Community Engagement

We connect people to the river and each other through community events, volunteer experiences, and education.

  • Community Events

    Our community events prioritize connecting neighbors and fostering relationships among residents. Through activities like a film festival that highlights environmental issues and workshops designed for inclusive engagement, we strive to bring people together and empower them to address local concerns collaboratively.

  • Volunteer Experiences

    Our volunteer program provides community members with hands-on opportunities to engage with and protect the local environment through various restoration and conservation activities. A key highlight is the annual watershed cleanup, which attracts many volunteers who come together to clean multiple sites, promoting a sense of community and environmental responsibility.

  • Education & Skill-building

    Our education and skill-building initiatives aim to enhance community awareness of environmental topics. We create inclusive spaces for underrepresented groups to learn valuable outdoor skills while building connections with others. Through various workshops and collaborations, we promote sustainable practices and encourage public participation in local environmental planning efforts.

Project Spotlight: Downstream Environmental Film Festival

The Downstream Environmental Film Festival celebrates the artistry of local, national, and international filmmakers who address critical environmental issues. Our eighth festival, taking place in February and March 2025 with the theme "Resilience," aims to raise awareness about water quality and connect communities through the power of film. Our initiative amplifies diverse voices and highlights the importance of caring for southern Minnesota's land, water, and habitats.

Volunteer Corps

Join the Volunteer Corps and make a meaningful impact on our environment! This hands-on program offers exciting opportunities like invasive species removal, seed sowing, and tree planting. Connect with passionate individuals, learn about conservation, and help improve water quality and biodiversity.

Each unique event lets you contribute to the community while growing your skills. Don’t just stand by—be the change you want to see!

Project Spotlight: Clean River Rangers

The Clean River Rangers Program, a collaboration between Clean River Partners and River Bend Nature Center, engages fourth and fifth-grade students in hands-on learning about stormwater health. By earning challenge badges for completing clean water tasks in their neighborhoods, students become ambassadors for stormwater pollution prevention.

Cannon River Watershed-Wide Cleanup

For over a decade, hundreds of volunteers from communities across the Cannon River watershed have dedicated a morning each fall to clean up area parks, rivers, and lakes. Our annual cleanup allows individuals to connect with nature and leaves the watershed in better shape than before, thanks to our volunteers' hard work and dedication.

Queer Unity, Environmental Education, and Recreation for Youth (QUEERY)

QUEERY is a free monthly nature club designed for queer and questioning middle and high school youth. This program provides a supportive environment where participants can learn outdoor skills, build community, and explore the connection between queerness and the natural world.

State Drinking Water Action Plan

During late 2023 and early 2024, Clean River Partners collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Health, Freshwater Society, UMN Water Resources Center, and several other local partners to gather community feedback on a ten-year Drinking Water Action Plan.

Our Partners in Community Engagement