Cannon River Watershed Partnership
An environmental non-profit dedicated to inspiring people and organizations to value, protect, and improve the Cannon River Watershed’s land and water.
We are now Clean River Partners!
Check out our new website
Same mission. Same values. New name.
Thank you for the last 31 years and here’s to many more!
2021 Cannon River Watershed Partnership Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 13th
7:00-8:00 pm
via Zoom
Click Here to Join
CRWP Members, do you want to hear what’s new with CRWP? Want to weigh in on new board members and other changes at your favorite clean water nonprofit? Then join us online for what we hope will be our last online Annual Meeting.
Click Here to Join: us02web.zoom.us/j/86707008006?
Join by Phone (US) +1 253-215-8782 (passcode: 283270)
What’s Up With the Name Change?
In 2021, the CRWP Board of Directors is asking our members to vote to change the name of Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) to Clean River Partners. A name change is something that the CRWP Board of Directors has been discussing for several years. The process to explore options for rebranding has been in the works for more than a year, involving CRWP board members, staff, and a consultant.
The historical answer to the question “Why change your name?” is that having the word Watershed in our name often seems as though we’re a governmental body, like a Watershed District or a Watershed Management Organization and our member-led nonprofit is neither of those.
The response to the “Why now?” question is that the newly formed Cannon River Watershed Joint Powers Board (CRWJPB) which came into being in 2020 to implement the Cannon River Watershed Comprehensive Management Plan is a semi-governmental body, therefore we imagine the confusion over who and what CRWP is and does will be likely to increase, if we keep our current name. The world has changed since 1990 and our board members and staff have come to the suggestion that we need to adapt to these new conditions.
A Letter to CRWP Members
I’m delighted to announce that we will officially have the opportunity to change our name from Cannon River Watershed Partnership to Clean River Partners at our Annual Meeting on May 13. Because you have been such an important partner for the organization throughout the years, we wanted you to be “in the know” as we complete this transition. We did not make this decision lightly. CRWP has served us well for the past 30 years, but it was determined that there were better options to help us achieve our mission in the months and years ahead. A subcommittee of the Board did an excellent job of guiding us to this decision and the Board has ultimately approved the new name.
We have streamlined the name to Clean River Partners to allow us to invest more time helping people focus on our mission as opposed to explaining what our name means. The new name will be easier to remember and clearly focuses on our primary goal. We remain committed to all that our mission has to offer and we are excited for what the future will bring.
Clean River Partners will continue to work with other organizations and individuals to partner in making the Cannon and Straight Rivers and that land that surrounds them as clean as can be. We will continue to inspire people and organizations to value, protect and improve the land and water in the region. And, yes, we remain committed to building a community that protects our watershed and healthy soils and drinkable water.
We are proud of the 30-year history of Cannon River Watershed Partnership and we will honor that history by providing continuity as we advance the organization’s mission over the next 30 years under our new name of Clean River Partners. We want to continue partnering with you! Clean and healthy waters and lands are everyone’s responsibility. Please continue to do your part. We pledge to continue to support you and the community as we work to make our region the best it can be.
Again, thanks for all that you do on behalf of Clean River Partners. We hope you are as excited as we are about the new name and the changes it will mean for our future. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
Sincerely,
Kristi Pursell
Executive Director
P.S. I hope to see you at our Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 13, at 7:00 pm over Zoom!
Bylaw Changes and Board Member Elections
CRWP Members approve bylaw changes and elect board members at our May Annual Meeting. Please review this information and then cast your vote. Click this link to vote. Please vote using the email you gave us for your membership. The voting deadline is Thursday, May 13th, at 7:30 pm Central Time. If you have any questions, contact Executive Director Kristi Pursell at kristi@crwp.net
Bylaw Change for 5-13-21 CRWP Annual Meeting
Strike-Through Version CRWP_2021_Bylaws_Revision_DRAFT
The underlined text is new and replace the strike-through text.
The proposed Bylaw changes do two main things: 1) Change the name of the organization to Clean River Partners and 2) Make the Committee structure less prescriptive and open to Board direction
CRWP Board of Directors Candidates
The CRWP Board of Directors leads the organization by determining policies and priorities. Board Members serve a 3-year term. You can vote for up to 4 candidates in 2021.
PAUL CARLSON-DONOHOE
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Directors at CRWP? At my first CRWP Board Meeting I said that I was there because I didn’t want my future grandchildren to curse me for not acting. I now have a 1-year-old grandson, so my desire to serve has expanded. I want y grandchildren to experience the beauty and wonder of a clean river or stream–to be able to swim in a clear lake. Also, I want them to know that those that love them care enough about the watershed to act to preserve and protect it.
What experience or involvement have you had with CRWP? I have been a board member, a volunteer at clean-ups, a storm drain stencil team member, and a branding committee member. I have also been involved in a number of cover crop field trips.
Please describe any professional or volunteer experiences or interests that would be useful to CRWP? I’ve developed and taught an 8-week environmental ed. class for 5th graders at teh Leverett Elementary School in Leverett, MA. I’m a past member of the Northfield Environmental Quality Commission. I was a teacher for 6 years at the Cannon River STEM School, Faribault. Interests: Environmental Education, Photography
Paula K. Corsi
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Directors at CRWP? I would like to be able to have an impact on the water quality in the Cannon River Watershed, use the knowledge that was gained while going through the Master Water Steward program, and continue to work with the community to education on the issues that are faced and things that can be done to have an impact to improve water quality.
What experience or involvement have you had with CRWP? I have been a board member for 3 years, and volunteered with the organization for at least 4 years.
Please describe any professional or volunteer experiences or interests that would be useful to CRWP? I completed the Master Water Steward program in 2018, presented at a couple of lake association meetings for Rice Lake, one was at the annual meeting, fund raising breakfast, speaking about benefits of Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, and restoration of shorelines. I have an interest in native grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees and feel that works well with improved water quality. My career has been in insurance, I am currently a Director at a National Insurance Agency, and have responsibility in the following areas: budget, technology, operations, recruiting, training quality assurance and service.
Bill Jokela
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Directors at CRWP? I fully support the mission of CRWP to protect the water quality and natural systems of the Cannon River watershed. I would like to do more to contribute to that mission, and I think serving on the Board may be the best way to do that.
What experience or involvement have you had with CRWP? I have helped with CRWP Cannon River Clean-up events, and I’ve participated in the Kernza work group meetings as a potential grower. I provided input and review for a research grant Alan Kraus wrote to evaluate interseeding cover crops into corn with variable row spacing. I have attended CRWP-sponsored events, e.g. a fund-raising breakfast, open house, etc. I have also contributed financially beyond that required for membership.
Please describe any professional or volunteer experiences or interests that would be useful to CRWP? After growing up on a farm, I farmed full-time with my parents on our crop and livestock farm near Cannon Falls for two years before leaving to do graduate work in soil science and agronomy at the U of MN. I then worked as a soil scientist doing research, extension education, and/or classroom teaching at the University of Vermont and with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service in Wisconsin. My work included crop nutrient management and soil quality with a major focus on effects of agriculture on water quality and gaseous emissions. I retired and moved to Northfield about five years ago.
In Northfield I trained to become a Master Naturalist, and I volunteer regularly in the Carleton College Arboretum, helping with prescribed burns, native seed collection, etc
Erica Zweifel
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Directors at CRWP? Protecting and sustaining our natural resources is my number one passion in life. I am a big fan of using a watershed approach as the structure for working collaboratively to protect our land and water. I have reviewed your strategic framework and am excited to bring my expertise to this framework. Water is life.
I am particularly interested in climate adaptation and mitigation work, honoring diverse forms of knowledge and public education campaigns around protecting our watershed.
What experience or involvement have you had with CRWP? I am a member of CRWP and have participated in volunteer activities. As a city councilor I served on Northfield’s Riverfront Enhancement Advisory Committee with Kristi Pursell and I learned a lot about CRWP through her work on that committee. As part of my work at Carleton, I have assisted in connecting CRWP to students and faculty.
Please describe any professional or volunteer experiences or interests that would be useful to CRWP? I bring a lifetime of environmental stewardship to the board. I grew up in Oregon during the 70’s when all kinds of environmental stewardship was happening and I think it now runs in my blood. I have a BS in Botany and a love for native plants. I started serving on local boards in 2005 when I joined the founding board for the Cannon River STEM School in Faribault. I have served on the Northfield EQC (2007-8), Northfield City Council (2009-20), and the Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority (2011-20). I am a member of the Northfield Rotary club, the Greater Northfield Sustainability Collaborative and Northfield Area Community Solar. I regularly attend the Minnesota Climate Adaptation conferences at the UM.
I am employed by Carleton College where I work in the Center for Community and Civic Engagement as the assistant director for community impact. In addition to the community impact work with our community partners, I work with our Food and Environmental Justice cohort of students
Donate to CRWP!
The Cannon River Watershed Partnership is a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) organization that relies on support from our members to do our work for clean water. YOU can make a difference by becoming a CRWP member when you donate today!
All CRWP events happening this month. To go to our page for ALL events, click here.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRWP Board Meeting 6:00 pm CRWP Board Meeting May 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87523483324?pwd=MHNWYm9zd2l0NFFMOHJub0JYZENCUT09 (ID: 87523483324, password: 752464) Join by phone (US) +1 669-900-9128 Joining instructions: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://applications.zoom.us/addon/invitation/detail?meetingUuid%3DezrYR7qASG%252BNzc7DPJDs5w%253D%253D%26signature%3D6ca15ffcfd24c44e559ae4c90069b2b587773efa2b46f318f4b3113619f1b96a&sa=D&source=calendar&usg=AOvVaw2QRlFd7lmuVhc-aRB3S0wt Passcode: 752464 CRWP Annual Membership Meeting! 7:00 pm CRWP Annual Membership Meeting! May 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86707008006?pwd=aXcrNHdHSUJIQXdCeE1WNDljcVJzQT09 (ID: 86707008006, passcode: 283270) Join by phone (US) +1 253-215-8782 (passcode: 283270) Joining instructions: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://applications.zoom.us/addon/invitation/detail?meetingUuid%3DAvwZkHsNSYK5%252BAkTxNfqVQ%253D%253D%26signature%3D52d6a404a374dc37f46c47a5ecf2ed1fc8ef7366558604df5ac1eba7b2719f0d%26v%3D1&sa=D&source=calendar&usg=AOvVaw2yM4HmxMHaGiNgPl6LWNTw CRWP Board Meeting 8:00 pm CRWP Board Meeting May 13 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87523483324?pwd=MHNWYm9zd2l0NFFMOHJub0JYZENCUT09 (ID: 87523483324, password: 752464) Join by phone (US) +1 669-900-9128 Joining instructions: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://applications.zoom.us/addon/invitation/detail?meetingUuid%3DezrYR7qASG%252BNzc7DPJDs5w%253D%253D%26signature%3D6ca15ffcfd24c44e559ae4c90069b2b587773efa2b46f318f4b3113619f1b96a&sa=D&source=calendar&usg=AOvVaw2QRlFd7lmuVhc-aRB3S0wt Passcode: 752464 | ||||||
Your Land is Your Legacy Video
See how landowners are taking action for cleaner water and restored rivers, lakes, and prairies.
Read our latest news postings and e-newsletters on this page.
CRWP's Vision and Values
Cannon River Watershed Partnership is an environmental non-profit based in Northfield, MN dedicated to inspiring people and organizations to value, protect, and improve the Cannon River Watershed’s land and water. In order to serve the community in constructive ways, we focus on three core values: Resilience, Equity, and Engagement.
