In the past, water poured off Wabasha, Minnesota’s downtown roofs and flowed directly to the Mississippi River. Now it’s absorbed in landscaped basins, passed through an underground catchment filter, and infiltrated through brick-paved sidewalks, stairs, plaza and an alley near the National Eagle Center.

In real-life fashion, Wabasha’s riverfront developed “piecemeal, over time,” says city planner Molly Patterson-Lundgren of WSB & Associates. The City, a local nonprofit, developers, and private donors worked together over time to Read More→

After two years exploring the upper Mississippi River blufflands, NewGround client Sara Lubinski unveiled 49 paintings at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona on March 6. Lubinski works from a deep background in both art and science and has dedicated this project to creating new conversations for land and water conservation in the region.

NewGround initiated conversations with KSMQ Public Television to develop a full 30-minute program about the project and landowner conservation in the region. Read More→

As Wisconsin Technical College (WTC) officials prepared to break ground for La Crosse, Wisconsin’s first Passive House on October 3, a squirrel scolded onlookers and ran from a tree shedding first leaves into the wet street. In this established neighborhood of modest homes the scene was quiet, but expectant. Onlookers who’d wandered from jobs and appointments to witness the start-up waved and chatted, softly giddy about this project that’s about doing and connecting. I looked around to see neighbors, co-workers, organizers and educators who know how to collaborate, Read More→

Today I visited Eyota, Minnesota, where citizens have established a prairie at the source of the Whitewater River’s South Branch and built rain gardens in neighborhoods. Former Eyota Park Board member Iris Neumann and City Clerk Marlis Knowlton took time to explain the projects and show me around.

On Eyota’s north side, Summerfield Park is at the blunt end of Summerfield Drive NE in a relatively new neighborhood development. The well-kept “pocket park” is a popular place for neighborhood kids, but in 2010 was hot and open. Read More→

At a Whitewater Watershed Joint Powers Board meeting today, Minnesota Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture Matt Wohlman explained a new ag water certification program his department is rolling out this year. The Whitewater is one of four Minnesota watersheds chosen to “test run” the program, which rewards farmers for practicing good water stewardship.

Board members with decades of experience listened carefully as Wohlman described how the program was developed, and what his department hopes Read More→

After what seems like a lifetime of planning we broke ground today to build a home in southeast Minnesota, near the Root River. It was my birthday! We raised a glass to hard work, perseverance, community and all that’s to come. More on this soon! It’s an ultra-insulated home fueled by the sun, innovative now but—we hope—popular everywhere in years to come.

NewGround client Sara Lubinski met with curators and directors from the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Minnesota’s Bell Museum of Natural History, and Cascade Meadows Environmental Science Center May 31 to plan her exhibit, River Sojourn: A Painter’s Portfolio of the Mississippi River Blufflands.

The three institutions came together early to support Lubinski’s exploration of the region, offer insights for content development and exhibit logistics, and to support and plan the 2014-16 exhibit tour. Their contributions  Read More→

“Conserved,” a publication developed by NewGround for Mississippi Valley Conservancy, received the International Academy of Visual Arts 2013 Communicator Award of Distinction this month. The magazine showcases the beauty of the upper Mississippi River region, the work of the Conservancy, and landowners who’ve protected their own land with conservation easements.

As a resident of the Root River watershed in southeastern Minnesota, I’ve participated in civic engagement training during the past year. About 15 residents from throughout the watershed met monthly to learn about the landscape, the condition of the Root River and its tributaries, and how to lead public conversations about water. Six community gatherings were held this spring, and we just met to share experiences leading those conversations.

About 150 people attended meetings in our rural area. They walked in with purpose and curiosity. One participant Read More→

On April 16, 2013 NewGround was honored with a ClearMark award at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. It recognized clear presentation of a complex topic—in this case, the purpose and function of a land trust. The 48-page magazine developed for Mississippi Valley Conservancy tells the Conservancy’s story and is used as a tool to engage people in protection of working lands and native habitats.