Fall 2012

President’s Letter By Minnesota Division President Larry Dolphin This year, the keynote at the 2012 National Convention was particularly superb. Author Douglas Brinkley, who wrote the book The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America, spoke of Teddy Roosevelt’s ardent youthful passion for birds and natural history. In the book he describes Roosevelt as “a precocious child [who] became an amateur ornithologist. Trained by one of John James Audu-bon’s student taxidermists, Roosevelt started his own natural history museum in New York City to show off his specimens.” His early childhood passion for birds and natural history set

the stage for Teddy Roosevelt to be the preeminent President in conservation. He was a conservation visionary. During his terms as President, from 1901 to 1909, there were over 150 National Forests created or enlarged, six National Parks, four National Game Preserves, 18 National Monuments, and over 50 Federal Bird Reservations, now referred to as Wild-life Refuges. With all he accomplished in conservation, you have to wonder what the natural landscape would look like had he not been President. His efforts and successes in con-servation were monumental. Later in life, Roosevelt argued that parents had a moral obligation to make sure their chil-dren didn’t suffer from nature deficiency. Teddy Roosevelt

certainly didn’t. I am so glad his parents and relatives nur-tured his love of the natural world.

Michael Forsberg, award-winning wildlife photographer and speaker at the Conservation Luncheon, also acquired the passion for wildlife in his youth. In the preface of his book On Ancient Wings: The Sandhill Cranes of North America, he describes how Sandhill Cranes first sparked his imagi-nation while visiting his Grandpa and Grandma Forsberg in Kearney, Nebraska during Easter. He writes that to the surprise of his Grandma, his Grandpa Forsberg “pulled his white Chrysler New Yorker off the main highway and on to the dusty, county roads south of the Platte River to show me the Sandhill Cranes.

“I saw their massive shapes flying low in sharp silhouettes over the cornfields and back to the river at sunset.”

In his presentation, Michael Forsberg commented how the Sandhill Cranes were “buried deep” in his soul on one of his first assignments as a photographer for NEBRASKAland Magazine. He had spent a night in a pit blind on a sandbar with thousands of cranes “just a whisper away.”

Both Teddy Roosevelt and Michael Forsberg are excellent examples of men who, in their youth, made significant connections to their natural world. Teddy Roosevelt is long gone but his legacy is still being written, and Michael Forsberg’s legacy has just begun. You might ask yourself how you became connected to the natural world, and as Ikes, we must continue to ask ourselves how we can connect youth and family to our natural world.

Bob Marshall’s address was equally inspiring. (See page 2.) I had a little fire in my belly after he was done. His final message was, “Stop preaching to the choir”. We need to go beyond those who have the same conservation values as we do and reach out to those who don’t. This is a huge challenge. On April 22, 1970, over one million people marched on Washington to establish the first Earth Day. Do we need another march? Not too long after that, the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act were passed under a Republican administration. The conser-vation of fish, wildlife, air, water, and land, is not democrat, republican, or independent. It is a responsibility we all share. As we take care of our natural resources, so we take care of ourselves. Everything is connected to everything else. For the Wild Ones, the Next Seven Generations, and Us, Larry

Dave Cole of the Austin Chapter and President Larry Dolphin at the 90th Anniversary Celebration. Photo by Pat O’Leary.

90th National IWLA Convention By Nancy DolphinEight members of the Minnesota Division, including Barry Drazkowski (Will Dilg), Jill Crafton (Bush Lake), Division President Larry Dolphin and Nancy Dolphin (Austin Chapter 10), John Rust (Breckenridge), Gary and Cherry Schwartz (Owatonna), and Dave Zentner (McCabe), attended the 2012 IWLA National Convention in Lincoln, NE. The 90th annual Convention of the Izaak Walton League of America was called to order on Wednesday, July 18, by President Jim Madsen. Attendees were treated to three outstanding presenters over the course of the convention. (See more on President’s Letter) The first speaker was the keynote presentation by Douglas Brinkley, award-winning historian and best-selling author. He said of the IWLA, “[I] haven’t seen you the on wrong side of any right issue.”

Bob Marshall spoke to the convention on Thursday morning. Marshall is the conservation editor for Field and Stream and a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter and columnist for the New Orleans The Times-Picayune. He gave a thought-provoking presentation about the dangerous political and economic forces today that threaten to weaken and roll back conservation measures which have protected our natural resources for generations.

Marshall said we are facing the biggest attack on fish and wildlife in 100 years. In the last two years there has been an anti-conservation movement with one in five votes to weaken environmental regulations and 71 anti-environmental riders. He said it’s as if the “air is too clean, the water too pure, and [we have] just too much public land.” He refutes the argument that environmental regulations cost jobs and profits and supported it with numbers that show conservation measures add jobs and income. He finds nothing inconsistent with being conservative and pro-environment.

Finally, he reminded us to be visible, contact our congress men and women, and “never underestimate the power you have as an individual.”

On Thursday, July 19, the morning’s agenda included election of National Officers. Jim Madsen concluded his term as National President, eager to move to the next phase of his life and proud of what the IWLA has accomplished in the last 90 years. He wrote, “The League has survived wars, depres-sions, recessions and disasters of many kinds but we celebrate the satisfaction that comes with longevity.”

Thursday’s Conservation Luncheon featured Nebraska native and award-winning photographer Michael Forsberg. Forsberg has a special affinity for the Great Plains and its inhabitants, especially the Sandhill crane. He spoke of the patience and skill it takes to capture wildlife shots and of the necessity to protect the plains.

ResolutionsThree resolutions were brought to the floor on Friday afternoon by Chuck Clayton, chairman of the Resolutions Committee. All three were adopted.

The first was a two-part resolution dealing with the Farm Bill. Part 1, Updating IWLA Policy on Federal Crop Insurance, “supports the ‘re-coupling’ of federal crop insurance benefits to the conservation compliance requirements of the Farm Bill programs and supports a 5-year waiting period between breaking of native prairie and enrollment in Federal Crop Insurance.”

Part 2, Updating IWLA Policy on Sodbuster/Swamp-buster Converted Acres, “supports legislation in the Farm Bill requiring the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to annually gather and publicly report information on wetland and grassland acres converted to crop production of all producers enrolled in the federal crop insurance.

The second resolution concerned itself with oil and natural gas drilling. For more information go to the article on page 3 Hydro-fracking a Growing Concern.

Resolution three, To Establish Regulation of Silica Sand Mining “recommends that all levels of government with oversight and regulatory authority over silica (frac) sand mining implement a moratorium for permitting new silica (frac) sand mining operations. It also lists minimum require-ments for permitting, including a public environmental assessment, site-specific plans to adequately protect natural resources, human health, and local infrastructure, and non- compliance penalties and posted bond for mine closure and site reclamation.

See more information about the resolutions at:http://www.iwla.org/2012resolutions.

Thank You Thank you to the Nebraska Division and the City of Lincoln

for an interesting and informative week!

Newly elected National Officers include:

President – Bob ChapmanVice President – Shawn GallagherSecretary – Marj Striegel Treasurer - Walter Lynn, Jr. Congratulations to Jim Madsen and to

our new National Officers

Fall 2012 Waltonian Page 2

Concern about yet another source of water pollution erupted at the 2011 IWLA National Convention as PA Ikes related the serious public health impacts in their communities from Hydro-fracking. At that convention, the Energy Resource Committee debated and edited an Oil and Gas Drilling Reso-lution originally authored by Ivan Hack. The National Reso-lution Committee tabled that resolution.

Angst over the reluctance of the League to promptly develop policy to address the serious threat to surface and subsurface waters compelled many Ikes to renew their deter-mination to monitor and collect data to document the indica-tors of contaminated water. Ikes from Ohio to NY remained alarmed that this fossil fuel extraction process is exempt from the Clean Water Act protections for stormwater runoff and neither State nor federal legislators are developing environ-mental review standards and regulations to protect public health.

In the following year Ikes drafted resolutions in several states as a basis for needed regulatory criteria to make the extraction process safe. Meanwhile during that year, the PA Ikes developed a Citizen Science Monitoring Program using special equipment to measure the water impacts. In conver-sations with Barry Drazkowski, of the Will Dilg Chapter in Winona the lack of information and a location to post it became apparent. Consequently, Barry has initiated work on a website to post the data and relevant observations.

In July 2012 at National Convention, the membership passed an Oil and Gas Drilling resolution with the following requirements for oil and gas drilling sites: 1. Congress should repeal sections of the Clean Water Act which exempt oil and natural gas drilling from National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements.

2. Following repeal of the exemption in sections 402(l)(2) and 502(24) of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall develop and adopt regulations applying the NPDES permit process to discharges of storm water runoff from oil and natural gas operations. Regula-tions must require monitoring and reporting of storm water discharges and can utilize general permits, provided such permits require individual site registration and address factors specific to each geographic area and geologic production zone.3. As part of any permit system regulating oil and natural gas drilling sites, the appropriate regulatory agency shall require compliance with relevant Best Management Practices (BMPs) for site development, operation, closure, and reclamation, and impose penalties for non-compliance.

4. Any permit system regulating oil and natural gas drilling sites should protect wetlands and riparian zones by requiring compliance with all relevant local, state and federal ordi-nances and regulations concerning such resources.

5. Prior to drilling permit issuance, a notice of intent to drill shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area to be drilled. This notice shall include a right to a public hearing by residents and landowners in the affected communities.

6. Groundwater monitoring shall be required for all oil and natural gas drilling, production, disposal and drilling fluids storage.

7. All drilling permits must require adequate bonding to provide sealing, reclamation, and environmental remediation.

Efforts are underway to build a working group made up of a coalition to address issues from silica sand mining to the hydro-fracking on a national scale.

In PA the wells were not built using state of the art Best Management Practices, well casings failed, waste water is not captured and chemical disclosure is lacking. Setbacks for wetland protection, holding open meeting and scheduled hearings prior to permitting, and having site specific local permits would bolster water protection and build transpar-ency into the decision-making process.

Preliminary goals for the working group include monitor-ing air and water quality to gather science based data to be used as a basis for developing regulatory standards, launching a web site to post that data and other observations, and estab-lishing regional sub-groups to develop regulatory criteria and address local issues.

Hydro-fracking Is Growing Concern by Minnesota Division Treasurer Jill Crafton

From left to right: Cherry Schwartz, Jill Crafton, Hall of Fame Award winner, and Nancy Dolphin at the National Convention. Photo by Gary Schwartz.

Fall 2012 Waltonian Page 3

√ Chapters Check In A Conversation on Climate Change

On Thursday, September 27, meteorologist Paul Douglas will be host and moderate an informational and discussion event concerning Global Warming and Climate Change. This free public event will be held at Champlin Park High School in Champlin. The evening is sponsored by the Izaak Walton League and other partner organizations.

The event begins with a social period at 6:30 PM when public can mix and mingle with local legislators and candi-dates for public office. At 7 PM Dr. Lee Frelich of the University of Minnesota and Dr. John Abraham of the University of St. Thomas will give presentations which will be followed by a question and answer period. Bring your

tough questions and enter into a dialogue with experts.

Paul Douglas is well known to Twin Cities’ television viewers and has been covering climate change since the mid-90s, writing about the topic and has started three weather-related companies.

Dr. Frelich is Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology. He has authored more than 100 publications with 80 co-authors from 12 countries. His major research interest is the response of forests to climate change.

Dr. Abraham is an Associate Professor of Thermal Sciences at the University of St. Thomas and works in the field of renewable energy generation and climate monitoring.

Champlin Park High School is located at 6025 109th Ave. North, Champlin, MN on the border with Brooklyn Park. For more information contact John Rust: imgahn2u@yahoo.com or 763-202-3346.

Grand Rapids Signs on to be a GreenStep City

Michelle Schroeder reports: Katrina Zablonski, a Humphrey Policy Fellow, was instrumental in leading her student group project to fruition. The student group studied Minnesota GreenStep Cities, documented Grand Rapids environmental progress and used the information for a very convincing argument to the Grand Rapids City Council. The Council decided to sign the resolution to become a MN GreenStep City. The Grand Rapids IWLA Chapter has been involved in this process for two years. It’s really great to see the enormous efforts pay off.

Hold a Chapter Birthday PartyThere is still time for Chapters to hold their own Birthday

Party to celebrate the Izaak Walton League’s 90th! Fall is a perfect time to hold an outdoor event. Host a picnic at Ike property or nearby nature center. Hold a kid’s event that gets them close to nature. Choose a local project that needs doing. Breckenridge Chapter selected a canoe trip on the nearby Mississippi River. What can you do to pay tribute to 90 years of conservation action? Let the IWLA’s name be heard.

Hall of Fame Award Congratulations to Jill Crafton of the Bush Lake Chapter!

Jill was surprised with a Hall of Fame Award at the National Awards Luncheon during the National Convention. The Hall of Fame Award is presented to “members who have given long and devoted service to the League and have achieved a record of outstanding accomplishments.” Jill certainly fits that description. She serves as Treasurer for the Bush Lake Chapter, Treasurer for the Minnesota Division, and is a State Director. She is the chair of the Minnesota Division Watershed Summits. As former IWLA Great Lakes Committee chair, she actively supports ballast water manage-ment in the Great Lakes. She serves tirelessly on numerous environmental and conservation boards. Before the Conven-tion ended, Jill was also presented with a plaque as a member of the Million Dollar Club. We are so fortunate to have Jill Crafton as a very active member of the Izaak Walton League.

Darrel Spencer of the W. J. McCabe Chapter received his Tobin Award from National Director Dave Zentner.

Fall 2012 Waltonian Page 4

In MemoriamTribute to Lloyd Swenson and Leon Johnson

Now the big trees are down, now the big trees are down. Who will hold the sky up? Now the big trees are down.Douglas Wood

The Minnesota Division lost two very “big trees” this spring. Lloyd Swenson, 86, of Austin, Chapter 10, died Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Leon Johnson, 90, also of Austin Chapter 10, died Monday, April 16, 2012.

Lloyd Swenson was a long-time member of the Austin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League. His wife, Ramona, continues as the local newsletter editor. Lloyd joined the Chapter in 1984. In 1989 and 1990; he was instrumental in the implementa-tion of the Non-Point Source Pollution Pilot Project in Mower County Schools. As a result, in 1989, he received a special

Environmental Education Award at the National Conven-tion in Syracuse, NY. He also received a Tobin Award, a national award given to an Izaak Walton League Chapter’s most outstanding member. In 2002-03, he served as a State Director. He was also a member of the State Environmental Education Board. He compiled a highlighted list of Austin Chapter History which can be found on the Austin website. Lloyd always supported environmental education projects, including Long Lake, Deep Portage, Eagle Bluff and the J. C. Hormel Nature Center. Survivors include his wife, Ramona, three sons and daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren.

Leon Johnson and his wife, Twila, were also long-time members of the Austin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League. Leon joined the Chapter in 1956. He was interested in water quality, stocking of local rivers and teaching kids to fish. He coordinated the fish display and the water quality exhibits at the Mower County Fair for over 15 years.

As the Austin Chapter’s most outstanding member, Leon received a Tobin Award in September, 2006, celebrating 50 years as a member of IWLA. Continuing in Leon’s generous spirit, family members requested memorials to the IWLA and the J.C. Hormel Nature Center. Survivors include two daughters and four grandchildren.

According to Al Layman, himself a long-time member of the Austin Ikes, both Lloyd and Leon brought a high level of community involvement and credibility to the local chapter. Both were stellar husbands, fathers, and grandfathers. Both

were passionate about caring for the natural environment. Both were instrumental in bringing more members to the organization. Both Leon, with his experience in city govern-ment, and Lloyd, as a seasoned educator, were natural leaders who were respected and listened to at the local and state level. They will both be sorely missed.

Sharon J. Kaczorowski, 67, of Winona died May 15, 2012 at Lake Winona Manor following a coura-geous 21 year battle with cancer. Sharon was an active member of the Will Dilg Chapter. As a special education teacher at Melrose-Mindoro Schools in Mindoro, WI from 1983 to 2010. Sharon enjoyed teaching her students life skills and was extremely dedicated to her students and was very active in natural resources and educa-tional work.

Division Forest MemorialsThe Minnesota Division offers a Forest Memorial program

to help members and others memorialize friends and family, protect the environment and carry out Minnesota Division programs. The suggested donation has been $15 but now has been increased to $20 because of higher mailing costs. A certificate done in calligraphy will be sent to those desig-nated by the donor. Half of the donation goes to mainte-nance of the Fay Harrington Memorial Stand located in Cass County, a lovely piece of managed forest with a signed trail. The other half of the donated funds go to Minnesota Division programs.

Minnesota Division Scholarships AwardedThe Minnesota Division Scholarship Committee awarded two scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year.

Sarah Wilson, majoring in Environmental Studies at the University of Minnesota Morris and Colin Veerman, majoring in Environmental Science at Bethel University were each awarded $500.00.

Sarah would like to have a career with the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service or the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources. Colin would like to work with developing sustainable communities in third world countries. Good Luck to both of them.

Lloyd Swenson

Leon Johnson

Sharon Kaczorowski

Fall 2012 Waltonian Page 5

Birds of HeavenExotic “Birds of Heaven” Peter Matthiessen calls them, the 15 species of cranes found round the world. Matthiessen traveled the globe tracking down each species and writing beautifully about the lives of cranes in various habitats. You can to view these captured species at the International Crane Foundation located near Baraboo, Wisconsin by joining the Minnesota Division Ikes for the Fall Workshop October 19-21.

The refuge is tucked away off a side road in a landscape of rolling hills, woods and prairie. You can recognize you are near the Foundation from the harsh, raucous call of the cranes, a garooo-oo-ah- ah-ah! sound. At the Foundation trails take visitors by the displays of these remarkable birds, the oldest living bird species that have inhabited the earth for 60 million years. One special display along the viewing trail concentrates on the Sandhill crane, the species you are apt to recognize here in the Minnesota, Wisconsin area. The Sandhill display has its own pavilion, beside a small pond where the birds can be viewed up close and personal.

The lesser can be observed in mass, 200 to 300 thousand, during late February into April as they stop during migration to feed and rest along the Platte River in Nebraska on their way to northern nesting grounds. The Sandhills are brownish gray, stand three and a half feet tall with a wingspan of 6 feet and have bright red bald patches atop their heads. They weigh only 7-8 pounds.

The cranes glean leftovers in farm fields and seek out seeds, berries, insects, grubs or spiders. They use their beaks as tools, like spades to dig out tender green browse. Larger fare might be a mouse, bird or crayfish that is reduced to smaller portions. The birds are out in the fields by day, eating, dancing and enjoying their six week rest. They are always on guard, moving slowly away as a flock, when a predator such as a coyote stalks the group.

Watching a flock of cranes settle down for the night is a wonderful process. Huge groups of hundreds of cranes scour the Platte for the perfect nesting spot by flying low over prospective sites. They must make sure that the night’s haven is predator free before feeling comfortable. Islands in the shallow Platte are their preference.

We have watched a herd of six deer cross the river silhouetted against the dying sunset, rousing no predators. The deer were followed by a raft of cranes, taking a cue from the mammals. The cranes would spend the night near the edge of the island and away from danger, slowly quieting their loud calls.

One day after six weeks of leisure the birds fly high, catch a thermal and continue their long journey to northern nesting spots. Ike and naturalist Walter Breckenridge in 1945 described their exit, “Gradually the clamoring mass of birds

rise higher and higher toward the massive white cumulus clouds floating in the deep blue sky. And as they rose, they slowly began to organize themselves into a huge circling whirlpool–like formation that turned ever so slowly and all the while towering higher and higher. Their calls gradually became less and less distinct and their huge forms smaller and smaller until the highest bird had to be followed with 8X binoculars.” (Minnesota now has a sandhill crane hunting season initiated after 94 years of no hunting of these awesome birds.)

Gray crowned crane at International Crane Foundation. Photo by Julie Henricksson.

Fall Workshop and BOD MeetingREGISTRATIONName(s)_______________________________________________________________________________Address ____________________________________ __________________________________________City _______________________________________ ST ______Zip _______________________________Email ______________________________________Phone _____________________________I am enclosing $ ____________ registration /meals for __________ persons. *see page 8 for feesMake check payable to MN Division-IWLA. Mail form and check to MN Division IWLA, 2233 University Ave. West, Ste. 339, St. Paul, MN 55114. You may also register on-line by going to www.minnesotaikes.org. If you have questions, please call Noreen at the Division office (651) 221-0215 or email ikes@minnesotaikes.org Thank you!

Fall 2012 Waltonian Page 6

Friday, October 19: Travel to Comfort Inn, Wisconsin Dells, WISaturday, October 20

9:00-12:00 – Visit Leopold Legacy Center and LED buildingNoon – Picnic Lunch1:30-3:30 – Visit International Crane Foundation3:45 p.m. – Depart for Comfort Inn, Stevens Point6:00-6:30 – Social at Bill Cook Chapter House 6:30 – Dinner at Bill Cook Chapter House

Sunday, October 219:00- Noon – BOD meeting at Bill Cook Chapter House

Minnesota Division presidents past and present had their photo taken at the 90th Anniversary Celebration. Clockwise from the top left: Curt Leitz, Rolf Nordstrom, Rex Sala, Ted Mittlestadt, Al Layman, Larry Dolphin, Barb Toren, Paul Toren, Ray Haik, Dave Zentner, Gary Schwartz, Lee Barthel, Char Brooker, and Bill Henke. There will be more about the 90th Anniversary Celebration in the Winter Waltonian. Photo by Pat O’Leary.

Minnesota Division Fall Workshop and Board of Directors’ Meeting

October 19-21, 2012

Leopold Legacy Center and International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, WI and

Bill Cook Chapter House, Stevens Point, WI

Lodging: Friday night – Comfort Inn, Wisconsin Dells $85.00 + tax* (includes breakfast) Reservation: (608) 253-3711Saturday night – Comfort Inn, Plover $79.99 + tax * (includes breakfast) Reservation: (715) 342-0400*Mention MN Division IWLA to get the group rate. Cut-off date is September 28.Registration Fee: $55.00• Includes lunch on Saturday, dinner on Saturday, • Includes Leopold Legacy Center tour and International Crane Foundation tour

Sandhill crane. Photo courtesy of the International Crane Foundation.

Fall 2012 Waltonian Page 7

MINNESOTA WALTONIANThe Minnesota Division Izaak Walton League of America publishes the Waltonian four times a year on the months of March, June, September, and December. Copy deadline is the eighth of the month prior to publication. Send material to: Waltonian Editor, C/O Minne-sota Div., IWLA, 2233 University Ave. W, Ste. 339, St. Paul MN 55114, 651-221-0215, ikes@minnesotaikes.org, www.minnesotaikes.org

MINNESOTA DIVISION OFFICERS President: Larry Dolphin, 507-433-9387, alphaflipr@gmail.comVice-president: John Crampton, 952-884-6704, jcrampt@comcast.netSecretary: Merlene Stiles, 507-433-7527, mkstiles@smig.netTreasurer: Jill Crafton, 612-349-8255

National DirectorsCurt Leitz: 218-464-1335, leit0033@umn.edu (elected)Gary Schwartz: 507-451-6676, presike1@live.com (elected)Dave Zentner: 218-724-3926, dzentner@charter.net (past national president)

MINNESOTA DIVISION OFFICE2233 University Ave. W, Ste, 339, St. Paul, MN 55114 651/221-0215, ikes@minnesotaikes.org, www.minnesotaikes.org

2012 Division & National Dues(Including national dues -Chapter dues are in addition)Individual $52.50, Family $75.00, Student $30.00, Youth $15.80

MIDWEST OFFICEAdministrative Manager: Gwen Steel 651-649-1446 ext. 10, midwestoffice@iwla.org

NON PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDTWIN CITIES MN

55121PERMIT #7706

2233 University Ave W Ste 339, St. Paul MN 55114

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Creek Freaks Leadership Training set for Oct. 6-7 atMinnesota Valley National Wildlife RefugeHave you wanted to start an outdoor education program for youth? Have you wanted to share your love of the outdoors with kids in your community? Ikes have the answer. Attend the IWLA Creek Freaks Program Leaders’ training sessions Oct. 6-7 right in the Twin Cities hosted by Jaques Chapter IWLA and other water quality organiza-tions. Creek Freaks are middle school students making a splash to help the environment by monitoring stream health. You will learn how to empower these kids. The training will include an overview of stream ecology, and how to conduct on-going programs using the Creek Freaks curriculum. You will also learn how to use and teach the www.creekfreaks.net website where kids and volunteers can post data, photos and videos. Registration is $25 and includes lunch and materials. To register, visit http://creekfreaksminnesota.eventbrite.com. For questions contact John Siekmeier at john.siekmeier@state.mn.us or 651-291-1829.

2012 Meetings & EventsSeptember 27, 6:30 PM, 2012 A Conversation on Climate Change at Champlin Park High School October 19-21 Fall Workshop and BOD Meeting, Leopold Legacy Center, Int’l Crane Foundation & Wisconsin Division at Stevens Point