Events
Events Calendar
We work to create a fun and welcoming environment where people can come together, learn from each other, and make meaningful connections for the sake of clean water. Another way to stay in the loop about upcoming events is to subscribe to our digital newsletter.
Northfield Poster Contest Due Date
Clean River Partners works alongside the cities of Northfield and Faribault to promote community education on important topics like stormwater pollution prevention! Our goal is to help everyone understand how their daily choices can make a big difference in water quality. The stormwater poster contest engages students in grades 2-5 to create posters that reflect the theme “stormwater pollution solutions.”
Volunteer Day with Mountains and Waters Alliance
Join us for a fun day with Mountains and Waters Alliance! We’ll dive into the benefits of biochar, pull some invasive plants, and keep the biochar burn going. Sign up for a shift or stick around for the whole day. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll meet on Sunday, May 4—same time and place.
QUEERY Meetup: Archery
Join us for an exciting day of skill-building as we try archery together! We'll learn about the history of the sport, the design of bows and arrows, and of course, we'll do some target practice. Please note that transportation via bus is provided for this event.
Northfield Stormwater Poster Contest Recognition Ceremony
Clean River Partners works alongside the City of Northfield to promote community education on important topics like stormwater pollution prevention and water conservation! Our goal is to help everyone understand how their daily choices can make a big difference in water quality.
The stormwater poster contest engages students in grades 2-5 to create posters that reflect the theme “stormwater pollution solutions.”
Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resiliency: the Northfield Riverfront and Climate
Connect with others to learn about efforts related to climate-change mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency, especially as related to the Northfield riverfront. People who are carrying out work on these topics, people who may be affected by climate change consequences near the riverfront, and others interested in learning more should attend.
Member Meetup: Dwarf Trout Lily Hike
Join Clean River Partners and DNR Interpretive Naturalist Andy Wendt for an exciting Dwarf Trout Lily Hike in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park! Discover the beauty of our spring ephemerals and search for the rare Dwarf Trout Lily while Andy shares fascinating insights about this unique flower and the surrounding ecosystems.
Northfield Earth Day Celebration
Join the Northfield community for an inspiring Earth Day celebration. This year’s theme, Down with Extreme Weather, We Can Do This Together, invites everyone to engage in creating solutions for climate resilience.
The event will feature educational workshops, hands-on activities, and a vibrant Eco Fair and Farmers Market. Explore sustainable practices, learn from guest speakers, and discover ways to reduce environmental impacts. Together, we can address the challenges of extreme weather and climate change through unity and action.
QUEERY Meetup: Dakota History, Culture, and Land Stewardship
Join us for an afternoon of education and reflection as we learn about the history and culture of the Dakota people. During this experience, we'll journey through time, from before colonization to present day. We'll also talk about Indigenous land stewardship, as well as Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer identities.
Downstream Environmental Film Festival
The Downstream Environmental Film Festival celebrates the artistry of local, national, and international filmmakers who address critical environmental issues. Grab a drink, connect with your neighbors, enjoy outstanding films, and get inspired to take action for our local land and water.
Downstream Environmental Film Festival
The Downstream Environmental Film Festival celebrates the artistry of local, national, and international filmmakers who address critical environmental issues. Grab a drink, connect with your neighbors, enjoy outstanding films, and get inspired to take action for our local land and water.
Downstream Environmental Film Festival
The Downstream Environmental Film Festival celebrates the artistry of local, national, and international filmmakers who address critical environmental issues. Grab a drink, connect with your neighbors, enjoy outstanding films, and get inspired to take action for our local land and water.
Downstream Environmental Film Festival
The Downstream Environmental Film Festival celebrates the artistry of local, national, and international filmmakers who address critical environmental issues. Grab a drink, connect with your neighbors, enjoy outstanding films, and get inspired to take action for our local land and water.
QUEERY Meetup: Monarchs and Milkweed
Butterflies have long been a symbol of queer self-discovery, especially for trans people going through transition. Join us as we learn about the incredible journey of monarch butterflies, and find out what you can do at home to help this amazing species. On this field trip, we'll also explore science and natural history exhibits on a variety of cool topics. Please note that transportation via bus is provided for this event.
Board Meeting
Are you curious about our organization? Interested in joining our board of directors? Join us for an upcoming board meeting in Northfield, MN!
Plant a Rain Garden Workshop
Attend this FREE in-person class and learn about the benefits of rain gardens and how to plan and install your own. You'll learn where to put your rain garden, how to choose the right plants, and what cost-share programs exist to help you pay for the project. Please bring your questions and your ideas!
Cannon River Watershed Farmers Breakfast
A casual breakfast for Cannon River Watershed farmers to discuss 2024 Rice Creek water testing results, cover cropping, extended crop rotation, and connect with Clean River Partners, MPCA, and Rice SWCD staff (by invitation only).
Member Meetup: Ice Fishing
Dress warm and join us for a member meetup to learn about the basics of ice fishing! Not a member yet? You're still invited! Come learn about the benefits of membership and connect with our organization. We'd love to meet you.
QUEERY Meetup: Zoo Field Trip
QUEERY is going on a field trip! Join us for a Saturday at the zoo and learn about some of the queer animals living there.
Cannon River Fish Passage: Open House
Join us for the Cannon River Fish Passage Open House, where you can learn about the design plan for the fish passage project from our partners at Bolton & Menk. The event will feature an informative presentation and an opportunity for community members to engage directly with experts.
Board Meeting
Are you curious about our organization? Interested in joining our board of directors? Join us for an upcoming board meeting in Northfield, MN!
QUEERY Meetup: Greenhouse Tour
Take a break from the greys of winter and bring some green back into your life! This month, we’re touring the St. Olaf Greenhouse. We’ll learn about some of the 300+ plant species being grown there, and we’ll talk about queerness in the plant kingdom. This session will take place entirely indoors.
Clean River Rangers Badge Ceremony (Faribault)
After tackling clean water challenges in their neighborhoods, 4th and 5th-grade students will come together with Clean River Partners, River Bend Nature Center, and the City of Faribault to celebrate their achievements and earn their Clean River Rangers Badges.
Clean River Rangers Badge Ceremony (Northfield)
After tackling clean water challenges in their neighborhoods, 4th and 5th-grade students will come together with Clean River Partners and the City of Northfield to celebrate their achievements and earn their Clean River Rangers Badges.
QUEERY Meetup: Bagels and Birds
During this meetup, we’ll watch for common birds, enjoy free bagels, and learn about homosexual pair-bonding in Canada geese and mallards. This session will be entirely indoors. You’re welcome to bring your own binoculars, if you have them!
Member Meetup: Open House
We’re thrilled to invite you to an open house! It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore our vibrant space, connect with our awesome team, and discover what our community is all about. Enjoy some light refreshments as you mingle—just bring your curiosity and excitement!
QUEERY Meetup: Nature Journaling
This month, we’ll decorate our notebooks, learn about the practice of nature journaling, and go for a hike to get some inspiration for our first journal entries. We’ll also learn about a unique type of white-tailed deer that has both male and female characteristics! This session will take place half indoors, half outdoors.
Tree Planting and Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
We're teaming up with the Organic Compound for a special event to plant four types of willow trees along Prairie Creek. This will help protect water quality, prevent erosion, and support wildlife habitat, benefiting our land and waterways downstream.
QUEERY Meetup
Join us for our first QUEERY meetup! We’ll discuss the program and make introductions, and then we’ll go for a walk to enjoy the fall colors and learn about a very queer animal that’s preparing for winter.
Watershed-Wide Cleanup
Join us for a fun morning connecting with neighbors and cleaning up the watershed!
Our annual cleanup inspires community members to connect with nature. Thanks to the hard work of hundreds of volunteers, we can leave the watershed in better shape than before!
Pick from one of the EIGHT cleanup sites!
Cannon Falls Cleanup Site
Riverside Park - 6th St N, Cannon Falls, MN 55009 (View Flyer)
Faribault Cleanup Sites
Two Rivers Park - 14th St NE, Faribault, MN 55021 (View Flyer)
Medford Cleanup Site
Straight River Park - 404 4th Ave NW, Medford, MN 55049 (View Flyer)
Northfield Cleanup Site
Riverside Lions Park - 419 8th St W, Northfield, MN 55057 (View Flyer)
Carleton College Lower Arboretum (West Gym Parking) - 1 North College St, Northfield, MN 55057 (View Flyer)
Owatonna Cleanup Site
Morehouse Park (Warsinski Chalet) - 356 W School St, Owatonna, MN 55060 (View Flyer)
Shields Lake Cleanup Site
McCullough County Park (Shields Lake) - 14398 Irwin Path, Faribault, MN 55021 (View Flyer)
Waterville Cleanup Site
Lions Park (Picnic Shelter) - Corner of South 3rd St. and E. Hoosac St., Waterville, MN 55096 (View Flyer)
There is still time to support our t-shirt fundraiser!
We hope to raise some extra money as we put on our 16th annual Cannon River Watershed-Wide Cleanup! By purchasing one of our cleanup t-shirts, you will help us cover event costs and expand our capacity to do more impactful work. T-shirts are available in sizes small to 2xl for $30. Order one here!
Questions?
Contact Heron Mahr (they/them), our Community Engagement Coordinator
Email: heron@cleanriverpartners.org
Phone: 507-786-3913 x 5
Thank you to our event supporters!
Nuestra Agua, Nuestras Vidas (Our Water, Our Lives)
¿Qué hay en el agua que bebemos? ¿Por qué seguimos teniendo inundaciones y sequías? ¿Cuánta agua se necesita para cultivar nuestra comida? ¿Qué actividades podemos hacer a lo largo del río?
Ven a explorar estas preguntas y aprender sobre cómo el agua juega un papel importante en nuestras vidas, disfruta de tacos gratis, juegos para toda la familia y actividades de arte. Conecta con organizaciones locales que protegen nuestra agua, apoyan a nuestras familias y nos mantienen saludables!
Tacos gratis a partir de las 4pm, hasta agotar esitencias!
Visite todos los puestos para tener la oportunidad de ganar un premio de un negocio local. Quédate hasta el final para el sorteo de premios.
Información de accesibilidad
Los participantes pueden aparcar a lo largo de las calles del centro, aunque el estacionamiento accesible es algo limitado. La zona del centro también es muy accesible para caminar y peatones. Hay bastidores de bicicletas cerca, bancos y mesas de picnic donde la gente puede descansar. El baño es un puerto-a-baño accesible.
Estacionamiento accesible para discapacitados
Baño accesible para discapacitados
What’s in the water we drink? Why do we keep having floods and droughts? How much water does it take to grow our food? What activities can we do along the river?
Come explore these questions and learn how water plays an important role in our lives. Enjoy free tacos, family-friendly games, and arts activities. Connect with local organizations that protect our water, support our families, and keep us healthy!
Free tacos starting at 4 pm, while supplies last!
Visit all the booths for a chance to win a prize from a local business. Stick around until the end for the prize drawing.
Accessibility Information
Participants can park along the streets downtown, although accessible parking is somewhat limited. The downtown area is also very walkable and pedestrian-friendly. There are bike racks nearby, benches, and picnic tables where people can rest. The restroom is an accessible port-a-potty.
Handicap Accessible Parking
Handicap Accessible Bathroom
Breakfast & Farm Tour
Join us and the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance for breakfast and a tour at Feed the People Farm Cooperative in Northfield, MN. Here, meat chickens are raised in a regenerative ecosystem under a full canopy native to the Midwest. Additionally, we’ll learn about the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation services that protect our water.
The breakfast will be catered by Ruth’s on Stafford, a local catering service in Dundas, MN, known for its home-cooked food.
The Regenerative Agriculture Alliance (RAA) is the non-profit arm of a larger ecosystem designed to build a regenerative, equitable, and socially just agriculture sector. They are focused on scaling up a systems-level regenerative poultry solution that restores ecological balance, produces nourishing food, and puts money back into the hands of farmers and food chain workers. Over the next two years, we are collaborating on a series of on-farm tours and events highlighting alternative and regenerative farms and farming practices across Minnesota. These events will culminate in a capstone event 2025 that will celebrate what we have learned and how we can continue supporting regenerative agriculture in the Midwest.
Accessibility Information
Parking available
Restroom available
Land Dedication, Medford WMA
Join Clean River Partners, Great River Greening, and Trust for Public Land to honor Don Redman's contribution to the new Medford WMA and learn about our habitat protection and restoration efforts in Southern Minnesota. Don, the former landowner, will share his inspiring journey of realizing a natural legacy on his property.
Wildlife management areas (WMAs) are part of Minnesota's outdoor recreation system. They are established to protect those lands and waters with a high potential for wildlife production, public hunting, trapping, fishing, and other compatible recreational uses.
Since 2010, TPL has protected 3,110 acres in the Cannon River Watershed with the help of landowners and outreach assistance from Clean River Partners. During this time, Great River Greening and the Minnesota DNR have restored and enhanced 498 acres of habitat in the watershed, and 452 acres of restoration are underway.
The Medford WMA protects thousands of feet of undeveloped shoreline along the Straight River and will provide visitors with recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and wildlife observation.
How to get there: The Medford WMA is not searchable on Google Maps, but you can use this pin to navigate to the area where we’ll be meeting. Keep an eye out for our event signs! It is located near NW 86th Street, east of Cabot Avenue, near Medford, MN.
Member Meetup at Sogn Valley Farm
Join us for a tour of Sogn Valley Farm, run by CRP Cannon River Champion Awardees Karin and Dana Jokela! Come and learn how the Jokela family is enriching the soil and increasing biodiversity on the farm. Meet other CRP members, soak up the summer sun, and enjoy snacks made with Kernza®, an exciting new perennial grain.
Not a member yet? You're still invited! Come learn about the benefits of membership and connect with our organization. We'd love to meet you.
Accessibility Information
Parking
Porta-potty available
Farm Tour will require walking and will cover uneven natural terrain