Clean River Partners

Clean River Partners is a nonprofit organization based in Northfield, Minnesota, focused on protecting and improving the health of the Cannon River Watershed. Their mission is to inspire people and organizations to value, protect, and improve the Cannon River Watershed’s land and water. They work collaboratively with local communities, landowners, and partner organizations to promote sustainable land and water practices.

Clean River Partners mission aims to:

• Protect and restore water quality in the Cannon River and its tributaries.
• Promote sustainable land use practices.
• Engage communities in conservation and stewardship.

Key Projects and Programs

1. Water Quality Monitoring
   • They conduct regular water sampling and monitoring to track pollution levels and identify areas needing restoration.
2. Habitat Restoration
   • Projects include streambank stabilization, native prairie restoration, and wetland rehabilitation to improve habitat for wildlife and reduce erosion.
3. Community Engagement
   • Educational events, river cleanups, and citizen science programs help raise awareness and involve local residents in conservation efforts.
   • Clean River Partners has collaborated with St Olaf College to provide hands on learning
4. Agricultural Conservation
   • They work with farmers to implement best management practices (BMPs) that reduce runoff, improve soil health, and protect waterways

Collaboration

Clean River Partners collaborates with the Fishers & Farmers Partnership to:

• Support farmer-led conservation: They help farmers adopt practices like cover cropping, buffer strips, and nutrient management that benefit both agriculture and aquatic ecosystems.
• Restore fish habitat: By improving stream conditions and reducing sedimentation, they enhance habitats for native fish species.
• Build trust and collaboration: They facilitate dialogue between farmers, fishers, and conservationists to find common ground and shared goals.

News & Stories

• The Farmers Protecting Rice Creek Project
• Soil Health: Tillage vs No-Till Soil Revealed
• Your Land is Your Legacy
• Coming Together For the Sake of a Creek
• Fishers & Farmers Combines Sustainable Farming and Stream Management
• Fishers & Farmers Neighbor to Neighbor