The news broke on September 19, 2025: a survey confirmed that zebra mussels had officially appeared in the east end of the lake. And, just one month later, they were found in several new locations, proving they are spreading rapidly.

Interested in using more native plants in your garden, but not sure where to start? Residents of The Crossing condominium complex in Northfield found themselves in a similar situation about ten years ago.

Across the Cannon River watershed, people and organizations are coming together to care for the land in ways that are both practical and deeply rooted in history. A recent restoration event at Sharing Our Roots Farm in Northfield showed what that can look like in practice.

For years, those of us in conservation have tried to change what happens on the land. Because what happens on the land shows up in the water. But what if we’ve been approaching this the wrong way?

Fish passage is a simple idea. Fish need to move up and down a river to survive. Many species travel upstream to lay eggs in specific habitats with the right water depth, temperature, and gravel. When a dam blocks that path, fish cannot reach those spawning areas. Over time, populations shrink, diversity declines, and the river ecosystem weakens.

This research project set out to explore cropping systems that intentionally combine cover crops, livestock, and modified corn row spacing to support both conservation outcomes and farm profitability.

Faribault historian and filmmaker Sam Temple was commissioned by Clean River Partners to create a water-themed film in a language other than English. What emerged was “Las Aguas Vivas de Faribault” (The Living Waters of Faribault), a film that shed light on a hopeful moment in time, in a place not so far away.

For several years, we have partnered with the Forever Green Initiative (FGI) at the University of Minnesota and farmers Matt and Seth Tentis of White Barn Acres to explore whether Kernza® could function as a dual-use commodity crop on a working farm. This collaboration brought research out of test plots and into real-world conditions, where decisions must balance conservation goals, livestock needs, and farm economics.

As communities in the watershed face extreme weather, like heavier rainfall and flooding, many are looking for ways to enhance local water quality. One effective approach is to plant native plants.

In May 2021, we introduced a new name: Clean River Partners. While the name changed, our mission did not. We remain dedicated to protecting and improving the land and water of the Cannon River watershed and to building a future where everyone plays a role in environmental stewardship.

Learn about the last thirty five years of work at our organization.

We are pleased to announce that we have received $12,000 in grant funding from Northfield Shares to support environmental stewardship and restoration in the watershed.