by Karyna Kloude, Minnesota GreenCorps member
Freshwater’s new Adopt a River program is up and running and already processing registrations for shoreline cleanups! Minnesota GreenCorps member Karyna Kloude is partnering with fellow Minnesota GreenCorps member Megan Reich (We Are Water MN) and others to organize a cleanup for Gilmore Creek in Winona on Sunday, April 24 in honor of Earth Day. The coordinators are excited for the opportunity to address Gilmore Creek’s litter problem. Snowmelt and April showers will bring in even more litter for the group.
To celebrate, the coordinators plan to offer donuts and put on macro-invertebrate demos for participants. If you are interested in joining the Gilmore Creek cleanup, contact Karyna for more information.
Get involved!
Cleanups like this one capture the mission and spirit of Adopt a River—to empower Minnesotans in their journey to becoming stewards and ambassadors of our state’s waterways, while having fun and learning about our ecosystem! The program welcomes anyone who wants to deepen their connection with water and with their local community. Whether it’s a one-time cleanup or an adoption (a commitment to clean multiple times), a stretch of the Mississippi or your neighborhood pond, participating in Adopt a River could be a unique experience for you and your group.
Adopt a River supports cleanups with new toolkit
Freshwater recently developed a toolkit to help volunteers tailor their cleanup experience to make it easier, more enjoyable, and more effective. The toolkit includes planning and safety guidelines and additional resources and tips to support volunteers in their cleanup adventures. At the end of the day, Adopt a River would not thrive without the help and interest of the members of our communities. So, consider planning your own cleanup, or adopting a stretch of shoreline if you’d like to go the extra mile! Learn more and register.