Charlie Rader updated us on the the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT), which has focused since 1993 on conservation and protection of the Kinnickinnic River and the watershed which feeds it.  Charlie's talk covered what KRLT has done over this time and where they are planning to go in the future.  He noted that this year is the 30th anniversary of the KRLT, a fact that will be celebrated (and should be!).

 

The mission of the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust is to work with the community to preserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed. The source of the Kinnickinnic is Casey Lake. The river covers 22 miles through Hammond, Roberts and River Falls. The estimated population of its 174 square mile watershed is 30,000 people.  The Kinnickinnic River is a class one trout stream that has not been stocked since 1974 and has 2,000 to 8,000 trout per mile. The area along the river is home to a diverse plant and animal population.

At our 12/20/22 meeting, Mark Klapatch-Mathias and Lauren Kaminski talked about Earth Fest and related sustainability-focused programs and groups in and around River Falls.  Mark Klapatch-Mathias is currently on the Hope for Creation Leadership Team, a member of the Systemic Solutions Committee, Co-Chair of Earth Fest 2023, and the Sustainability Coordinator at UW-River Falls. Lauren Kaminski has worked in the Community Education & Communications Department at the River Falls School District for 11 years. For Earth Fest, she is the Communications & Marketing chair.

 

The talk covered the first Earth Fest 2022 in April 2022 and Earth Fest 2023 which will be held on April 22 in Glen Park. Mark also explained Hope for Creation-River Falls.  Earth Fest is a FREE community celebration of the past, present, and future sustainability efforts in River Falls and the surrounding area.  Everyone is welcome.