LEWISTON, Minn. — The public is invited to learn via fun, hands-on activities about the connections between clean water, fishing and sustainable farming Saturday, July 12, during a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) event at Farmers Park near Lewiston (23274 Arches Road). The “Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters” event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For details and to reserve a spot, click here or contact LSP’s Kate Rowe at krowe@landstewardshipproject.org, 507-523-3366. 

This event is being held to mark the three-year anniversary of a major fish kill in southeastern Minnesota that spawned citizen action and led to new public policy around how such events are reported. Activities include:

• Fly fishing demonstration led by Minnesota Trout Unlimited (TU) and LSP member, Lee Stoe. TU will provide extra fly rods and the demo will be on land; no need for waders.
• Minnesota Trout Unlimited and Izaak Walton League staff and members will be leading macroinvertebrate sampling of Garvin Brook and discussing what these critters tell us about the health of the stream.
• The Savanna Institute’s Jenn Ripp will offer information about riparian buffers.
• There will be a discussion about how regenerative farming systems can support healthy soil and clean water. 
• Participants will have an opportunity to take action to help prevent future fish kills by sharing how they think the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Animal Feedlot Rule should be strengthened. 
• Farmers Park is a great spot for birding; participants are encouraged to bring binoculars.
• Participants are welcome to bring their own snacks or picnic lunch; food will not be provided at this event.

LSP is partnering with several community groups for this event, including Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, the Izaak Walton League, Food & Water Watch and the Savanna Institute.

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 The Land Stewardship Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to an ethic of stewardship for farmland, promoting sustainable agriculture and developing healthy communities. LSP has offices in the Minnesota communities of Lewiston, Montevideo and South Minneapolis. More information is at landstewardshipproject.org.