Freshwater Society

Freshwater's World Water Day Celebration
2026-03-24 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Back Channel Brewing Co., 4787 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN, 55384, United States
Join us for Freshwater’s 2026 World Water Day Celebration, a gathering to celebrate the importance of protecting water in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and beyond!
About the event
This year’s theme — Celebrate Water, Celebrate Community — invites people across Minnesota’s water community to connect, learn, and celebrate together. We welcome Freshwater members and all champions of water conservation to join us for an evening of camaraderie, joy, and fine beverages along the banks of Lake Minnetonka, not far from where Freshwater was originally founded.
This year’s event will be held Tuesday March 24th, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Back Channel Brewing in Spring Park, Minnesota. Back Channel Brewing will be donating 5% of net beer sales to support Freshwater’s work through its Community Tuesdays program. Back Channel Brewing will also have the Red Rocket Pizza Company food truck on site during the event.
This event is free and open to all. Please RSVP below to make sure you receive event updates and reminders.

PFAS Cleanup Conversation
2026-04-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Urban Growler Brewing, 2325 Endicott Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
The University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences (CBS) will tackle the subject of how to address PFAS contamination in water for their April 29 Petri Dish educational series event. Freshwater Programs Director Seth Thompson will moderate a panel of experts to learn about promising approaches to reducing our exposure to these chemicals and removing them from our environment.
Panelists:

Cara Santelli, Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Science and Engineering
Matt Simcik, Professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences in the School of Public Health
Larry Wackett, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, College of Biological Sciences

Cost: Tickets are $5 or free for U of M students and CBS alumni
Register here!

Woodcrest Creek Biochar/Iron-Enhanced Sand Filter Site Visit
2026-05-07 14:30 - 16:00 | Wintercrest Park, 10300 Woodcrest Dr NW, Coon Rapids, 55433, United States
Join us for a site visit of Coon Creek Watershed District’s Woodcrest Creek Biochar/iron-enhanced sand filter followed by an optional happy hour at Muddy Cow in Coon Rapids from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Our Blue World Film Screening
2026-05-13 17:30 - 19:30 | University of St. Thomas Owens Science Hall, 39 Cretin Ave. S. #29, Saint Paul, MN, 55105
Join Freshwater and the University of St. Thomas for an evening of multidisciplinary insight and cinematic inspiration as we explore the evolving relationship between humanity and water. The event will begin with a Student Visionary Reception, featuring final projects from St. Thomas students across engineering, theology, and sustainability departments.
Following the reception, we will host a screening of the documentary Our Blue World. The film explores humanity’s profound relationship with water and reveals how human agency can help rebalance the planet’s water systems. By taking a deep dive into the lives of dynamic and visionary people around the world, this beautiful, eye-opening and moving film sets out to reveal our profound relationship with water and its role as the nourishing life force for all that lives on this planet.
This event is free and open to all.

RSVP to attend this event

2026 Legislative Session Wrap-up
2026-06-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Lake Monster Brewing, 550 Vandalia St #160, St Paul, 55114, United States
Join Freshwater for a casual, post‑session happy hour gathering focused on what the 2026 Minnesota Legislature delivered on water—and what it means moving forward.

This event will bring together policymakers, state agency leaders, students, and community partners to unpack key outcomes from the legislative session and discuss how Minnesota can stay ahead on emerging water challenges. Held shortly after adjournment, the program offers a timely opportunity to reflect on what passed, who helped shape it, and how these decisions affect communities, infrastructure, ecosystems, and economic growth.
Topics will include:

Data centers and large water user regulations
Support for safe drinking water
Support for water infrastructure

The evening will feature a short program starting at 6:00 PM, followed by time to connect with others working on water policy across the state.
Whether you’re shaping policy, studying its impacts, or working at the intersection of water and development, this event offers a valuable snapshot of where Minnesota stands—and where it’s headed.
Learn more about Freshwater’s Legislative Priorities: Policy – Freshwater Society

Event Details

Date: June 4, 2026
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM; Program at 6:00 PM
Location: Lake Monster Brewing 550 Vandalia St #160, St Paul, MN 55114
Format: Casual gathering with a short program at 6pm, followed by networking
Cost: Free and open to all, RSVP requested

RSVP to attend this event
