The Watershed

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast from We Are Water MN. In this episode, we’re joined by 6 community members near Itasca State Park: Connie Cox, Dakota and Amy Sather, Deane Johnson, Emily Schilling, Chi binesikwe, and Steve Maanum. You can also hear these interviews in the We Are Water MN exhibit. The exhibit is being hosted by Itasca Biological Station and the Department of Natura...

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast from We Are Water MN. In this episode, we’re joined by 6 community members from the Capitol Region Watershed District: Andrew Montain, Ray Ruiz, Thia Xiong, Devin Brown, Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wíŋ, and Seitu Ken Jones. You can also hear these interviews in the We Are Water MN exhibit. The exhibit is being hosted by Capitol Region Watershed District in St. Pau...

Thanks for listening to The Watershed , a podcast from We Are Water MN. In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Holger, a woman who lives in the Zumbro River watershed and who has dedicated her career to getting kids connected to the outside world. Sarah dives into her past and shares about a magical swamp that has helped shape who she is today. The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hosted by Oxbow P...

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 Ox...

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 Coun...

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...

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...

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),...

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),...

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...

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 S...

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 wi...

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 Blo...

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...

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...

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 lear...

The Watershed is a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, Jill Behnke shares stories of community members coming together for water protection. Mayor of Center City and member of the Chisago Lake Improvement District board of directors, Jill Behnke's varied experiences illustrate local collaboration for the common good. This episode also delves into rain gardens and their connection to c...

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 qu...

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 nonpr...

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we explore the role of water in the grieving process. Can we shift the way we think about tears? What effect does proximity to water have on the human mind, body, and spirit? Today's guest, AnnElise Bergstrom, is uniquely situated to guide us through these questions. Tune in to hear takeaways from her experie...

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we dive into the world of storm drains. What do storm drains do, and why do they matter? How can we protect them? In this episode, we will deepen our understanding of stormwater and storm drains. We will learn about one organization (Adopt-a-drain) leading storm drain protection efforts in an awesome way in Minne...

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Phil Prosapio, current board president of the Friends of Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Tune in to learn about the value of places like Crane Meadows. We’ll also learn about the vital role wetlands play in keeping our state’s waters clean. We Are Water MN will be hosted by Mississippi Ri...

Thanks for listening to The Watershed, a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we dig into conservation practices that protect soil and water. Interviewee Don Tschida, whose family farm will become a century farm in 2025, explores questions surrounding the responsibility of caring for land and water. He shares the conservation practices he and his family have implemented on their farm in Ag...

Thank you for listening to The Watershed, a podcast of We Are Water MN. In this episode, we hear from Duluth resident, educator, and boating captain Dave Johnson. Dave shares water memories and an exploration of themes around education, recreation, and stewardship. How can caring for the water right outside our front door help address more sweeping issues? The We Are Water MN exhibit will be hoste...

Thank you for listening to The Watershed, 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. Sharon is also an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. In this episode, Sharon Day shares water memories and an exploration of themes around caring for and being in relatio...