his wife Vivian live in Ames, Iowa. They enjoy hiking, canoeing, camping, and many trips to the beautiful Driftless Region of Iowa together. Cameron also enjoys hunting, fly fishing, and fly tying, whenever possible. Cameron started with Trout Unlimited in mid-April of 2024 and is connecting Trout Unlimited with many partner groups and visiting potential project sites with landowners. Cameron has also been working with the Iowa Trout Unlimited Chapters to build momentum with the Wise H2O project on water quality and listening to concerns and ideas around member engagement. Cameron was a guest on the Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast - click here to listen in and learn about his work! Cameron's talk starts at about 39 minutes. James Larew, Esq. - Registered agent for Driftless Water Defenders and Attorney at law
From 2007-2011, Jim was called to serve as General Counsel to Iowa Governor Chet Culver, and also served as Policy Director and Chief of Staff in the Office of Governor.
Upon his return to private practice, Jim expanded his general law practice in Iowa City to include an office in Des Moines. He broadened the focus of his law practice to include advocating for the interest of Iowa policy holders against insurance companies who acted in bad faith; against environmental polluters; and against owners of nursing homes and care facilities who injured residents through indifference or neglect. Central Iowa Water Report yields public outcry - and EPA answers by delisting polluted rivers8/10/2025
Story and video from Iowa Environmental Council, August 2025
In addition to the presentation, Adam Shriver from the Harkin Institute was interviewed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to discuss the implications of the CISWRA report, "In Iowa, there's this big elephant in the room, which is that we're the number one leading state in confined animal feeding operations for hogs and for battery cage chickens." Shriver continues, "And also that we're the state that applies the most amount of synthetic fertilizers and chemical fertilizers." Stay tuned to the Harkin Institute and IEC, who are planning more ways for people to stay involved in this conversation moving forward.
What is the Impaired Waters List?
Under the Clean Water Act, every state must adopt water quality standards that define how it would like to use its waters and the pollution levels that would prevent those uses. When a water does not meet the standards and is too dirty for one of its intended uses, it is “impaired.” Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to submit a list to EPA once every two years identifying impaired waters that need a plan to reduce pollution. EPA must approve or disapprove the list. Iowa DNR submitted its list in 2024 with 705 impairments. States must develop a water improvement plan for each waterbody on the impaired waters list and submit them for EPA approval. The plans must identify sources of pollution and the amount of pollution reduction needed to meet the water quality standard and protect the designated uses. The reductions are incorporated into permits for point sources, such as wastewater treatment facilities, but are not required for nonpoint sources, such as agriculture. "Efforts to de-list Iowa waterbodies for nitrate are clearly misguided. This action undermines the public process and the public trust in the agencies charged with keeping our water clean. The public already had opportunity to comment and overwhelmingly supported the listing that reflected real-life conditions in these rivers,” says Michael Schmidt, IEC General Counsel. MARY ELLEN - I WILL TAKE OUT THIS PARAGRAPH AND REPLACE IT WITH A QUOTE FROM YOU, SHOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PROVIDE ONE. IT WOULD GO INTO A PARAGRAPH SOMETHING LIKE FOLLOWS.... What does this mean for these delisted rivers ? LWV UMRR Chair, Mary Ellen Miller, says...>>>>>>>>>>
 Credit: G.Sabel, Oct 7, 2020, when the river level was low and you could walk on the river bottom The Project: The Upper Lock and the land around it is currently owned by the federal government via the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Upper Lock was constructed in 1959 to allow commercial barges to navigate over the Falls, upriver to Upper Harbor Terminal. The Lock closed to commercial navigation in 2015 to halt the upriver spread of invasive carp. For more than 60 years, this iconic site on Minneapolis’s Central Riverfront has been fenced off with limited public access. The site is a barrier, not a gateway, to the River. The vision for Owámniyomni is to transform five acres at the Upper Lock into a place of healing, restoration, education, and connection. The river will be made accessible to people from its bank, so all people can touch the water without impediment, and the area along the riverbanks will be transformed from hardscapes to tall grass prairie, lowland forest, oak savannah, and traditional plants. The project is now in Season Two, with work projected to be complete in this part of the transformation by the end of 2027. The Goal: Owámniyomni Okhódayapi's goal is to create a place where Native and non-Native people feel welcome; where Dakota history, language, and culture are visible and celebrated; and where communities can come together to heal. Done right, this process can provide a model for how non-profits, municipalities, and other entities can respectfully partner with Tribal Nations and honor their inherent sovereignty.
The Mississippi is a river and is ever changing as flood and drought shape the river and it's relationship to the land along it's banks. Owámniyomni Okhódayapi's website shows pictures of the river as it was when Europeans first arrived in what is now called Minneapolis, and how the area changed over the years to meet the demands of the growing industry there. Dams were built and rebuilt, with tunnels and raceways to harness the power of the river to run lumber and grain mills. To Native people, these activities were a desecration, incompatible with a world view in which the River is a spirit and a mother, and in which all living natural things are our relatives. The project being undertaken here will bring back Dakota values to this area and begin the process of healing.
How LWV members can help to support the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement6/5/2025
 What is the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement? A Mississippi River Compact would be a legal agreement between all ten mainstem Mississippi River states and the Federal Government. If enacted, a Compact could provide a forum for management over the entire watershed comprehensively using the sovereign powers of both state and federal governments. Getting to a Mississippi River Compact is an epic endeavor, requiring the legislatures of all states to pass identical language adopting the Compact, and the US Congress to approve it. But are there steps that can be taken now to advance this cause? One step that’s being advanced is the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement. This agreement will strengthen collaboration among communities in the watershed by building a unique foundation for collective action and collaboration dedicated to the Mississippi River led from the local level. This agreement builds toward an interstate water compact by showcasing the extraordinary work that local governments and Tribes are already doing to protect the river. The work is being led by Alexandra Campbell-Ferrara, co-founder of the Center for Water Security and Cooperation, a non-partisan, non-profit environmental organization specializing in water policy and law based in Washington DC. Why do this? 1. Local and Tribal leaders who sign the Agreement will be able to participate in "the Roundtable" and develop shared values and principles for the Mississippi River watershed, which will inform the development of local, state, watershed, federal laws and policies. 2. Local and Tribal leaders who sign the Agreement will be eligible to win the Local Leader of the Year Award as well as to apply for small community grants as funding is available, and 3. Local and Tribal leaders who join will be joining a "Network" with whom to collaborate and problem-solve with opportunities for peer-exchanges and other experiences.
For more information, visit the Center for Water Security and Cooperation webpage on Agreement (includes text of agreement, FAQ, sign up links and more): https://thecwsc.org/mississippiriver/ Additional Resources: LWV UMRR program on possibility of a Mississippi River Compact: https://www.lwvumrr.org/blog/exploring-the-idea-of-a-mississippi-river-compact  Series graphic: Michael Crowe (Ag & Water Desk) with images by Jeff Wheeler and Anthony Soufflé (Minnesota Star Tribune)Wetlands are places where land and water meet. Throughout the Mississippi River watershed, wetlands store floodwater, improve drinking water quality and serve as homes for millions of birds and other animals. But this special ecosystem is facing growing threats from development, pollution, climate change, and recent court rulings that leave them vulnerable to destruction.
Against this backdrop, the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, a journalism collaborative based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in partnership with Report for America, is proud to announce a landmark reporting project exploring the wonder of and threats to these landscapes, “Down the Drain: A watershed moment for America’s greatest wetlands.” The eight-part series transports audiences from the vanishing coast of Louisiana to productive hunting lakes in Minnesota. It introduces diverse voices and life experiences, including Tennessee cattle farmers, wetland scientists, and homeowners in historically flood-prone areas of Mississippi. This collaborative project involved Desk reporters and editors in 12 states. Helmed by Desk editorial director Tegan Wendland, Minnesota Star Tribune environment editor James Eli Shiffer and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Madeline Heim, it is distinctive in the scope, depth and breadth with which it explores often-overlooked wetlands. “America’s wetlands represent diverse ecosystems, but they are often misunderstood and under-appreciated,” said Wendland. “Most of them are already gone, and the few that remain face increasing threats. At the Desk, we’re uniquely positioned to tell this story from headwaters to delta, and our reporters all across the Basin helped make this project a success through their commitment to storytelling.” This reporting arrives at an important political moment. Last year, the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA significantly limited the agency’s power to regulate wetlands, resulting in more than half the nation’s wetlands potentially losing federal protections. A March 2024 report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted an approximate 50% increase in wetland loss from 2009 to 2019 compared to the previous decade. Further, President Trump’s EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced the government will roll back federal protections on wetlands. “By bringing together newsrooms in multiple states, we can tell this story on the ground with precision and accuracy. At a time when our country is making huge changes to environmental policy, it’s important for people to understand the implications of decisions that affect them where they live,” said Sara Shipley Hiles, executive director of the Desk. In this project, the Desk explores how these many legal and policy changes affect wetlands in the basin and what it will mean for the health of the river and the people and wildlife that rely on it. The Mississippi is the nation’s largest watershed, home to 70 million Americans in 31 states. “Down the Drain” published April 14, 2025, following months of field reporting and research that took reporters into wetlands all across the river basin. Shiffer and Heim flew to Louisiana to join our Mississippi and Louisiana reporters in the field, conducting interviews and taking photos. “Through this project, I learned so much about these wondrous places, which have been abused and feared, yet they have been so good to us,” Shiffer said. “We’re grateful for this collaboration, which allows local outlets like the Minnesota Star Tribune to share our expertise and reach new audiences through the Desk’s network.” Stories in the series include: Part 1: A new era dawns for America’s disappearing wetlands as feds retreat from oversight by Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Part 2: For sport or food, love of birds is saving grace for America’s wetlands by Greg Stanley, Minnesota Star Tribune Part 3: Delta duck hunting offers conservation solutions, but the ducks are disappearing by Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and Phillip Powell, Arkansas Times Part 4: Wetlands protections built an industry for mitigation banking. Rollbacks could erode it. by Cassandra Stephenson, Tennessee Lookout, and Delaney Dryfoos, The Lens NOLA Part 5: “A living laboratory”: How an accidental delta taught Louisiana scientists how to rebuild wetlands by Elise Plunk, Louisiana Illuminator, and Eva Tesfaye, WWNO Part 6: Framing wetlands as a flooding solution won bipartisan support in Wisconsin. Could it work elsewhere? by Madeline Heim and Caitlin Looby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Part 7: A Mississippi flood relief project could harm 90,000 acres of valuable wetlands. Is it worth the tradeoff? by Illan Ireland, Mississippi Free Press Part 8: One Iowa landowner fights to farm a designated wetland. Others could face consequences downstream by Jared Strong, The Gazette; Jess Savage, WNIJ and Illan Ireland, Mississippi Free Press Ongoing coverage: Public gives input on how to define — and regulate — nation’s waters and wetlands by Jess Savage, WNIJ Beyond the reporting, the series also features a state-by-state local guide to visiting public wetlands by Dean Klinkenberg, author of “The Wild Mississippi: A State-by-State Guide to the River’s Natural Wonders.” Further, an innovative, interactive data visualization blends historical imagery, cultural context and cartography, inviting readers to explore a brief history of our relationship with wetlands throughout the Mississippi River Basin. All pieces are free to republish by news outlets. Interested news outlets are welcome to sign up to receive access to these and other stories. Members of the public can receive a weekly newsletter with our latest stories. Credits for the package include: Reporting by Madeline Heim (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Greg Stanley (Minnesota Star Tribune), Lucas Dufalla (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette), Phillip Powell (Arkansas Times), Cassandra Stephenson (Tennessee Lookout), Delaney Dryfoos (The Lens NOLA), Elise Plunk (Louisiana Illuminator), Eva Tesfaye (WWNO/WRKF), Caitlin Looby (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Illan Ireland (Mississippi Free Press), Jared Strong (The Gazette), Jess Savage (WNIJ Northern Public Radio). Additional content by author Dean Klinkenberg. Editing by Tegan Wendland (Ag & Water Desk) and James Eli Shiffer (Minnesota Star Tribune). Additional editing by Sara Shipley Hiles, Irina Zhorov and Michael Crowe (Ag & Water Desk) Data visualization by James Eli Shiffer (Minnesota Star Tribune), Jared Whalen (Ag & Water Desk), C.J. Sinner (Minnesota Star Tribune), Jake Steinberg (Minnesota Star Tribune), Bryan Brussee (Minnesota Star Tribune), and Tegan Wendland. Series graphic: Michael Crowe (Ag & Water Desk) with images by Jeff Wheeler and Anthony Soufflé (Minnesota Star Tribune) Audience engagement by Michael Crowe and Britny Cordera (Ag & Water Desk) About the Mississippi Ag & Water Desk The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is an independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, in partnership with Report For America and the Society of Environmental Journalists, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The mission of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is to enhance the quantity, quality and impact of journalism on agriculture, water and related issues throughout the nation’s largest watershed. Funding Disclosure The Ag & Water Desk receives major funding from the Walton Family Foundation. We operate with full editorial independence, and we note when our sources also receive Walton funding. Following is a list of sources in “Down the Drain” that also receive funding from Walton: Environmental Defense Fund, Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law & Policy, Tulane University, Ducks Unlimited, National Audubon Society, Harvard College, Liberty Justice Center, National Wildlife Federation. On June 3, LWV UMRR welcomed Sonja Trom Eayrs to talk about her book, "Dodge County, Incorporated: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America." Ms. Trom Eayrs was the guest speaker at the LWV UMRR Annual Meeting on June 3. We had a lively discussion; the video of that talk follows in this post. Many thanks to Sonja for speaking at this meeting!
the years that ultimately gave rise to the disembodied corporate control of today’s food system. Trom Eayrs argues that far from being an essential or inextricable part of American life, corporatism can and should be fought and curbed, not only for the sake of land, labor, and water but for democracy itself. Here is the video from June 3, on the left. Here, Ms Trom Eayrs had problems with her slides and not all the pictures appeared. The video on the right is from a presentation made for Farm Aid on March 31, 2025, and has all the pictures included.
In her talk, Sonja discussed other organizations that are active in this area. Here's that list of organizations: Dakota Resource Council Farm Aid Farm Action Food and Water Watch - Be sure and check out the most recent edition of Factory Farm Nation: 2024 Edition GROWW - GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture JFAN - Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Missouri Rural Crisis Center SRAP - Socially Responsible Agriculture Project As a reminder, Farm Aid will occur in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 20, 2025. OpEd piece of interest. https://www.startribune.com/opinion-big-ags-corporate-culture-of-indifference-has-been-years-in-the-making/601359545?utm_source=gift  Sonja Trom Eayrs is a farmer’s daughter, rural advocate, and attorney. She is involved in several rural advocacy organizations, including the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, Farm Action, Land Stewardship Project, and Dodge County Concerned Citizens. Trom Eayrs also serves as the business manager for the Trom family farm in Dodge County, Minnesota. For more information about the author, visit sonjatromeayrs.com. Dodge County, Incorporated, is available for purchase at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other bookstores. Readers are urged to post a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads  One of the strengths of the LWV UMRR Action Committee is that our members are active with many other environmental organizations and causes as well. We bring this activism to UMRR, where we work to learn and coordinate our actions with other like-minded, non-partisan organizations. Susan Johnson from LWV Janesville (Wisconsin) is an example of such an involved person. Susan is a member of the LWV UMRR Action Committee, and a Board member of the Green-Rock Audubon Society. She brings her passion, knowledge and love of the outdoors to both these roles, strengthening both organizations.
How did Susan get involved with the Green-Rock Audubon Society? As a member of the Green-Rock Audubon Society Board for the past seven years, I've worked passionately on advocacy to promote prairie and wetlands restoration, and conservation locally and across the state. From the time my dad first taught us how to fish, and took us camping to our state and national parks, I have loved being in wilder places. I’m still a hiker, biker, and fisher. (In her own words!) What is the Green-Rock Audubon Society? The Green-Rock Audubon Society is a non-profit formed in 1990, one year after the establishment of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant program. G-RAS is not only a local Wisconsin group of the National Audubon Society. It is belongs to the Gathering Waters Alliance for Land Trusts, which supports more than 40 land trusts across Wisconsin. G-RAS manages five properties it purchased with the help of Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grants. These properties are excellent examples of prairie and wetlands restoration, and conservation. This conservation work restores vital habitat for birds and other wildlife, but also provides valuable recreational opportunities for local residents. G-RAS welcomes all area hikers, forest bathers, hunters, and fisher people of varying abilities. South-central Wisconsin residents do not have to travel all the way “up north” for outdoor recreational fun.  What is Wisconsin's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program? In 1989, Governor Tommy Thompson and the Wisconsin Legislature created the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (or Stewardship Fund) to preserve valuable natural areas and wildlife habitat, protect water quality and fisheries and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Stewardship fund gives the WI DNR spending authority to purchase land and easement additions to state properties. Stewardship dollars also support recreational infrastructure on state properties, including campsite, restroom and trail improvements. Most annual Stewardship spending takes the form of grants to local governments and nonprofits. Stewardship grants fund local park infrastructure, boat ramp facilities, recreational trails and land purchases for parks and nature preserves statewide. (from WI DNR website) Where can I find a Public Land funded by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program? Click this link to find an interactive map! Here's an example of what you'll find.  |
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