Land & Water​

The Root River Trail is a tourist destination for recreationalists in southeast Minnesota. A six-mile trail expansion will extend the trail from Harmony to the Iowa border. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Trail Extension South of Harmony is Under Construction

Dave Shaffer reports on the bike trail extension to the Iowa border.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Retired geologist Jeff Broberg is framed in the doorway to his Winona County well house at his home near Elba. The water from his well exceeds the guidelines for nitrate contamination. (Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)</span>

Southeast Minnesota Runoff Pollutes Beyond Local Area

Southeast Minnesota’s nitrate pollution affects health and recreation beyond the local area; Madeline Heim traces its impacts to the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone”.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Staff with the Minnesota Department of Health welcomed well owners to a nitrate open house June 26th in Rushford. (Photo by John Torgrimson)</span>

Minnesota Officials Launch First Phase of Nitrate Mitigation Plan

The first phase of the Minnesota Department of Health’s nitrate mitigation plan for southeast Minnesota is underway. John Torgrimson has the latest.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">A timber rattlesnake utilizing woodland habitat. (Photo by Stephen Winter)</span>

Rattlesnake Responders Work to Bring Timber Rattlesnakes Back from the Brink

Hugh Gabriel goes on a timber rattlesnake rescue with the Minnesota DNR’s Rattlesnake Responders.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Nitrate pollution enters groundwater, streams and rivers through many sources including runoff from area agricultural fields. (Photo by John Weiss) </span>

Minnesota Nitrate Concerns Inspire Iowa Groups to Seek EPA Help

Southeast Minnesota’s nitrate pollution issues inform groups working to mitigate similar concerns in Iowa’s Driftless area.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Trees along the lowest part of Mill Creek were cut down a few months ago, but part of the trunks were left so the roots and lower trunk could be buried in the creek’s bank for trout habitat and to protect the shoreline from erosion. (Photo by John Weiss)</span>

Mill Creek in Chatfield Gets Partial Makeover

John Weiss explores the Mill Creek Trout Stream improvement project near Chatfield.

This equipment top-dresses nitrogen on the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council plots; its technology adjusts application rates on the go, to make these trials possible. Improving yields and using nutrients efficiently is the goal for landowner Jon East working closely with <a href="https://nutrienagsolutions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nutrien Ag Solutions</a> agronomist Scott Barnes, Harmony, Minn. Barnes has been a catalyst for bringing southeast Minnesota growers into on-farm plot research funded by the <a href="https://www.mda.state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/agricultural-fertilizer-research-education-council-afrec/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council</a> (AFREC). A 40 cent per ton fee paid by Minnesota farmers on all fertilizer sold in the state funds AFREC. The lion's share of the $1.2 million disbursed each year goes to the University of Minnesota, however a small portion is dedicated to on-farm plot research. "We use data from all these plots with growers," says Barnes. "They like these trials because the data is local."

Nitrate and Water Issue Proposals Addressed by 2024 Minnesota Legislature

Root River Current updates 2024 legislative issues regarding southeast Minnesota water issues, including a story by Minnesota Reformer reporter Madison McVan on a proposal that would levy a tax on fertilizer to offset farm pollution.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Production fields of Cardinal Flower and Meadow Blazing Star located outside of Spring Grove, Minnesota. (Photo by Shooting Star Native Seeds)</span>

Bold Vision, Deep Roots | Two Southeast Minnesota Nurseries Source Seed for Restoring Native Landscapes

Nancy North visits two bluff country nurseries both working to help restore native prairieland.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Marty Walsh, Lead Organizer of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail, hikes along the beginning of Lost Creek Hiking Trail near Chatfield. (Photo by Julie Fryer)</span>

The Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Gets Two Steps Closer to Reality

Julie Fryer visits with Marty Walsh, the lead organizer of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Hundreds of pelicans congregate in the backwaters of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The Mississippi Flyway is a migration route followed by tens of thousands of North America’s water and shore birds. (Photo near Alma, Wisconsin by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinal)</span>

Spring Migration | Things to Know About Our Region’s Mississippi Flyway

Madeline Heim chronicles the importance of the Mississippi Flyway for spring and fall bird migration.

The Root River on an autumn day inspires one to reflect on the beauty of nature. (Photo by Ella Deutchman)

Forest Bathing | Meditations on Sound and Movement

Ella Deutchman attends a forest bathing workshop led by artist Annie Hejny.

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.

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