In April our friend and fellow advocate, Jeff Broberg died.  Jeff was a trout angler, member, and vocal advocate for clean water and coldwater fisheries.  He was passionate not just about trout angling, but about protecting the aquifers and watersheds that support trout and people.  Jeff used his training as a geologist, wit, and sense of humor to educate others and to urge the state to do a better job of protecting these precious natural resources.  He helped MNTU in many fights, including against silica sand mining near trout streams, excessive groundwater extraction in central MN, and nitrate pollution in southeast MN.  The fish kills on his beloved trout waters spurred relentless action, not resignation.  I will miss his long friendship, humor, and insight.  All of us will miss his incredible advocacy. 

There is a celebration of life scheduled for May 18 if you knew Jeff and would like to join the community in remembering him.

Our staff and several board members shared these remembrances of Jeff:

I first ran across Jeff Broberg in 1994.  I was asked by Minnesota Trout Unlimited to bring suit against the Department of Natural Resourced, (Minnesota Trout Unlimited v. Sando) alleging that DNR failed to carry out its mandatory duties under the Minnesota Water Law and the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act.  Specifically, at that time, the Public Water Inventory Maps failed to delineate the springs, seeps and tributaries that flowed into and constituted the lifeblood of Minnesota’s trout streams and coldwater ecosystems.  Jeff was one of the firebrands who urged that the lawsuit be brought, and the deficiency addressed.  Since that time, I had the good fortune to work with Jeff on other important environmental battles.  With Jeff’s passing, we have lost a passionate, engaged, and caring advocate for Minnesota’s environment and trout streams.  He will be sorely missed.

– Mike Madigan

My first interaction with Jeff was in my first week at MNTU when I somehow ended up presenting on climate change and coldwater fisheries at the MN DNR Roundtable. Jeff fired off a pointed question about recent fish kills and in my newbie role I stumbled and hedged my answer. He called me on it and made me squirm,  but then approached me right after with a friendly smile and introduction, putting me at ease. While I only had the opportunity to work with him for a little over a year, he was a mentor, teacher, and one of my favorite partners. He was firey, but kind. I will miss him.

-Kristen Poppleton

To know, Jeff was to know that he rarely did not leave an impression in the room. I can’t think of a conversation I had with him where I didn’t walk away with a different perspective or a slightly different way of understanding some aspect of the conservation world. He will be so greatly missed. 

-Jennifer Biderman

Jeff Broberg was a longtime ally with a gifted voice.  It was engaging.  It was optimistic.  His voice invited you to consider deeply.  It had a cadence and a lilt.  Jeff was not judgmental, and he always left you feeling better for having conversed with him.  We already miss his presence in our sphere.

-Mark Reisetter

Read some of the coverage and stories about Jeff:

https://www.startribune.com/jeff-broberg-dies-minnesota-environmental-water-champion-changed-policies-obit/601341768

https://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/tireless-advocate-for-clean-water-jeff-broberg-dies

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-minnesota-outdoor-news-rad-79423114/episode/episode-536-remembering-jeff-broberg-272853499/https://www.startribune.com/burcum-a-pair-of-big-muddy-boots-to-fill/601342960