Winter Sunset in Lake Superior Photographer: Engymari citation

Minnesota River Weekly Update December 30th , 2014 STATE PARKS KICK OFF NEW YEAR WITH FIRST DAY HIKES (Released December 22, 2014) A New Year’s Day activity, known as a First Day Hike, is being offered at seven Minnesota state parks Jan. 1. First Day Hikes will take place in Minnesota at: n (Hastings), 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. n (Carlton), 1-2:30 p.m. n State Park (Bemidji), 10-11:30 a.m. n (Alexandria), 1-2:30 p.m. n (Mankato), 10-noon. n (Silver Bay), 1-4 p.m. n (Altura), 1-3 p.m. All 50 states are participating in the fourth annual national event that invites people to celebrate the new year with guided outdoor adventures. Last year, more than 27,000 people walked 66,000 miles on 885 hikes in state parks across the country. A vehicle permit is required to enter Minnesota state parks ($5 for a one-day permit or $25 for a year-round permit). Those who don’t already have a Minnesota state parks vehicle permit can purchase one at any of the parks. For more information, visit the parks and trails online calendar or contact the DNR Information Center at [email protected] or 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Participants are encouraged to share their adventures on Twitter with hashtag #FirstDayHikes. cite: http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/ DNR SOLICITS PARK AND TRAIL GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR 2015 (Released December 22, 2014) The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division is now accepting applications for the following grant programs: outdoor recreation, local trail connections, federal recreational trails and regional trails. These grant programs help local governments throughout the state create partnerships with the DNR to fund recreation opportunities. The application due dates are Feb. 27 for the Federal Recreational Trail Grant Program and March 31 for the other programs. The DNR anticipates that both federal and state funding will be available during 2015 for these programs. Program and application information is available on the recreation grants page of the DNR website. For more information: n Contact the grants staff listed online. n Call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. n Send questions via email to [email protected]. cite: http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/

ARTICLES

Tracing the course of phosphorus pollution in Global warming positions vary in meteorological Lake Pepin poll Nov.11 2014. Dec. 20, 2014 Ken Doyle, American society of Agronomy Arlin Super, St. Cloud Times In recent years, many lakes in the upper Over 7,000 members were contacted and 26% Midwest have been experiencing unprecedented responded to each survey. AMS members should algae blooms. These blooms threaten fish and generally be more knowledgeable about global affect recreation activities. A key culprit warming than other professional society members implicated in overgrowth of algae in lakes is or the public. Much more detail can be found in phosphorus (P). Lake Pepin, located in the surveys available online. Minnesota/Wisconsin border, has seen increasing P concentration over time. Researchers are now trying to identify upstream factors that could explain the increase.

Xcel gets 427 solar garden applications in Great lakes wolves ordered retuned to endangered Minnesota list Dec.21, 2014 Dec.19, 2014 David Shaffer, Minneapolis Star Tribune Dan Kraker, MPR news Solar gardens are large, centrally located A federal judge has ordered that endangered species protection for gray wolves must projects with hundreds or thousands of solar immediately be restored in Minnesota, Wisconsin panels. They are built and operated by energy and Michigan. The decision puts an end to developers under 25-year power-sales contracts controversial hunts in MN and WIS. with Xcel. Subscribers sign contracts with solar Read article update Dec.22,2014 gardens, paying up front or over time for a Steve Karnowski and Elizabeth Dunbar share of output. MPR News Experts says Great lakes wolves aren't endangered & Minnesota ranchers want wolves off endangered list response to federal judge for more details.

Aitkin County gets swamped by state wetlands Finding Common ground to protect freshwater rules Dec. 21, 2014 Dec. 20, 2014 Duane M. Elling, East Village Magazine Tony Keennedy, Star Tribune Beneath the lovely lakes and lush woods of Aitkin count soil scientist Becky Sovde Northern Minnesota lies the Duluth Complex, one understands that Minnesota's wetlands are vital of the world's largest deposits of copper and nickel. for absorbing pollutants, recharging aquifers, A controversial proposal in 2006 to tap those storing floodwater, harboring wildlife and deposits stoked a unique collaboration of local and filtering drinking water. But these days her regional groups that today continues to bring county is getting fed up! scientific rigor and community engagement to the public debate over mining.

EVENTS

Jan. 3 - Jan. 10 Minnesota Apple Growers Association Annual convention and Trade show Jan 6-8th 2015 Location: La Crosse Center, WI Brief Description: The Minnesota Apple Growers Association invites you to their Trade show! This year's convention featured many exhibit booths full of tools, supplies, and new apples varieties to help growers prepare for the next growing season. The event was highlighted by presentations by researchers and professors from Cornell, Michigan State, and the University of Massachusetts.

Contact: [email protected] for more information.

Jan. 11- Jan. 18 Chick in the Sticks! January 16, 2015 Location: Springbrook Nature Center Brief Description: Get active this winter! Grab the girls and let's go snowshoe! Our evening start with a little learning- about snowshoe. Then we'll venture out for a luminary lit hike in the woods. There will be surprises alin the way and tasty morsels back at the Building. Bring your own snowshoes or rent a pair for $5.00. This program is designed for women 16 and older

For more information contact : [email protected]

Grass Work Conference January 15-17, 2015 Location: Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI Brief Description: For the past 25 years, GrassWork has been a hub of grazing education in the state, coordinating the annual Grazing Conference serving as a clearinghouse for local grazing networks and publishing resource materials on managed grazing. Link to brochure For more information click here

Jan. 19- Jan. 25 Minnesota Pork Congress 2015 Janurary 21-22, 2015 Location: Brief Description: Minnesota Pork Congress is the Midwest's BEST swine specific tradeshow and education events that features a wide variety of tradeshow exhibitors, timely seminars an social activities designed exclusively for pig farmers and pork industry stakeholders.

click here for more information

Jan 26.- Feb. 1 MN AG Expo January 28-29, 2015 Location: Verizon Wireless Center- Mankato, MN Brief Description: The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) will once again be teaming up to put on the MN AG EXPO 2015!! Together we will be bringing together Minnesota's best farmers, the top AG researchers from institutions like the University of Minnesota, and our state's leading agribusiness companies for two days of grassroots policy development, educational sessions and networking opportunities. Make plans now to join us and don't forget your cowboy boots!

Click here for more information

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Microbiologist

Department Department of Health and Human Service

Closing Date March, 19th, 2014

Location(s) Minneapolis, MN

Who May Apply All qualified job seekers

Responsibilities l Evaluate Data collection, quality control and data utilization methods used to study emerging public health problems and issues. l Provide scientific advice and consultation l Evaluate and perform a variety of laboratory tests and processes. l Design, plan and initiate scientific studies, surveillance activities, surveys and investigations in the field of emerging public health problems and issues. l Comply with all ethical guidelines for scientific and human subjects research. For more information click here

Wild land Firefighter

Department Dept. of The interior Closing Date February 3, 2015

Location(s) International Falls, MN Who May Apply All qualified job seekers Responsibilities A wild land firefighter performs assignments as a wildland firefighter in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology; may assist in more specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout, mobile and

stationary engine attack; construction of helispots, helitack operations,

and performing hover hookups.

For more information click here

"Try to leave Earth a better place than when you arrive." - Sidney Sheldon Please register at the Minnesota River Watershed Alliance’s bulletin board at http://mail.mnsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/mrwa/ to receive regular updates on what is happening in the Minnesota River Basin.