River Events at LWV MN Convention

The 2023 LWV Minnesota Convention took place in New Ulm on June 2-3.  New Ulm is a thriving Minnesota city, located at the confluence of the Minnesota River and the Cottonwood River, probably best known as the home of the second-oldest continuously operating brewery in the US, Schell's Brewery.  We met and celebrated the Dakota Native roots of the community, the natural setting along the river, and the German culture that overlays this area today.  

Friday afternoon, Part 1 took place at the Riverside Environmental Learning Center along the Minnesota River in New Ulm.  This historic building was a fitting setting - outdoors we welcomed visitors with a display on LWV UMRR, staffed by volunteers from LWV New Ulm.  

Inside, visitors learned about the Minnesota River's animals and water quality, and were able to 'take action' and write to their members of Congress, urging a strong conservation article in the US Farm Bill now being considered.   Packets of pollinator seeds were provided to underscore what's at stake in the Farm Bill.

---

Another attraction at this event was a book event for "For Love of a River: The Minnesota", where LWV lifetime member and state leader Geri Nelson distributed copies of the book to the visitors.   Her husband Darby was an accomplished author, educator and legislator.  This book was his last project before his death in January, 2022.  Geri was on hand to chat with visitors about the book and the process of writing it.

Saturday, the displays were set up in the LWV MN Convention hall.  Gretchen Sabel, LWV UMRR Communication Director, spoke about LWV UMRR and urged Leagues in Minnesota to join if they haven't already.  Geri Nelson gave a presentation on  the book, and then LWV New Ulm Vice-President Megan Benage gave a rousing call to action for people to understand and protect the river.  

Megan Benage demonstrating 5th-grader's response to the notion of drinking dinosaur pee since all water on earth is recycled over and over and over

Here, LWV members were provided copies of the LWV UMRR 2022-23 Annual Report and the 2023-24 Program for Action, along with LWV UMRR brochures and postcards with links to the video of Bonnie Cox and Beth Baranski's talk at the LWV UMRR 2022 Annual Meeting.   This talk from 2022 is a great way to demonstrate the power of a local League in addressing water problems and building community in the process.  

2023_umrr_report_to_state_leagues_-_memiller_june_1.pdf
File Size:	408 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

program_for_action_2023-24.pdf
File Size:	330 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

It was wonderful to meet LWV members from leagues affiliated with UMRR, and also potential new member Leagues.  Many thanks to LWV MN for the opportunity to showcase LWV UMRR!     

Members from LWV Willmar are excited to be hosting their first-ever environmental fair in April of 2024.