Winter Habitat Preferences of Trout in the Driftless Area

By Dr. Jennifer Biederman The Driftless Area, spanning parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, is renowned for its spring-fed streams, cold water, and limestone geology. These unique environmental factors create ideal year-round conditions for trout. In streams with the most groundwater influence, both flows and water temperatures remain fairly constant...

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Minnesota Department of Agriculture Refuses to Protect State’s Environment From Pesticide Contamination 

Contacts:  Jesús Canchola Sánchez, NRDCAF, jcanchola@nrdc.org, (312) 847-6808  Sarah Horner, MCEA, shorner@mncenter.org, (612) 868-3024  Kristen Poppleton, MNTU, kristen.poppleton@mntu.org, (651) 332-0070  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Agency denies rulemaking petition to remedy longstanding violations of Minnesotans’ environmental rights  SAINT PAUL, MN (December 19, 2024) – Today,...

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Habitat Spotlight: Why Riffles Matter So Much

By Dr. Jennifer Biederman If there is one thing that many degraded streams across Minnesota have in common, it’s a lack key habitat types that support trout of all stages and ages. Many degraded streams lack riffle habitat.  These shallow, fast-flowing sections of a stream, characterized by their choppy water surface...

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Riffles: Essential Habitat for Healthy Macroinvertebrate Communities (Also, Trout Food!)

by Dr. Jennifer Biederman Riffle habitats in trout streams are essential little ecosystems that provide an ideal environment for aquatic macroinvertebrates, which are small, aquatic organisms that play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems – and the most important food source of stream dwelling trout in Minnesota. What is a riffle?...

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Voters want conservation

by John Lenczewski, November 11, 2024 How last week’s election results will impact our ability to better protect, restore, and sustain coldwater fisheries and watersheds is not clear. Most conservation work gets done locally, especially with Minnesota’s environmental laws and dedicated funding. National politics usually has less impact here. Control of...

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Groups Petition to Protect Minnesota’s Environment and Communities from Dangerous Pesticides 

October 15, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contacts:Jesús Canchola Sánchez, jcanchola@nrdc.org  Sarah Horner, shorner@mncenter.org  Kristen Poppleton, kristen.poppleton@mntu.org  Rulemaking petition submitted to Minnesota Department of Agriculture to remedy longstanding, harmful contamination of lands and waters  SAINT PAUL, MN (October 15, 2024) – The NRDC Action Fund, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), and Minnesota Trout Unlimited

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How do Macroinvertebrates Fare Following Stream Improvement Projects?

By Dr. Jennifer Biederman The sight of an in-stream habitat improvement project in progress can be a bit eye-opening – heavy machinery, including large excavators are working along the banks and in the stream, often moving large amounts of soil to slope the banks while digging out silted in pools and...

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Electrofishing Insights: Tracking Stream Restoration Success in Northeast Minnesota

Standing by a newly restored stream, the benefits are often clear: the eroding banks, invasive plants, and barren channels have been replaced with gently sloped banks, deep pools, spawning riffles, and thriving native vegetation. It’s easy to see how these improvements boost fish populations by creating better habitat for food...

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Vote for Coldwater Fisheries Protection Across the Ballot

Voting is a privilege and a right for American citizens and our opportunity to make choices based on our values. Voting is crucial for the protection of coldwater fisheries because it allows citizens to influence environmental policies and regulations. Governments and lawmakers play a key role in creating and enforcing...

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