Month: February 2024

Each spring, the Mississippi River’s backwater streams gradually return to life across the Reno Bottoms south of Brownsville. (Photo by Ken Lubinski)

Essay | Spring Rising

Essayist Ken Lubinski reminds us we’re not the only ones awaiting spring.

The author fly fishing on the Root River. (Submitted photo)

Poetry | An Ode…A Shiver…A Loon

Lanesboro poet Becky Damron shares three poems with readers.

Musician Will Bjorndal offers a program of fun music and dancing for kids at Spring Grove Public Library, an example of SELCO and Legacy Funds at work. (Photo by Jana Halverson)

Libraries United: The Purpose and Power of SELCO

The third in a series of articles on libraries in the Root River valley. Steve Harris reports on SELCO—Southeastern Libraries Cooperating.

Pool 8, situated between locks and dams on either side of the Root River’s confluence with the Mississippi River, is a sprawling body of water providing wildlife habitat, boating, fishing and other recreational activities, as well as breathtaking blue and green hues as captured in this aerial photo by Houston County photographer Robert Hurt.

The Mighty Mississippi’s Locks and Dams — What and Why?

The Mississippi River’s locks and dams have changed the river’s natural flow. Madeline Heim explores their history and purpose.

Prairie strip vegetation in the middle of corn fields operated by Mower County farmer Wayne DeWall south of Grand Meadow, Minnesota. (Photo by Mower County SWCD)

Prairie Strips: Small Investment, Big Benefits

Prairie strip vegetation in the middle of corn fields operated by Mower County farmer Wayne DeWall south of Grand Meadow, Minnesota. (Photo by Mower County SWCD)

Tom Scarponcini, left, and Dean Thomas look over Scarponcini’s flock of Île-de-France sheep in September 2023. With technical advice from Thomas, a regional grazing specialist, and with assistance from NRCS, Scarponcini established a strip-grazing setup within 20 acres of a blufftop pasture: “We’re really here borrowing land from future generations.” (Photos by Ann Wessel, BWSR)

Area Sheep Producer Boosts Productivity with Rotational Grazing

Ann Wessel visits a sheep farm north of Rushford where rotational grazing improved productivity.

Sandhill Cranes along the Root River near Whalan. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Winter Thaw

Renee Bergstrom and John Weiss capture the changing season.

Natalie Vogel-Gabor, 5, of Winona, gets help from Dave Potts of Chaska, who volunteered to help teach youths to ice fish; this gathering in January was in recognition of the 100-year anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. (Photos by John Weiss unless otherwise stated)

Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge Turns 100

John Weiss attends a youth ice fishing event, the inaugural event celebrating the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge 100th anniversary.

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