The following is a press release from the Minnesota River Watershed Alliance.

Here, in the Minnesota River Watershed, there are many organizations, groups and individuals bringing attention to our little part of the world for both its positive aspects and also for what needs improvement.  One such group is the Mankato Paddling and Outing Club (MPOC).

The MPOC is a volunteer based group whose mission is to “canoe, kayak, bike tour, cross-country ski, camp, hike, backpack, and do a host of other outdoor activities, to network outdoor enthusiasts with people of similar interests.”  MPOC promotes personal safety and sound environmental practices, to educate people about the out-of-doors and improve personal outdoor skills.  Finally, the group works to create and maintain favorable conditions for outdoor activity.

To get an idea on how active members of the MPOC are, all you need to do is check out their Web site, www.hickorytech.net/~mrbscr.  Activities range from an annual river valley cleanup, monthly presentations, a summer picnic and paddles of all types and abilities.  Here are some of the activities for 2008:

• Saturday, April 12, 1 p.m.: First river trip of the spring on the Lower Maple.
• Weekends, April 12-13 and 19-20. The Million Tree Project will plant its first trees along Highway 14. Volunteer tree planters needed.
• Tuesday, April 15, 7 p.m. “The Native Tall grass Prairie” by Cathy Fouchi with video and discussion.
• Thursday, April 24, 5:30 p.m. Three Rivers Trip, from Red Jacket to Mankato, an easy float.
• Friday-Saturday, May 9-10. Annual River Clean-Up. We will clean up on land and on the water both days. This is the club’s main project and we need all the help we can get. Meet at the church Friday at 1 p.m., Saturday at 9 a.m. LeSueur River on Friday, Blue Earth Saturday.

         
MPOC has adopted a stretch of water on both the Le Sueur and Blue Earth rivers.  Every year, members and friends of MPOC try to do their part and help clean up the river by picking up debris in and on the sides of the river as well as cleaning up the launch areas.

For more information or to join the Mankato Paddling and Outing Club visit their Web site, www.hickorytech.net/~mrbscr or contact Warren Wagner at 507-388-7383.

The Minnesota River Minute highlights what is happening across the Minnesota River Watershed, courtesy of the Minnesota River Watershed Alliance.  This regular feature covers various aspects of the watershed including current events, history, natural characteristics, and much more.

The Minnesota River Watershed Alliance (Watershed Alliance) is an organized network of citizens, public agencies and private organizations dedicated to communicating the benefits of an ecology healthy Minnesota River Watershed to others and are actively working toward its improvement and protection.  The Watershed Alliance meets four times a year and encourages landowners and recreational users of the river to be part of this effort.