As 2021 ends, I am sincerely grateful for the actions you, as Freshwater supporters, empowered this year. Whether you donated to one of our campaigns like our internship program, told your elected officials how important protecting and restoring clean and safe water is for our future, or shared your passion for water with friends and family, you made a real difference.
More than 700 of you are Freshwater members, and whether you became a member because you love the Weatherguide Environmental Calendar and Almanac or you support our work at the Minnesota Capitol to advance common sense, science-based legislation, you give our small but mighty Freshwater team the backing we need. Thank you!
What does your support mean?
When you support Freshwater, you support our long-standing approach to working with people from all persuasions, communities, and interests. You support our focus on using science as the foundation of our action with engaged community participation. You support our desire to have water governed more effectively in ways driven by the people and communities that will define and receive the benefits. Lastly, you support our work building relationships with communities and people for a future where everyone can enjoy clean and safe water. To realize that future, there is much work ahead for Freshwater in 2022, and we continue to need your support.
Work ahead in 2022
In addition to our work implementing the water storage legislation passed in 2021, Freshwater is focusing on sustaining our groundwater resources and improving community water systems. Across Minnesota, community drinking water and wastewater systems need improvements. Fortunately, Congress stepped up and passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure.
The 2022 Minnesota Legislature will need to authorize state funds to stretch these federal dollars and and put this money to work from Austin to Biwabik. Freshwater will advocate for the funds to go to communities in the greatest need, where income levels are low and local government debts are high.
Your support allows Freshwater to continue strengthening our capacity to impact policies and systems for clean and safe water.
Sustaining members, I want to especially thank you for your ongoing financial support. Thirty-nine people became sustaining members in 2021, and we are grateful. If you’re not yet one of our 107 sustaining members—who provide Freshwater a total of over $1,000 each month—please consider becoming a sustainer before we begin facing the challenges ahead in 2022!
Sustaining member can join for as little as the cost a cup of coffee each month, and receive a copy of our Minensota Weatherguide Calendar each year. On top of that, sustainers get all the other Freshwater member benefits, including access to key water news and info, invitations to special events, and a meaningful way to give back to the life-giving water that connects us!