Taggert and Tanya Medgaarden, along with their sons, Talan, 4, and Trace, 2, collect trash along the Cedar River near South Dreisner Park Saturday morning.

Photo project aims to inspire efforts on Cedar

The Cedar River Watershed District aims to inspire people to clean local waterways with a photo project.

CRWD is seeking 220 photos of different people enjoying or improving the Cedar River or its tributaries this year. Photos for the project must have been taken between April 2013 and October 2013 on or along the Cedar River in Minnesota or one of its tributaries, such as Dobbins Creek and Turtle Creek. The CRWD asks that each submitted photo include the names of those pictured, the date and location.

Fishing, boating, kayaking or canoeing along the Cedar River or its tributaries are sought for the project along with pictures of citizens removing litter from or walking and posing along the waterways.

“Many people enjoy and care for our local waterways,” CRWD administrator Bev Nordby said. “This photo initiative is a way to highlight those people while encouraging hopefully numerous others to get connected with the waterways, whether that be canoeing down the Cedar River, fishing on East Side Lake or some other activity.”

Kyle Petrik, 6, left, and his brother Alex, 9, pick up trash along the Cedar River near South Dreisner Park Saturday morning.

CRWD picked the number 220 to recognize the Vision 2020 Waterways Committee, which is working to improve the Cedar River and local waterways as part of an overall citywide betterment initiative. Vision 2020 Waterways is partnering with the CRWD to assist with the “Cedar 220” project this year. Austin photographer Nate Howard will also assist CRWD.

A photo album for the project and updates on the initiative will be offered on the CRWD’s Facebook page and website.

People can submit photos to the CRWD by posting on its Facebook page www.facebook.com/CedarRiverWD or by emailing bev.nordby@mowerswcd.org.