Fourth Annual Wetlands Summit
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota
February 21, 2009   8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Theme:  Wetland Values and Dedicated Funding

The fourth annual Wetlands Summit continues a succession of summits that have arisen from the Rally for Ducks, Wetlands and Clean Water held on two occasions on the State Capitol grounds in April of 2005 and 2006.  The Rally called for holding an annual wetlands summit to review current programs and problems, identify corrective measures and develop funding support.

It has been the goal with each successive summit to educate, to bring diverse groups together for common cause, to stimulate thought and most importantly to rally the citizenry to action.  The summits have provided forums for concerned individuals, conservation and environmental groups, federal and state agencies, farm organizations and students to interact for the betterment of Minnesota’s natural environment. 

In light of this past year’s historic vote on November 4, 2008 in which the Constitutional Amendment for the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Act passed with a 54% majority vote, the past spring’s historic flooding in the Mississippi Valley, and continued pressure to drain wetlands, the organizing committee felt it prudent to once again review wetland values in the context of now having available the means to carry out critical programming.  The morning session will provide a brief history of the initial rally, subsequent summits and the dedicated funding effort to present day activities.  Wetlands, flooding and watershed level restorations will be reviewed and the new Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council priorities will be discussed.  Wetlands and the Clean Water Legacy Program and the Clean Water Act will provide topics for interactive discussion.  The afternoon session will attempt to maximize interactive opportunities with feed-back sessions, and will include a provocative look at the positive economics of wetlands, ending with an audience participation program entitled “Concluding Voices.”

The Summit is a cooperative effort sponsored by the Minnesota Division of the Izaak Walton League of America, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Waterfowl Association, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, National Wildlife Federation, Minnesota Conservation Federation and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.

There will be a registration fee of $25.00 per person, with a reduced fee of $15.00 for certified students.  The fee will include registration, morning and afternoon refreshments and a noon lunch.  Parking is readily available.  Please return the registration form with payment to the Minnesota Division IWLA.  Pre-registration is advised.  Call (651)221-0215 or e-mail ikes@minnesotaikes.org.

Download registration form (PDF)
Mail to: Minnesota Division IWLA, 161  St. Anthony Ave,  Ste. 910,  St. Paul, MN  55103

Co-chairs for the Wetlands Summit:
Harvey Nelson, MWA, MOHA:  (952) 831-8333
Bill Henke, IWLA:  (651)221-0215