Land & Water

Citizen Working Group Releases Nitrate Report
John Torgrimson covers the release of 2025 recommendations by a regional work group to address nitrate issues in Southeast Minesota.

A Warming Climate is Changing Growing Conditions
With average temperatures rising, planting zones are slowly working their way northward through the Upper Midwest; Olivia Cohen reports from the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.

Liquid Willowcat Revolutionizes Walleye Fishing
John Weiss reports on a unique business venture that combines scent, color and a love for fishing.

In La Crescent, HELP Grant Sparks Community, Habitat Connections
Ann Wessel reports on new native planting and pollinator habitat projects created in La Crescent through state and local funding programs.

Speak Up, Speak Out – and Listen
Water quality, e-bikes and a new “talking trail” are all In the News in June. John Gaddo has details on how Root River Current readers can speak up, speak out – and listen!

Hundreds of Shrubs to Protect Vesta Creek Streambank
John Weiss joins a crew of volunteers and conservation groups on a planting project to restore Vesta Creek’s floodplain with native and climate-adapted shrubs.

Chert Quarry Near Grand Meadow Was Historic Social Center
A historic Grand Meadow-area site was both a quarry and a seasonal crossroads for neighboring Indigenous people. Check out part II of David Phillips’ reporting.

High Schoolers Learning from Trout
John Weiss checks back in with Rushford-Peterson students as they complete their Trout in the Classroom project with a stream release.

Chert Quarry Near Grand Meadow is Rare, Lucky Find for Archaeologists
In the first of two stories, David Phillips reports on a rare archaeological find near Grand Meadow and visits with the archaeologist who’s been leading the research in recent years.

The Bridges of Fillmore County
John Weiss tours the bridges of Fillmore County with the crew who keep them in good shape.
