Freshwater Society

10/14/2026

Just one day left to cast your vote for Freshwater at: https://www.research.net/r/CommunityChoice2027

Thanks to Seward Co-op for the kind support!

Great news! Freshwater has been nominated as a finalist for the Seward Co-op 2027 SEED Community Choice vote!

If selected, SEED funding would support Freshwater’s Minnesota Water Stewards program, which develops community leadership for clean water, watershed health, and sustainable environmental practices.

Want to support Freshwater? Here’s how to vote:
• Vote online October 1–15
• You do not need to be a Seward Co-op owner to vote.
• You can vote once per day through October 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Vote for Freshwater: https://www.research.net/r/CommunityChoice2027

Learn more about the Community Choice SEED finalists and voting process: https://seward.coop/2027-community-choice-seed/

Every vote helps support community-powered work to protect Minnesota’s water. Thank you for supporting Freshwater!

10/13/2026

The Minnesota Water Resources Conference kicks off today, and Freshwater staff including Michelle Stockness, Carrie Jennings, Chyann Mosey and Seth Thompson will be presenting on several topics at this year's event:

💧 Investing in the Future Water Workforce (https://freshwater.org/waterworkforce/)

💧 Rural Health and Drinking Water (https://freshwater.org/rural_health_and_drinking_water/)

💧 Defining Water Risk for Minnesota (https://freshwater.org/2026/06/16/minnesota-water-risk-atlas-to-help-responsibly-site-large-water-users/)

💧 Mississippi River Gorge in Minneapolis-St. Paul/St. Anthony Falls Cutoff Wall Study (https://conservancy.umn.edu/items/ab053423-c3c5-4f7a-85b2-4069d783bd9d)

Check out the full list of conference sessions here: https://waterconference.umn.edu/

General Page Media The Minnesota Water Resources Conference is the premier event for Minnesota water resources professionals and one of the largest such gatherings in the nation. The conference brings together researchers, practitioners, and water resource professionals from across the state to shar...

10/12/2026

Today we honor the history, resilience, and rich cultural traditions of Indigenous communities here in Minnesota and around the world. May we continue to learn from, respect, and uplift Indigenous voices and knowledge.

Across many Indigenous cultures, water is viewed as a living relative. It nourishes our bodies, grows our food, connects all life, and flows through stories, songs, and ceremonies. Indigenous communities have long honored water as sacred, recognizing its power, memory, and spirit. Today, Indigenous communities continue to protect water for future generations, reminding us that water is life.

At Freshwater, we’re committed to creating more opportunities to learn from Indigenous science and ways of knowing. Through our Culturally Sustaining Environmental Education program, we’re working with educators, scientists, and partners to bring Indigenous perspectives into the classroom.

Water is Life. Happy Indigenous People's Day.

10/08/2026

Come work with us! We are seeking an energetic Program Director as Freshwater navigates an era of exciting growth. This position is a great collaborator with experience developing, leading, and growing support for teams leading education, engagement, and volunteer leadership programs.

Specifically, this position lives into Freshwater’s organizational values in support of our mission by:

💧 Engaging individuals and their networks and organizations, equipping them with knowledge, connection, and confidence, so they can use these tools as leaders to define water and climate- related issues within their communities.

💧 Building capacity within these communities for collaborative and inclusive conversations from which innovative and equitable solutions can emerge.

💧 Supporting community-led initiatives grounded in the unique perspectives and concerns of these communities.

💧 Collaborating within Freshwater through connected and complementary work to not only equip people as inspiring communicators and effective actors but clear pathways to scale up and connect community action to broader systemic and policy change.

💧 Expanding engagement to include those who have been marginalized yet are most affected by water and climate-related issues.

💧 Expanding collaborations with artists, culture bearers, and media to elevate the value of water.

💧 Proactively seeking funding opportunities and managing budgets.

💧 Supporting our team and supervising staff.

This is a full-time hybrid position, and candidates located throughout Minnesota are encouraged to apply. Applications submitted by October 27 will be included in a priority review.

View the complete posting at: https://freshwater.org/staff/employment/

10/08/2026

Has your town been approached about a new data center proposal? Are you wondering how to evaluate potential water and energy impacts?

Over the past year, University of Minnesota researchers from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, the Law School and UMN Extension have partnered with Freshwater and city administrators from Byron, Stewartville and Lewiston to develop research-backed tools for local governments in southeast Minnesota.

Learn more about this innovative toolkit at two upcoming events:

*In-person*
Friday, October 9, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Wood Lake Meeting Center
210 Woodlake Dr, Rochester, MN 55904
*Registration required, space is limited*
RSVP here: https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7VbfB0R98y4xq3c

*Online webinar*
Wednesday, October 14, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Zoom Link provided upon registration
*Registration required*
RSVP here: https://umn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y9sjm4OISxy5NGOcN_iIjg #/registration

Topics covered in the toolkit:
- Data centers and their potential energy and water impacts
- The regulatory environment surrounding data center development
- How data centers can be addressed in local codes
- Questions to ask when evaluating development inquiries and feasibility
- How to identify community priorities and incorporate them into responses to development inquiries

Note: The toolkit focuses on southeast Minnesota, but much of the information is relevant to local governments across Minnesota. Officials, staff and community members from throughout the state are welcome to attend.

10/02/2026

At this year’s Water Connects Us, art will inspire us to participate, reflect, and connect more deeply with water and one another.

Join Freshwater on Thursday, October 22, for artist-led experiences, spoken-word poetry, compelling stories, and a look at how we plan to bring more people into the work of protecting water in 2027.

Throughout the evening, guests will be invited to:

• Contribute to Weaving Water, a collaborative textile experience led by social practice artist Sarah Nassif
• Participate in an interactive poetry activity led by spoken-word artist Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre
• Explore art and photography from Freshwater’s archives, including past Weatherguide photos
• Bid on distinctive items and experiences in the silent auction
• Enjoy heavy appetizers from Chef Jeff, w**e from Rustic Roots Vineyard, b**r from Bucks Mill Brewing, and non-alcoholic beverages

During the program, Alex Van Loh will share how Minnesota Water Stewards uses art and creative initiatives to build community-based water leadership, while Minnesota Water Steward Michelle Spangler will share a personal perspective on the program’s impact and the power of art to inspire care for water.

They will be joined by:

• Michelle Stockness, Freshwater Executive Director
• Beth Carreno, Freshwater Board Member
• Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre, with a featured spoken-word performance

Guests will also get an early look at Freshwater’s plans for 2027, including new artist collaborations and community celebrations across the state designed to deepen people’s connection to water and inspire action to protect it.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Get yours here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026waterconnectsus/

We hope you'll join us for a memorable evening along the Mississippi River and be part of a growing community turning connection and care into action for water.

10/02/2026

10/01/2026

Freshwater Research and Policy Director Carrie Jennings will be joining painter and educator Elisabeth Heying for Geology & Artmaking in the Minnesota River Valley on Saturday, October 3, at Ney Nature Center in Henderson.

Carrie will explore the geological history of the Minnesota River Valley, followed by hands-on artmaking inspired by the region’s glacial sediments.

The workshop is free and open to adults, teens, and upper elementary-aged children. Registration is required, so reserve your spot today!

Learn more and register:

Youth, family, and adult programs, day camps, merch, and more! Register here for our environmental education classes and programs.

10/01/2026

Great news! Freshwater has been nominated as a finalist for the Seward Co-op 2027 SEED Community Choice vote!

If selected, SEED funding would support Freshwater’s Minnesota Water Stewards program, which develops community leadership for clean water, watershed health, and sustainable environmental practices.

Want to support Freshwater? Here’s how to vote:
• Vote online October 1–15
• You do not need to be a Seward Co-op owner to vote.
• You can vote once per day through October 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Vote for Freshwater: https://www.research.net/r/CommunityChoice2027

Learn more about the Community Choice SEED finalists and voting process: https://seward.coop/2027-community-choice-seed/

Every vote helps support community-powered work to protect Minnesota’s water. Thank you for supporting Freshwater!

09/28/2026

For Source Water Protection Week, we’re highlighting the importance of protecting the lakes, rivers, and groundwater that provide drinking water to Minnesota communities.

Freshwater contributed to the development of the Minnesota Department of Health Drinking Water Action Plan, a 10-year framework for ensuring safe and sufficient drinking water across the state. The Plan recognizes the importance of protecting both groundwater and surface water systems, including supporting the development and implementation of Source Water Protection Plans. This work is especially important for groundwater, which provides drinking water to about 75 percent of Minnesotans.

One of the Plan’s goals is to protect approximately 400,000 acres of land vulnerable to contamination within Drinking Water Supply Management Areas statewide by 2034. Protecting these areas can include land acquisition, long-term easements, incentives for water-protective farming practices, and land-use planning that benefits water quality.

Protecting groundwater and the land around our drinking water sources today helps ensure clean, safe water for Minnesota communities for generations to come.

Learn more about Minnesota’s Drinking Water Action Plan and source water protection: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/cwf/fdw.html