Land & Water​

A person wearing a bright green shirt and blue shorts stands beside three colorful kayaks—red, blue, and green—resting on a new concrete boat ramp that slopes gently into a calm, tree-lined river. Two white pickup trucks are parked nearby, one with a small trailer stacked with more kayaks and orange life vests. Sunlight filters through leafy trees, casting dappled shadows on the water, while the opposite riverbank reflects green and gold tones of early autumn.

Water Enthusiasts Gain New Access to Cedar River State Water Trail

New public access in Mower County’s Lyle Township opens the Cedar River to more paddlers and anglers, highlighting a successful partnership among state, county and local conservation groups.

photo of sunset across body of water

Paddling the Mississippi River is a Grand Adventure!

Mississippi River expedition will be canoeing past southeastern Minnesota; details from the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.

A young woman (left) and a young man (right) stand on either side of a wide, rusted bridge railing and hold a container of water with a rubber tube coming out of the bottom of the container.

Conservation Conversation on Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Quality

Alison Leathers continues her Conservation Conversations with a report on the Fillmore County SWCD and its wide range of services for farmers and landowners.

A large screen behind a stage lined with people in chairs shows a womean sitting in a folding chair in her grassy yard.

Fillmore County Farmers Featured at Farm Aid 40

Local farming couple Vance and Bonnie Haugen were featured during the Farm Aid 40 events held in Minneapolis in September 2025. Root River Current‘s Julie Fryer was there.

people around table in conference room

Wilderness-Style Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Making Progress

An update on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail which is close to opening a couple stretches of this proposed 100-plus mile wilderness trail through Southeast Minnesota.

A man in waders stands knee deep in flowing river water just below a short dam. He is casting out a long line from his fishing pole and holding the line in one hand.

Proposed Lanesboro Riverfront Project Adds Access, Fishing and Trails

John Weiss learns more about a proposed project to upgrade the portion of the Root River that winds through Lanesboro.

An older man with gray hair, wearing a maroon tshirt with University of Minnesota in gold letters, stands on grass next to a field of corn that reaches well over his head. The sky behind the field is bright blue with white fluffy clouds.

Conservation Conversation with Farmer Duane Bakke

Alison Leathers reports on a local farmer’s conservation work including no-till planting. Part of a three-part series.

a thicket of white flowers

‘Highly toxic’ hemlock widespread in Upper Midwest

Poison hemlock can be a killer – and it could be in your backyard. Our colleagues with the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk report on how it’s spreading through the region.

A group of people gather on a large, elevated, circle structure covered by a roof. Signs with writing and images are positioned around the entrance stairway to the gazebo.

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.

apple branches

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.

A man wearing a gray tshirt with a large cloth glove on holds a tube sandwiches in a form. His other hand (out of the image) is pushing down on a plunger attached to the tube.

Liquid Willowcat Revolutionizes Walleye Fishing

John Weiss reports on a unique business venture that combines scent, color and a love for fishing.

A grassy hillside dotted with clumps of tall yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centers. Flowers are called Rudbeckia or Black-Eyed Susan.

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.

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