River Keepers

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River Keepers

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River Keepers provides opportunities for the community to LEARN about the Red River, help SUSTAIN it, and safely ENJOY it.

10/19/2026

During the River Meanders activity at the Red River Water Festival, students learn how sediment, plants, and flowing water interact to form stream/river channels and help form our topography.

Teacher comments included: "This one was awesome. The presenter did a great job! My students were fully engaged!" and "Fits great with our first chapters in both social studies and science. Students see the connections."

Led by Amy Cole, Eric Dahl, Jeff Miller and Tony Peterson, Cass County Soil Conservation District

10/17/2026

During the River Crime Lab activity at the Red River Water Festival, students become detectives and examine evidence of garbage in the river, create theories about how it got there, and ; develop a sense of citizenship and community as they figure out how to keep it out in the future.

Vocabulary words include: Nonpoint source pollution, storm water outfall, and storm drain.

Activity led by Mara DeRung, Clay County; Christine Goldader and
Peggy Amsbaugh, City of Fargo

10/16/2026

The Mallard Migration activity at the Red River Water Festival has students participate in a game that simulates ducks migrating utilizing wetlands as a safe haven that provide food, water, and nesting grounds.

Teacher comments included: "Great activity- very engaging!" and "The presenter was outstanding. My class really enjoyed her enthusiasm."

Activity led by: Kelly Tebben,

10/15/2026

There’s still time to sign up for Trash and Treat! 🎃 Dress up, clean up, and pick up your treats! Help SUSTAIN the Red River by participating in a cleanup between October 17 and November 1.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, each volunteer will receive a treat bag and can choose one of the following prizes, while supplies last:
* Admission to Lil Bitz Pumpkin Patch
* An All Access Day Pass to Fargo Climbing
* One free drink at Froth CoffeeHouse
* Admission to Red River Valley Fair’s Lost in the Valley

Want a chance to win a grand prize? Email us photos of your group members in their Halloween costumes during the cleanup for an entry into the grand prize drawing! The prize includes swag bags from River Keepers and Moorhead Parks and Recreation.

When: October 17–November 1

Where: Sign up to clean up one of the mapped sections of the Red River in Fargo or Moorhead. More details will be provided when registering.

How it works:
*Sign up for a cleanup, choose a section, sign an agreement form and pickup cleanup supplies
*Gather your group, enjoy a walk by the river cleaning up trash and show off your Halloween spirit! Costumes are encouraged, but please review all safety considerations when choosing your costume.
*Return your cleanup supplies and completed evaluation forms to receive your treat bags, while supplies last.
*Email us your costume photos for an entry into the grand prize drawing by November 1!

Ready to get outside, give back, and enjoy some Halloween fun? Sign up today by emailing [email protected] or calling 701-356-8915

Project Partners: River Keepers, Fargo Park District, and Moorhead Parks and Recreation

Sponsors: WM , , , , and .coffeehouse

10/14/2026

During the Life Box activity at the Red River Water Festival, students discover four essential factors needed to sustain life. Then they make their own life box necklace to take home.

Teacher comments included: "My students really liked the "Life Box". They had lots of questions for the presenter."

Activity leaders were: Graeme Wyllie, Concordia College; Jillian Patrie, Clay County I University of Minnesota Extension

10/13/2026

River Keepers mourns the passing of our first Executive Director, Steve Zaiser, who helped shape the organization and its early work to advocate for the Red River’s awareness, appreciation and stewardship.

Steve participated in the 1989 Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team study, which recommended creating an organization to speak for the Red River. During his time as Executive Director, beginning in 1990, he created Riverfront Days and the Duck Derby fundraiser in partnership with the Sertoma Club which brought many people to the banks of the Red River. Steve also worked with the cities and Fargo Park District to construct the M.B. Johnson boat ramp and install the floating bridge at D**e East, both of which were milestones for the community’s access to the Red River.

His contributions included several initiatives that continue to be part of River Keepers today including Race the Red canoe & kayak races, riverbank cleanups, and the first interpretive signs along the Red River in Fargo-Moorhead. Steve’s work helped lay the foundation for River Keepers and the programs that connect our community to the river through education, stewardship, and recreation.

We extend our condolences to his family and loved ones and recognize his contributions to River Keepers and the Red River community.

https://boulgerfuneralhome.com/obits/steven-zaiser/

10/12/2026

The Invaders activity at the Red River Water Festival has students participate in a game that simulates competition for habitat and resources while learning about aquatic invasive species.

Teacher comments included: "Students liked the game and really understood how invaders can start as a small problem and become a big one." and "They loved the presenter and the game!! It was a great connection to our Keystone Species unit."

Activity Leaders included: Dylan Jeral, Tony Nelson, and Alyssa Schill with Clay Soil & Water Conservation District; and Mike Bush, Concordia College.

10/11/2026

During the Incredible Journey activity at the Red River Water Festival, students become a water droplet and and roll dice to go through the water cycle. At each stop, they get a different colored bead so that they can see their journey through the water cycle.

Teacher comments included: "We reference this activity in our science class every year!" and The students enjoyed "being outside and getting to move while learning (incredible journey especially)"

Activity leaders included: Led by Alyssa Hauser-Johnson,
International Water Institute; David Marquardt, ND Project
WET; Jenn Sweatman, Concordia College; Shannon Thornton; and Yaping Chi, North Dakota Department of Water Resources.

10/07/2026

Dress up, clean up, and pick up your treats at this year’s new Trash and Treat event!

Show your Halloween and community spirit by dressing up and participating in a Red River Bank Cleanup in Fargo or Moorhead anytime between October 17 - November 1. All ages welcome.

How it Works and Prizes:
*Register for a cleanup near the Red River between October 17 – November 1. You choose the day, time frame, and a location near the Red River that works best for you (there are over 20 locations to choose from!)
*Group members are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes during the cleanup. Please read all safety considerations when picking out a costume.
*Evaluation forms and cleanup supplies must be returned.
*After the cleanup, schedule a time to stop by River Keepers, return supplies, and receive one treat bag per person, while supplies last.
*Photos of participants in costumes during the cleanup that are emailed to [email protected] will grant an entry into the grand prize drawing. Entries must be emailed by the end of the day on November 1. Winners will be announced and contacted on November 2.

To learn more and register: Please reach out to [email protected] or 701-356-8915.

Project Partners: River Keepers, Fargo Park District, and Moorhead Parks and Recreation

Sponsors: WM, Fargo Climbing, Red River Valley Fair, and Froth Coffeehouse

10/06/2026

The Blue River activity at the Red River Water Festival simulates the movement of water through the watershed. Each student becomes a part of the river and learns the parts of the watershed and what happens when the snow melts.

Teacher comments about this activity included: "loved the movement and inclusion" and "This is always a good illustration for the kids."

Activity leaders: Annie Wodarek, David Marquardt, Project WET facilitator, and Travis Seaborn, NDSU.

Address

1120 28th Avenue N, Ste B
Fargo, ND
58102

Telephone

+17012352895

Website

http://www.riverkeepers.org/

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