Because they are:
- valuable spawning and fishing
spots
- wildlife feeding and nesting
areas
- shipping channels for commodities
- municipal and industrial
water sources
- a reflection of general
community health, and
- they are in need of your
care and protection.
|
The
Adopt-a-River program begins with the removal
of rubbish from and around public water. Through this program, you
will be introduced to these waters and see how you can clean, protect
and enjoy them.
Water stewardship is important
to the future of a state with 92,000 miles of flowing waters and
22,000 lakes and wetlands. Everything from kitchen appliances to
waste tires have appeared in our lakes and rivers, their banks and
flood plains. Shoreline rubbish washes in from streets, picnics
and past dumping. Still more is swept in by winds and floods.
The Adopt_a_Rvier Program
began in 1989 when an interagency task force realized that one-time
cleanups would never completely solve the problem of river rubbish.
You can make a difference!
We are inviting you to become
a "river keeper" to care for Minnesota's water by cleaning
up and keeping a portion of stream, river, ravine, lake or water
land. Research has shown that areas which have been cleaned of rubbish
are much less attractive for further "trashing."
Because of individual actions, many Minnesota rivers and their watersheds
which were once blemished have again become valued local resources.
We have witnessed the removal of many thousands of pounds of man-made
debris, thus encouraging further efforts to protect public waters,
making them safer for humans as well as wildlife.
The Adopt_a_River Program
needs devoted individuals of all ages and abilities to spark the
interests of others about the need for river clean-ups, and then
to organize volunteer efforts.
Your project can be as simple or
as complex as your time and imagination allow. Cleanup crews may
consist of a few friends or a large network of volunteers.
What resources are available?
We all give our volunteers free cleanup bags gloves, help with promotional
graphics and other assistance needed in planning the cleanup. You
can also borrow a short video explaining the need for such efforts.
After a cleanup, you will gain satisfaction
from a job well done. You will also be eligible to request a certificate
of recognition and a riverbank sign identifying your group. With
landowner permission, you can post the sign where it will show the
community that you care and are making a difference.
How do I start?
Find a river, ravine, lake, stream
or wetland that you believe could use your cleanup efforts. Register
with us and then commit to at least one clean up per year for at
least two years.
We will send you a "How to" kit to help start your river
clean-up project. Your kit will include everything you need to know
for a successful cleanup project. It will have an explanation of
the program the form to register your group and its chosen waterway
location, pointers for community organization and media contacts,
ideas about how to get involved in related preservation works and
other helpful information.
