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.
iNaturalist & Community Science
Learn how you can contribute to community science using iNaturalist! All you need is a smart device (phone, iPad) or a camera and you can help scientists track species in our community.
Big Woods Ecosystem Hike
Minnesota’s Big Woods is a unique forest full of many different plants and animals. Join us on a hike at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park to discover what makes it special and how it has changed with time.
Water Savers Storytime (Hora del cuento para los protectores de agua)
Join Clean River Partners and Northfield Public Library for a bilingual Spanish/English storytime all about water conservation!
Acompañe a Clean Rivers Partners y la Northfield Public Library para una hora del cuento bilingüe en inglés y español, ¡todo sobre la conservación del agua!
QUEERY Meetup: Kayaking
Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School (ORS) to learn the fundamental of paddling!
Minnspired River Protectors
Join educators from Clean River Partners for hands-on fun in this family-friendly workshop and take home a booklet of conservation-related activities you can do with your family!
Watershed-Wide Cleanup
For over 15 years, we’ve brought together communities across the Cannon River Watershed to clean up area parks, rivers, and lakes at our largest annual volunteer event of the year.
We achieve this by partnering with local organizations and recruiting volunteers to remove litter from these areas, including items such as car seats, tires, lawn chairs, mattresses, food wrappers, clothing, and more.
Save the date. More information to come soon!
Please reach out if you’re interested in leading a cleanup site! Contact is listed below.
Fifteen Years of ‘Leaving It Better’ in Medford
For over a decade, Carla and Byron Brady have been at the forefront of the Cannon River Watershed-Wide Cleanup, sharing their passion for the river and encouraging countless community members to get involved. As site leaders for the Medford area, they’ve left a lasting mark on both the Straight River and its supporters. Their journey began in 2009, the inaugural year of the cleanup initiative, and after an incredible fifteen years, they’re ready to close this chapter in 2024.
Questions?
Contact Lauren Borer (she/her), our
Community Engagement Manager
lauren@cleanriverpartners.org
(507) 200-1170
QUEERY Meetup: Pond Study
Ever wonder creatures you can find in our local ponds, lakes, and streams? Spend the afternoon dipping in the pond searching for aquatic macroinvertebrates!
QUEERY Meetup: Archery
Join us and the instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School (ORS) to learn fundamental skills of archery and the elements of safety.
Cannon River Fish Passage Public Information Meeting
Project partners invite the public to learn about the dam modification and culvert replacement projects happening on the Cannon River.
Volunteer at the Cannon River Wilderness Area
Join us for a volunteer event at the Cannon River Wilderness Area.
Dwarf Trout Lily Hike
Come along on a naturalist led hike to see spring ephemeral wildflowers including the rare Dwarf Trout Lily at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.
Rain Barrel Workshop
Learn how to get started with a rain barrel at our FREE workshop during Northfield Earth Day!
Volunteer at St. Olaf Natural Lands
Join us for a volunteer event at St. Olaf Natural Lands.
QUEERY Meetup: Land Walk and Archive Tour
Join us as we visit a local cultural center to learn about Dakota land stewardship. In addition to exploring the exhibits, we will also go on a special land walk and a behind-the-scenes archive tour.
QUEERY Meetup: Maple Syruping
Join Clean River Partners and the Minnesota DNR to learn about the process, from tapping trees to boiling sap!
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.
QUEERY Meetup: Kicksledding
Join Clean River Partners and Three Rivers Park District for an afternoon of wintertime fun!
Downstream Environmental Film Festival - Owatonna Screening
Clean River Partners invites you to join us for the 9th annual Downstream Environmental Film Festival, a celebration of art, storytelling, and environmental action.
Downstream Environmental Film Festival - Faribault Screening
Clean River Partners invites you to join us for the 9th annual Downstream Environmental Film Festival, a celebration of art, storytelling, and environmental action.
Downstream Environmental Film Festival - Cannon Falls Screening
Clean River Partners invites you to join us for the 9th annual Downstream Environmental Film Festival, a celebration of art, storytelling, and environmental action.
Downstream Environmental Film Festival - Northfield Screening, Night Two
Clean River Partners invites you to join us for the 9th annual Downstream Environmental Film Festival, a celebration of art, storytelling, and environmental action.
Downstream Environmental Film Festival - Northfield Screening, Night One
Clean River Partners invites you to join us for the 9th annual Downstream Environmental Film Festival, a celebration of art, storytelling, and environmental action.
QUEERY Meetup: Botany Field Trip
Tired of grey winter days? Join us for an afternoon in the tropics! Together, we'll explore a botanical conservatory and learn about the queerness of plants.
Northfield Stormwater Poster Contest Recognition Ceremony
We are thrilled to announce the Fall 2025 Northfield Stormwater Poster contest winners! Join us in celebrating these students and their efforts to raise awareness about stormwater pollution prevention.
Water Savers Storytime (Hora del cuento para los protectores de agua)
Join Clean River Partners and Northfield Public Library for a bilingual Spanish/English storytime all about water conservation!
Acompañe a Clean Rivers Partners y la Biblioteca Pública de Northfield para una hora del cuento bilingüe en inglés y español, ¡todo sobre la conservación del agua!
QUEERY Meetup: Snowshoeing
Join us for an afternoon of snowshoeing with the Minnesota DNR! We'll meet at a local state park and enjoy the winter scenery. Snowshoes will be provided. If there isn't enough snow, we will go on a guided tree identification hike instead.
Trivia Night at The Ole Store!
Clean River Partners and The Ole Store are teaming up for a fun and engaging trivia night designed to bring the community together in support of clean water initiatives.
Volunteer at the Carleton Arboretum
Join Clean River Partners and the Carleton College Cowling Arboretum to protect young trees from winter deer browse.
QUEERY Meetup: Geocaching
Join Clean River Partners and Three Rivers Park District for an afternoon of geocaching! Together, we'll tackle an outdoor treasure hunt using GPS devices.
Pollinator Rain Garden Workshop
Attend this 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.
QUEERY Meetup: Birding
Join us for a morning of birding with local nature photographer and birder extraordinaire, Gerry Hoekstra! Together, we'll learn how to use binoculars and identify common Minnesota residents. Binoculars and field guides provided.
Nuestra Agua, Nuestras Vidas (Our Water, Our Lives)
Join Clean River Partners and HealthFinders Collaborative for an afternoon of family-friendly fun! Come support local artists, learn about water, and connect with the community!
National Public Lands Day Celebration
Join Clean River Partners, River Bend Nature Center, and Faribault Youth Empowerment Center as we celebrate National Public Lands Day! Together, we will remove invasive buckthorn and learn about different and new management techniques.
Seed Collection with Sharing Our Roots Farm
Join Clean River Partners and Sharing Our Roots as we collect a variety of seeds from prairie habitat.
QUEERY Meetup: Welcome Hike & Nature Journaling
Join us for the first QUEERY meetup of the 2025-26 season! Together, we'll learn about the practice of nature journaling and enjoy a hike on some local, beautiful trails.