An overflow of cleanup efforts; Plenty of ways for public to support waterways
Published 9:42 am Thursday, April 28, 2016
A photo from 2014 showing a Conservation Corps of Minnesota crew that helped with the CRWD’s tire-removal initiative as part of the local Adopt-A-River program. At that time, more than 1,100 tires had been removed since 2011 from the Cedar River in Mower County. Photo provided
By Tim Ruzek
Fields, Rivers & Streams
More than 1,100 tires have been removed since 2011 from the Cedar River in Mower County.
That’s a statistic all of us at the Cedar River Watershed District and Mower Soil & Water Conservation District can never seem to get over. Huge accomplishment but also a major downer that littering even existed at that level.
Knowing the Cedar had been getting neglected for many years, the CRWD started a local Adopt-A-River initiative in 2011 that has led to dozens of volunteers removing tons of garbage and debris from our Cedar River State Water Trail.
Cleaning up our waterways — whether you’re wading in the water or walking the shorelines to remove items — is a great way for citizens to give back and make a difference in our community.
Tim Ruzek is the water plan & outreach coordinator for Cedar River Watershed District/Mower SWCD
CRWD again is seeking volunteers to adopt stretches of the Cedar River and other local waterways, including Dobbins Creek, Turtle Creek and Wolf Creek. We help volunteers plan their cleanup’s logistics and try to connect them with the necessary resources. CRWD then works with the city or county on picking up the removed items and the CRWD pays for their proper disposal.
This year, we have had a great level of interest in returning volunteers and new helpers. Contact the CRWD for more information on available cleanup routes to adopt.
10th annual Community Pride Day cleanup
You also can help clean up our waterways and public places this Saturday by volunteering for the city of Austin’s 10th annual Community Pride Day cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers can show up at the Austin VFW Club, 300 Fourth Ave. NE, before 9 a.m. for coffee, hot cocoa and doughnuts before getting cleanup assignments and trash bags.
Mower SWCD/CRWD will volunteer with the cleanup, driving a truck around for loading garbage bags from the various sites.
Cedar River-themed art gallery
River cleanups help beautify our waterways but you also can show your support of our natural resources by capturing their beauty through art, such as a photograph, drawing or painting.
For the first time, CRWD is co-sponsoring a gallery at Austin ArtWorks Center to showcase work featuring water at a specific location within the Cedar River Watershed. The scene could be on the Cedar River or any of its tributary creeks and streams within Minnesota.
Amateur and professional artists and photographers can submit work by May 6 to the Austin ArtWorks Center, which will make all final decisions. Participants can choose to put their work up for sale during the gallery, with ArtWorks receiving 30 percent of each sale.
On May 20, ArtWorks Center will host an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the CRWD.
Overflow
•Cedar River Canoe & Kayak Rental Service — the only outfitter listed on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website for the Cedar River State Water Trail — is open for its first, full rental season. Brian and Dorothy Pirmantgen of Austin offer rentals with dropoff/pickup services from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Check out their page on Facebook.
•I serve as co-chair of the Austin Vision 2020 Waterways Committee. If you’re interested in joining our group or passing along an idea, please contact me at tim.ruzek@mowerswcd.org.
•A Minnesota DNR crew floated the Cedar River on April 13 and hope to do another in late May to find and remove hazards for canoeists and kayakers. This extra DNR attention is due to the CRWD getting the river designated in 2011 as a State Water Trail.
•We are nearing 500 “Likes” for our CRWD Facebook page — www.facebook.com/CedarRiverWD. We’d love to see you post pictures — old and new — to our page related to the Cedar River and other local waterways.
Mower SWCD provides technical assistance to landowners with conservation practices that protect land and water resources. SWCD also performs the duties of the Cedar River Watershed District to improve water quality and reduce flooding. This monthly column by Mower SWCD/CRWD typically runs the last Thursday of each month. For more, visit the Mower SWCD and CRWD websites and Facebook pages. Questions and comments can be sent to tim.ruzek@mowerswcd.org.
