Clean River Partners Launches Club to Support Queer Youth in Northfield and Faribault
This story was featured in the Faribault Daily News and Northfield News.
Northfield, MN - Clean River Partners is thrilled to announce the launch of a new club which will provide support and opportunities for queer and questioning middle and high school youth in Northfield and Faribault. The club, named QUEERY (Queer Unity, Environmental Education, and Recreation for Youth), will meet once a month and is designed to offer a safe space for young individuals to connect, learn outdoor skills, and explore the intersection of queerness and nature.
Volunteers propagate wild strawberries at Clean River Partners and Carleton Arboretum’s Plants for Pride event in Northfield on June 12, 2024.
Heron Mahr, trans non-binary naturalist and CRP Community Engagement Coordinator, will spearhead the club's activities, fostering an inclusive environment. QUEERY is made possible by funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ No Child Left Inside Grant Program, which supports programming connecting youth to the outdoors. The club aims to address the lack of environmental education and outdoor skill-building opportunities for queer and questioning youth in our rural area.
Young people interested in joining QUEERY can look forward to kayaking on the Cannon River, hiking in local parks, going on an overnight camping trip, volunteering at land restoration events, and learning about Indigenous land stewardship. These activities are specifically tailored to provide enriching experiences and to support the personal growth and environmental awareness of club members.
To support the initiative, Clean River Partners has started a fundraising campaign to meet the matching funds requirement for the No Child Left Inside Grant. The fundraiser has reached its halfway mark and is on track to raise $10,500. Community members are encouraged to show their support and make donations online at https://www.givemn.org/Crp.
Please visit the Clean River Partners website for more information about QUEERY and to contribute to the fundraising campaign. And if you know any queer or questioning youth who love spending time outside or are curious about the outdoors, recommend this club to them!
Contact: Heron Mahr
Clean River Partners
Email: heron@cleanriverpartners.org
Website: www.cleanriverpartners.org
