The Minnesota River Valley holds a special place in the history of Minnesota.  Carved out of glacial Lake Minnesota and the glacial River Warren, the Minnesota River is the longest tributary in Minnesota that enters into the Mississippi River. Where the Minnesota River flows into the Mississippi River, the flow of the Mississippi doubles.

The Dakota people had named the river 'Minnesota'. When the government formed a new territory that would include the river valley and the surrounding land, they called it 'Minnesota Territory' after the river.

This is an area that treasures its pioneer heritage.  It is the birthplace of Minnesota icons as diverse as the Mayo Brothers and the Jolly Green Giant.  It is a place for duck hunters and pheasant hunters to come from all areas of the state.  Hardwood forests, 3.8 billion year old granite outcrops, and lush prairie grasses remain for visitors to enjoy. State and local parks dot the valley, inviting tourists to get out-of-doors all year long, while museums and historic sites offer vivid stories of prairie life.  Today, agricultural activities account for nearly 90% of the land use in the conservation region. The river flows through some of the richest agricultural land in the state if not the world.


Meeting Schedule:
March 12, 2007 - Victoria Inn, Hutchinson
March 28, 2007 - Victoria Inn, Hutchinson

Meeting Participants:
Scott Sparlin, Friends of the Minnesota River Valley
Scott Kudelka, Minnesota River Alliance
Patrick Moore, Clean Up Our River Alliance
Kylene Olson, Chippewa River Watershed Project
Julie Volstad
Judy Hansen, Nicollet County Commissioner
Dave Craigmile, Lac qui Parle Planing and Zoning Board
Jeff Nielsen, BWSR
Dennis Haaland, East Medicine Pheasants Forever
Chris Domeier, Department of Natural Resources
Audrey Arner, Moonstone Farm
Dwight Swanson, High Island Watershed Director
LeRoy Messner
Cal Schrupp, High Island Watershed Director
Al Berner, Department of Natural Resources
John Schneider, Ducks Unlimited
Duane Ninneman, Clean Up our River Environment
Jo Pederson, Clean Up our River Environment
Tom Kalaher, Renville Soil and Water Conservation District