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Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast from We Are Water MN. In this episode, we’re joined by Brett Ostby, a biologist who works with endangered species, with a special focus on freshwater mussels. Brett explores how human activity has reshaped the way our rivers function, and what those changes mean for the wildlife that depends on them. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted by Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo in Byron from February 24th to April 20th, 2026. You can learn more about We Are Water MN at We Are Water MN - Minnesota Humanities Center Special thank you to Mumble Media, who conducted our interviews for Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. Thank you to Brett Ostby, our interviewee for this episode. We are Water MN is a project of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook, Instagram, and, TikTok where you can follow along for the latest updates! Music Credits: Calm Water Sound Meditation from https://pixabay.com/music/meditationspiritual-calm-water-sound-meditation-402559/

Thank you for listening to The Watershed! This podcast is produced by We Are Water MN, a traveling exhibit and community engagement initiative. In 2026, the exhibit will visit five communities throughout the state of Minnesota: Byron (Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo), St. Paul (Capitol Region Watershed District), Park Rapids (Itasca State Park), Little Falls (Great River Arts), and Blaine (Anoka County Library). Learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. We Are Water Minnesota is led by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Humanities Center, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the University of Minnesota Extension.  We Are Water Minnesota is funded by the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment fund, which was created by the vote of the people in Minnesota on November 4th, 2008.   You can find We Are Water MN on⁠ Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, & TikTok, where you can follow along for the latest updates! Music: Calm Water Sound Meditation from Pixabay

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from former hosts & MN GreenCorps members; Megan Reich, Arden Sasak & Angela Hugunin. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Henderson from August 14, through October 6, 2025. The exhibit will be on display at the Ney Nature Center. After Henderson, the exhibit will move to Bloomington at the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge. You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Special thanks to the MN GreenCorps program, the initiative that helps make this podcast possible.   You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook, and Instagram, follow along for the latest updates! This episode of The Watershed was produced by Sienna Ecker, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music credits: Gymnopedies 2, Jadie Grange, Gymnopedies 1 by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue ).

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from outfitting guide, and activist Peta Barrett. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Ely from April 24, through June 16, 2025. The main exhibit will be at the Ely Community Hub, while additional indoor exhibits will be on view at Ely Folk School. After Ely, the exhibit will move to Minneapolis (Downtown Improvement District), Henderson (Ney Nature Center), and Bloomington (MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge). You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Ely’s hosting of the exhibit, plus related events on the MPCA website. You can find more on Ely here. Special thanks to Peta Barrett, our interviewee for this episode.   You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook, and Instagram, follow along for the latest updates! This episode of The Watershed was produced by Sienna Ecker, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music credits: Gymnopedies 2, Jadie Grange, Gymnopedies 1 by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue ).

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from scientist and activist Lisa Pugh. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Ely from April 24, through June 16, 2025. The main exhibit will be at the Ely Community Hub, while additional indoor exhibits will be on view at Ely Folk School. After Ely, the exhibit will move to Minneapolis (Downtown Improvement District), Henderson (Ney Nature Center), and Bloomington (MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge). You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Ely’s hosting of the exhibit, plus related events on the MPCA website. You can find more on Ely here. Special thanks to Emma Needham, who conducted this interview, which was initially featured in Ely's hosting. Thank you to Lisa Pugh, our interviewee for this episode.   You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook, and Instagram, follow along for the latest updates! This episode of The Watershed was produced by Sienna Ecker, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music credits: Gymnopedies 2, Jadie Grange, Gymnopedies 1 by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue ).

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from community member Nancy Hernesmaa. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Ely from April 24, through June 16, 2025. The main exhibit will be at the Ely Community Hub, while additional indoor exhibits will be on view at Ely Folk School. After Ely, the exhibit will move to Minneapolis (Downtown Improvement District), Henderson (Ney Nature Center), and Bloomington (MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge). You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Ely’s hosting of the exhibit, plus related events on the MPCA website. You can find more on Ely here. Special thanks to Emma Needham, who conducted this interview, which was initially featured in Ely's hosting. Thank you to Nancy Hernesmaa, our interviewees for this episode.   You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook, and Instagram, follow along for the latest updates! This episode of The Watershed was produced by Sienna Ecker, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music credits: Gymnopedies 2, Jadie Grange, Gymnopedies 1 by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue ).

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from community members Jason Frank and Neva Foster. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Big Stone County from March 15 through April 21, 2025. The main exhibit will be at the Alley Cat, while additional indoor exhibits will be on view at Ortonville Public Schools. After Big Stone County, the exhibit will move to Ely (Ely Folk School), Minneapolis (Downtown Improvement District), Henderson (Ney Nature Center), and Bloomington (MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge). You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Big Stone County’s hosting of the exhibit, plus related events on the MPCA website. You can find more on Big Stone County here. Special thanks to Chandra Colvin, who conducted this interview, which was initially featured in Big Stone Arts Council’s hosting. Thank you to Jason Frank and Neva Foster, our interviewees for this episode.   You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook,and Instagram, follow along for the latest updates! This episode of The Watershed was produced by Sienna Ecker, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music credits: Gymnopedies 2, Jadie Grange, Gymnopedies 1 by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue ).

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from community storyteller Judy Beckman. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Big Stone County from March 15 through April 21, 2025. The main exhibit will be at the Alley Cat, while additional indoor exhibits will be on view at Ortonville Public Schools. After Big Stone County, the exhibit will move to Ely (Ely Folk School), Minneapolis (Downtown Improvement District), Henderson (Ney Nature Center), and Bloomington (MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge). You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Big Stone County’s hosting of the exhibit, plus related events on the MPCA website. You can find more on Big Stone County here. Special thanks to Chandra Colvin, who conducted this interview, which was initially featured in Big Stone Arts Council’s hosting. Thank you to Judy Beckman, our interviewee for this episode.   You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook,and Instagram, follow along for the latest updates! This episode of The Watershed was produced by Sienna Ecker, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music credits: Gymnopedies 2, Jadie Grange, Gymnopedies 1 by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue ).

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from Brent Olson, a writer, former farmer and county commissioner. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Big Stone County from March 15 through April 21, 2025. The main exhibit will be at the Alley Cat, while additional indoor exhibits will be on view at Ortonville Public Schools. After Big Stone County, the exhibit will move to Ely (Ely Folk School), Minneapolis (Downtown Improvement District), Henderson (Ney Nature Center), and Bloomington (MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge). You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Big Stone County’s hosting of the exhibit, plus related events on the MPCA website. You can find more of Brent’s story here. Special thanks to Chandra Colvin, who conducted this interview, which was initially featured in Big Stone Arts Council’s hosting. Thank you to Brent Olson, our interviewee for this episode. If you are curious about becoming a citizen scientist… CoCoRaHS MNGage, Check out the Climate Office’s website ! Conservation Reserve Program   You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook,and Instagram, follow along for the latest updates! This episode of The Watershed was produced by Sienna Ecker, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music credits: Gymnopedies 2 by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue ).

Thank you for listening to The Watershed! This podcast is produced by We Are Water MN, a traveling exhibit and community engagement initiative. In 2025, the exhibit will visit five communities throughout the state of Minnesota: Ortonville (Big Stone Arts Council), Ely (Ely Folk School), Minneapolis (Safe & Vibrant Downtown, Downtown Improvement District), Henderson (Ney Nature Center), and Bloomington (Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge). Learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. We Are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook & Instagram , where you can follow along for the latest updates! Music: Dust Digger & Hedgehog Wallace, Blue Dot Sessions

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from Jeffrey Harper, water resources manager for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe's division of resource management. Harper shares community concerns surround PFAS, including background on these substances, stories, and his team's efforts to address them. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted by Leech Lake Tribal College at their Bezhigoogahbow Library in Cass Lake from August 15 through October 6, 2024. From there, it will move to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. This episode of the Watershed was produced by Angela Hugunin, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Special thanks to Emma Needham, who conducted our interviews for Leech Lake Tribal College. Thank you to Jeffrey Harper, our interviewee for this episode. You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook (⁠https://www.facebook.com/wearewatermn/⁠), Instagram (⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearewatermn/⁠), and Twitter (⁠https://twitter.com/wearewatermn⁠). Follow along for the latest updates! Organizations and resources mentioned in this episode: · Leech Lake Division of Resource Management: https://www.llojibwe.org/drm/ · Minnesota’s PFAS blueprint: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/minnesotas-pfas-blueprint · PFAS information from the Minnesota Department of Health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/pfcs.html · PFAS and health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/pfashealth.html · Interactive map with PFAS testing of MN’s drinking water: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/pfasmap.html · Fish consumption guidance: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/fish/index.html Music credits: These Times and Slate Tracker by Blue Dot Sessions (⁠www.sessions.blue⁠). 

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from Leanna Goose, a student at Leech Lake Tribal College whose research aims to protect manoomin (wild rice) and water for future generations. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted by Leech Lake Tribal College at their Bezhigoogahbow Library in Cass Lake from August 15 through October 6, 2024. From there, it will move to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. This episode of the Watershed was produced by Angela Hugunin, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Special thanks to Emma Needham, who conducted our interviews for Leech Lake Tribal College. Thank you to Leanna Goose, our interviewee for this episode. You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook (⁠https://www.facebook.com/wearewatermn/⁠), Instagram (⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearewatermn/⁠), and Twitter (⁠https://twitter.com/wearewatermn⁠). Follow along for the latest updates! Organizations and resources mentioned in this episode: · Reseeding Manoomin for the Next Seven Generations: https://www.lltc.edu/2024/04/19/protecting-manoomin-for-the-next-seven-generations/ · Leech Lake Division of Resource Management: https://www.llojibwe.org/drm/ Music credits: These Times, Glinting Giant, Uncertain Ground, and A Rush of Clear Water by Blue Dot Sessions (⁠www.sessions.blue⁠). 

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this special episode, we hear from Brittany Lenzmeier and Stephanie Hatzenbihler of Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District. Brittany and Stephanie share about their experiences hosting We Are Water MN. This episode explores: · Interviewee paths to working in water resources · What drew our interviewees to We Are Water MN · Lessons learned while hosting We Are Water MN · Advice for prospective and future host sites · Outcomes from hosting We Are Water MN · Forming lasting partnerships · Beyond hosting We Are Water MN - what did hosting make possible? What hopes remain? Are you interested in bringing We Are Water MN to your community? The deadline for host site applications is July 21, 2024. Learn more and apply at https://www.mnhum.org/get-involved/host-an-exhibit/host-we-are-water-mn/. We Are Water MN is a community engagement initiative and traveling exhibit that builds relationships with and responsibilities to water. This episode of the Watershed was produced by Angela Hugunin, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Special thanks to Brittany Lenzmeier and Stephanie Hatzenbihler of Stearns County SWCD for their time willingness to share. https://www.stearnscountyswcd.net/wawmn   The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Chisago County from June 20 through August 12, 2024. The main exhibit will be at the North Branch Area Library, with additional indoor exhibits on view at the Chisago County History Center. Lindstrom Memorial Park will have an outdoor display. After Chisago County, the exhibit will move to Cass Lake (Leech Lake Tribal College), and Shakopee (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community). You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Chisago County’s hosting of the exhibit, plus related events, at https://www.chisagocountymn.gov/1349/We-Are-Water-MN-Exhibit---June-20-to-Aug. You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook (⁠https://www.facebook.com/wearewatermn/⁠), Instagram (⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearewatermn/⁠), and Twitter (⁠https://twitter.com/wearewatermn⁠). Follow along for the latest updates! Music credits: These Times and Paper Feather by Blue Dot Sessions (⁠www.sessions.blue⁠). 

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from Sharon Day, a writer, artist, activist, educator, and leader of water protection efforts including Nibi Walks. She is also an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. Sharon Day explores some of her water memories, as well as themes around caring for and being in relationship with water. We'll also probe questions about our responsibility to past and future generations. What will you do for the water? The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Chisago County from June 20 through August 12, 2024. The main exhibit will be at the North Branch Area Library, while additional indoor exhibits will be on view at the Chisago County History Center. Lindstrom Memorial Park will have an outdoor display. After Chisago County, the exhibit will move to Cass Lake (Leech Lake Tribal College), and Shakopee (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community). You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Chisago County’s hosting of the exhibit, plus related events, at https://www.chisagocountymn.gov/1349/We-Are-Water-MN-Exhibit---June-20-to-Aug. This episode of The Watershed was produced by Angela Hugunin, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Special thanks to Emma Needham, who conducted this interview, which was initially featured in Hartley Nature Center’s hosting. Thank you to Sharon Day, our interviewee for this episode. You can learn more about Nibi Walks at http://www.nibiwalk.org/. You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wearewatermn/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wearewatermn/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/wearewatermn). Follow along for the latest updates! Music credits: These Times, Drone Pine, McCarthy, So We Go, and Waterbourne by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). 

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from Rick Olseen, an active citizen and leader who has held multiple roles in his community. Across these positions, water has been an important throughline. Rick Olseen shares about the unique character of Chisago County, plus water education stories. He also discusses Let's Go Fishing, a local nonprofit whose aim is to offer fishing and boating excursions for individuals who may not typically have access to being on the water. Learn more about the Let’s Go Fishing chapter mentioned by Rick Olseen at ⁠https://eastcentralmn.lgfws.com/⁠. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted in Chisago County from June 20 through August 12, 2024. The main exhibit will be at the North Branch Area Library, with an additional indoor exhibit on view at the Chisago County History Center. Lindstrom Memorial Park will have an outdoor display. After Chisago County, the exhibit will move to Cass Lake (Leech Lake Tribal College), then Shakopee (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community). You can learn more about We Are Water MN at www.mnhum.org/water. Learn more about Chisago County’s hosting of the exhibit, plus related events, at https://www.chisagocountymn.gov/1349/We-Are-Water-MN-Exhibit---June-20-to-Aug. This episode of the Watershed was produced by Angela Hugunin, and by We Are Water MN, which is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension. We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Special thanks to Emma Needham, who conducted our interviews in Chisago County. Thank you to Rick Olseen, our interviewee for this episode. You can find We Are Water MN on Facebook (⁠https://www.facebook.com/wearewatermn/⁠), Instagram (⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearewatermn/⁠), and Twitter (⁠https://twitter.com/wearewatermn⁠). Follow along for the latest updates! Music credits: These Times, Hardwood Lullaby, and Waiting at the Hem by Blue Dot Sessions (⁠www.sessions.blue⁠).