Preserving and Restoring the River Warren's Environmental Legacy
2011 Environmental Initiative Awards
Preserving and Restoring the River Warren's Environmental Legacy
This program is a locally-led initiative with regional and state-wide coalition of partners and stakeholders committed to the preservation and restoration of the mid-section of the Minnesota River Valley. The Green Corridor’s vision is not only about preserving and restoring the unique natural resources but also the cultural and natural history of the people who have lived within this glacial river bed landscape. The Green Corridor partners are committed to the acquisition and preservation of a public infrastructure system along this portion of the Minnesota River Valley over the next quarter century. This restored “Green Corridor” would be a lasting ecological, cultural, educational and recreational legacy of a previously fragmented environment.
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Brad Cobb2011-03-17 00:59
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About You
First Name
Brad
Last Name
Cobb
Organization
Green Corridor Inc.
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Project Contact First Name
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Your idea
Project Name
Preserving and Restoring the River Warren's Environmental Legacy
Date of Project Completion
2033
Category
Natural Resource Protection and Restoration
Project Summary
This program is a locally-led initiative with regional and state-wide coalition of partners and stakeholders committed to the preservation and restoration of the mid-section of the Minnesota River Valley. The Green Corridor’s vision is not only about preserving and restoring the unique natural resources but also the cultural and natural history of the people who have lived within this glacial river bed landscape. The Green Corridor partners are committed to the acquisition and preservation of a public infrastructure system along this portion of the Minnesota River Valley over the next quarter century. This restored “Green Corridor” would be a lasting ecological, cultural, educational and recreational legacy of a previously fragmented environment.
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Partners
Who were the project partners? What role did each play in the partnership, and how did the partnership operate?
The Tatanka Bluffs Corridor Inc. (a 26 community organization group in Redwood and Renville Counties) will act as the primary organization in overall vision and stakeholder involvement. Green Corridor Inc. will act as the primary program administrator and day to day operations. Other advisory, resource, and technical assistance partners include the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Program, the U of M - Center for Changing Landscapes, the Conservation Corps of Minnesota, county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Minnesota Valley History Learning Center, the Minnesota River Watershed Alliance, the Minnesota River National Scenic By-way Alliance, Waukon RIM, and a large number of regional and statewide wildlife and conservation groups like Great River Greening, National Wild Turkey Federation, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, and Pheasants Forever Inc. All partners, agencies, and stakeholders will play an active role in formulating this vision and eventual outcomes.
Innovation
How is the partnership and/or project goals, outcomes and process innovative or groundbreaking?
We have taking a regional or community approach to recognizing the social and economic benefits/importance of protecting and restoring our natural resource public infrastructures of this very important and previously fragmented natural resource landscape where creating and protecting these public natural resource infrastructures will provide public access and will assist in creating and promoting an outdoor recreational economy and improving the quality of life for regional residents and communities.
Goals
Describe the project goals
To create a system of public infrastructure of hunting, fishing, parks, trails, and waterway areas that will create and/or enhance tourism and economic growth through outdoor recreational tourism and to improve the quality of life for regional residents and communities.
Outcomes
What were the outcomes of the project (if completed)? What have been the outcomes so far, and what are the anticipated future outcomes (if ongoing)?
To create a continuous system or "public land bridge" of public lands that will not only protect and restore our most vital natural resources along the mid section of the Minnesota River Valley but will also provide outdoor recreational opportunities. Since 2005 nearly 1,600 acres of public lands along or near the Minnesota River have been added to the public recreational system which includes over 4 miles of Minnesota River shoreline have been acquired between all partners and agencies as Wildlife Management Areas, Aquatic Managements Areas, and additions to state parks. Another 400 acres are being proposed in 2011. This is an ongoing effort with no specific acre total but rather to create connectivity along the Minnesota River Valley.
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