Greening River Greening Sponsors Major Public Programs:

Healthy Waters Fair and Go Green Industry Breakfast 

August 7, 2008

To Partners and Friends of Great River Greening:
This fall, Great River Greening, is showing off its many diverse partners with two major public programs as part of its fall planting season. On September 26, Friday morning, at Go Green: Renovate, Innovate, industry professionals will gather to hear the latest on green policies developing around the county, as well as how to green one’s own business. Egan Contractors, Aspen Waste, Anchor Bank, and Opus Corporation are major presenting sponsors.

The next day begins the Healthy Waters and Heritage Fair, a two day celebration at William O’Brien State Park presented with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Carnelian-Marine-St.Croix Watershed Association, Chisago County, the Millstream Association, Washington Conservation District, and others. Friday is the Chisago Children’s Water Festival, educating the young on various aspects of water quality. Saturday  and Sunday are day-long programs of workshops for landowners and families, including rain garden planting, prairie restoration, fly-casting, and orienteering. Surprise media guest is planned. Additionally, the Fair will highlight Great River Greening’s Healthy Waters restoration projects, funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Bush and Carolyn Foundations.

Both public events are part of Great River Greening’s annual Million Shades of Autumn, a seasonal call to action to preserve and restore the natural beauty and biological richness of our central Minnesota region by inspiring people to love the land. Like the spring season events, which are called a Million Shades of Green, Great River Greening and its partners lead restoration events, exhibitions, and trainings helping people to understand the role of native plants in a healthy ecosystem, to value the beauty and health of the natural landscape that defines their heritage, and to take action to protect, conserve, and restore our regional landscapes. A Million Shades of Autumn 2009 also features a small seeding event on the second phase of the oak savanna restoration at Pilot Knob, a historic site known for its Native American ceremonial use .

Greening also welcomes new board member Brian Brakke, president of Saint Paul Anchor Bank!  For more up to date news and details of A Million Shades of Autumn 2009, please visit our website www.greatrivergreening.org.  Major operating support for all Great River Greening programs is provided by McKnight Foundation.