By Marya Hart
Stewards advocate for policies related to water, forests, and wildlife.
The Forests and Wildlife Stewards and Waters and Wetlands Stewards held a joint meeting this month remotely. During the meeting, the Stewards were treated to a presentation from Margaret Wagner of the Forever Green Initiative—a University of Minnesota and USDA Agriculture Research Service program that seeks to enhance and develop new agricultural systems to improve natural resources and provide new economic opportunities.
Margaret's presentation focused on the development of perennial crops, specifically Kernza, to be used as an environmentally friendly substitute for traditional crops grown in Minnesota. Kernza has benefits to soil, water, and is a great source of carbon sequestration.
Additionally, the Waters and Wetlands Stewards are diving into research on the issue of microplastics in our lakes and streams. Did you know that when the National Park Service tested water from the Namekagon, St. Croix, and Mississippi Rivers, they found microplastics in every water, sediment, fish, and mussel sample that they collected? Read more here and learn how individuals can help.