HISTORY

Itasca Waters (Itasca Water Legacy Partnership) is a unique blend of public agencies and private citizens all working towards the same goal.  

In 2006, volunteers and water quality advocates came together to talk about what could be done to protect and improve clean water resources and quality habitat in Itasca County.

Over a two- to three-year period, this committed group of individuals identified a number of strategies they felt could be implemented. In addition, the group formalized its operations by creating a name — the Itasca Water Legacy Partnership (IWLP) — and establishing a board of directors. The first election took place in January 2009.

During 2009 and 2010, IWLP sought to diversify its board and was successful in recruiting individuals and organizations with varying interests in Itasca County’s water resources. In addition, the group filed its certificate of incorporation and articles of incorporation under the laws of the state of Minnesota on December 23, 2010. This resulted in the successful obtainment of a federal EIN and 501(c)3 status in 2011.

Today, the mission of IWLP (which was renamed Itasca Waters in early 2017) is to "Team up with other organizations and concerned citizens to maintain abundant, clean water for our continued health, enjoyment and a strong economy."

A Citizen-driven Organization

As a key citizen-driven organization working on the frontlines of water quality issues in Itasca County, Itasca Waters leverages a unique blend of partnerships. As a whole, the organization works to implement, support, and promote research, education, and public outreach activities, all with the goal of maintaining abundant clean waters in the county.

Since 2006, Itasca Waters has been able to implement a wide range of programming with little overhead cost by partnering with a variety of funders. To date, the organization has received more than $1.5 million in grants from partners including the Blandin Foundation, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Itasca County Environmental Trust Fund (ICETF), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), the United States Forest Service (USFS), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and the state of Minnesota.

Funding

Many of Itasca Water’s Most Significant Accomplishments have been made possible by such funding (as well as dedicated volunteers) and include:

• In 2008, a $327,000 grant from the MPCA enabled Itasca Waters to complete baseline water quality assessments in Itasca County.

• In 2008, a $100,000 grant from the ICETF enabled Itasca Waters, Itasca Community College (ICC), and the Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District to create a certified water quality lab on the ICC campus.

• In 2008, a $79,000 grant from the ICETF was used to establish a revolving fund for the upgrade of septic systems in sensitive shoreland areas.

• In 2008, a $75,000 grant from the LCCMR helped Itasca Waters establish a Native Shoreland Buffer Incentive Program.

• In 2010, an additional $122,000 grant from the MPCA was used to continue baseline water quality assessment work in Itasca County.

• In 2010, a $250,000 grant from the MPCA enabled Itasca Waters and multiple partners to conduct in-depth diagnostic studies on Pokegama and Deer lakes.

• In 2011, an additional $160,000 grant from the LCCMR helped Itasca Waters identify sensitive shoreland areas in Itasca County.

• In 2011, a $155,000 grant from Blandin Foundation was used to conduct a study of the economic value of Itasca County’s water resources and to help support operation of the water quality lab on the ICC campus.

• In 2012, a $30,000 grant from the NFWF helped Itasca Waters participate in the identification and control of purple loosestrife infestations.

• In 2014, a $17,000 grant from the ICETF was used to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

• In 2014, a $90,000 grant from the state of Minnesota was used to help prevent the introduction and slow the spread of aquatic invasive species.

• In 2015, a $89,000 grant from the state of Minnesota was used to help prevent the introduction and slow the spread of aquatic invasive species.

• In 2018 Itasca Waters received a $150,000 grant from The Blandin Foundation to support our work over the next three years.  This is a very important step for us as we concentrate on good shoreland practices, as well as AIS, our economy, and many public outreach programs.  We are grateful to The Blandin Foundation for recognizing the value that Itasca Waters provides to Itasca County.

• In 2019, Itasca Waters was given a $114,040 grant from the Bush Foundation focused on using community driven solutions to protect water and Board development. Itasca Waters was notified in February 2019 that Itasca Waters was awarded a $107,040 grant to use community driven solutions to protect Itasca County’s water. In addition, $7,000 is available for Board development.

Significant Accomplishments

Over the years, Itasca Waters has achieved a number of other significant accomplishments including:

2006-2010

• Engaged in numerous public outreach events including Children First Fairs and the Itasca County Fair as well as ongoing meetings and events related to area lake associations, the Izaak Walton League, Rotary clubs, ISD 318 Community Education, and more.

2010

• Was recognized with a cash prize in the Minnesota Community Pride Competition at the Minnesota State Fair. The award was made to Itasca Waters for community improvements in education and natural resources.

• Worked with partners to organize a water summit at ICC that presented educational and conservation information to water and recreation enthusiasts from around the region. This was a full-day event and was repeated in 2015. The 2015 event included a new partnership with the forestry community.

2011

• Brought together volunteers and partners from across the region to conduct an annual water summit for 5th graders attending schools in Grand Rapids, Bigfork, and Deer River. Educational topics presented at the event include shoreline buffers, aquatic invertebrate identification, microscopic inverts, surface tension, journaling, watersheds, aquatic invasive species, and water-related art.

2012

• Began conducting purple loosestrife inspections and eradication work in Itasca County. Funding from the NFWF and USFS was used to employ county residents who inoculated biological controls in area waterways. The program was eventually integrated into the work of the Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District.

• Hosted a Youth Water Summit in May that allowed nearly 400 fifth graders a chance to participate in all-day scientific hands-on activities.  

2013

• Helped develop a Cooperative Invasive Specie Species Management Area (CISMA) in Itasca County. This work was conducted in collaboration with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Itasca County Land Department, Minnesota Department of Transportation, USFS, DNR, University of Minnesota Extension, and the Itasca County Organization of Lake Associations.

• Hosted a Youth Water Summit in May that allowed nearly 400 fifth graders a chance to participate in all-day scientific hands-on activities.  

• Played a lead role in aquatic invasive species inspections at public landings in Itasca County. Inspections started at seven landings and grew to 40 in 2017. This work led to Itasca Waters hiring its first employee.  In keeping with our philosophy, the work was taken over by the Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2017.

2014

• Successfully transitioned the water quality lab at ICC to RMB Labs, a for-profit entity. This was a major win, because an ongoing local lab is needed not only to test county surface waters, but to test well water for local drillers. In addition, it was paramount to maintain local laboratory resources in order to continue baseline work. Before Itasca Waters helped develop the lab back in 2008, only 75 lakes had credible data. Now, more than 300 lakes have credible baseline data.

• Hosted a Youth Water Summit in May that allowed nearly 400 fifth graders a chance to participate in all-day scientific hands-on activities.  

2015

• Continued to work with partner organizations on the Aquatic Invasive Species Technical Advisory Committee.  

• Hosted a booth at the Children First Fair emphasized clean water and the dangers of aquatic invasive species to over 1,200 children through exhibits and hands-on activities.  Ran an AIS booth at the three-day 2015 Grand Rapids Jaycees Home & Sport Show that was attended by over 5,000 people.  
• Hosted a Youth Water Summit in May that allowed 440 fifth graders a chance to participate in all-day scientific hands-on activities.  

• Organized a Healthy Watersheds Conference in July for nearly 100 adults, featuring 12 presenters and an afternoon World Café discussion of lessons learned from those presentations. 

• Partnered with ICOLA to host a booth at the Itasca County Fair.  Work continued throughout the summer and fall on aquatic invasive species prevention and education through a watercraft inspection program.  The Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts awarded the Itasca County Outstanding Conservationist Award to the Aquatic Invasive Species Partnership of Itasca County that included Itasca Waters. Itasca Waters worked with RMB Environmental Laboratories to ensure that the water lab at ICC would continue to operate under private management. 

2016

• Continued to work with partner organizations on the Aquatic Invasive Species Technical Advisory Committee.  

• Hosted a booth at the Children First Fair emphasizing clean water and the dangers of aquatic invasive species with hands-on activities.

• Hosted an AIS booth at the three-day 2015 Grand Rapids Jaycees Home & Sport Show that was attended by over 5,000 people.

• Hosted a Youth Water Summit in May that allowed nearly 400 fifth graders a chance to participate in all-day scientific hands-on activities.

• Partnered with ICOLA to host a booth at the Itasca County Fair—over 2,500 attendees listened to conversations about AIS.  Work continued throughout the summer and fall on aquatic invasive species prevention and education through a watercraft inspection program, presentations and events. 

• Negotiated the successful transfer of the AIS program to the Itasca SWCD. 

2017

• Rebranded itself as Itasca Waters, to better define our focus. 

• Effective Jan 1, 2017, transferred the Aquatic Invasive Species program to Itasca County Soil and Water District. During the four years IW coordinated the AIS program, it grew from under 1,000 boat landing inspections to nearly 18,000. 

• Continued to work with partner organizations on the Aquatic Invasive Species Technical Advisory Committee. 

• Hosted a Youth Water Summit in May that allowed over 400 fifth graders a chance to participate in all-day scientific hands-on activities. 

• Worked on building awareness of IW, including an article and paid advertisement in Lake Time Magazine 

• Began work on a significant shoreland project, including an Itasca County Shoreland Guide to Lake Stewardship, and revised and expanded the website. 

• Agreed to host a six-week 2019 event, We Are Water, in conjunction with the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 

2018

• Hosted the seventh Youth Water Summit in May that allowed over 450 fifth graders a chance to participate in all-day scientific hands-on activities and presented a hands-on event at the Itasca County Fair. 

• Hired a part-time coordinator, a first for Itasca Waters, and opened an office at Central Square Mall. 

• Worked on building awareness of Itasca Waters, including a billboard on Highway 169, new banners for events, an informative library presentation, and an updated website. 

• Published a very well received Shoreland Guide, widely distributed to lake associations, realtors, and others.

• Hosted a very successful Septic Secrets seminar.

• Continued to work on the We Are Water 2019 event, hosted in conjunction with the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The event will include a series of activities in 2019, culminating with a six-week exhibit at the Reif Center 

2019

• Hosted the eighth Youth Water Summit in May that allowed about 425 fifth graders a chance to participate in scientific, hands-on activities and organized an activity at the Itasca County Fair.

• Successfully hosted at the Reif, the Minnesota Humanities Center exhibit We are Water, and related events.

• Rolled out the Shoreland Advisors program. 

• Expanded community outreach and social media work including creating a series of videos available online. 

• Worked with the University of Minnesota at Morris to survey Itasca County residents about attitudes and practices focused on water quality in the county.

• Sponsored a team for the Frozen Fairways Golf Classic in February. Sponsored child-focused activities at the community event, teaming up with the Roger Clark and Search and Rescue with an underwater camera set up so kids and families could see what was happening under the ice. In addition, there were also educational coloring pages and other things for kids which were housed in the Search and Rescue RV. 

• Individual, business and stock donations from 129 members (including 29 new members) raised $9,641, making a powerful statement about how the people of Itasca County value our water resources and want to be part of a community who actively work to maintain those resources. 

2020

• Filmed and produced the lakeside Shoreland Advisors mini-series, available on itascawaters.org 
  
  
• Gained 32 new members, the highest number of new members except for the first two years, an indication that the organization’s hard work towards maintaining high water quality in the County is recognized. 
  
  
• Continued the Bush Foundation Community Innovation Grant focused on widespread community engagement. The engagement process collected information from over 1,000 county residents. Using that information, we developed a water quality protection model consisting of five elements that, when working together, will lead to a more cohesive community-wide water protection plan. The five elements include: 

1) Advocacy and education 

2) Creating shared beliefs and values 

3) Leadership support

4) Enforcement and implementation 

5) Monitoring and assessment In Year Two, our work focused on three of the elements: actions connected to advocacy and education; creating shared beliefs and values; and fostering greater commitment and support from elected officials and others in leadership roles. 

• Canceled the Youth Water Summit, unfortunately, another victim of the Covid-19 pandemic. It had been scheduled for May at the Itasca County Fairgrounds.

• Individual, business, lake association and stock donations ranged from $25 to $500, for a total of $10,218 in 2020. 

2021

• Continuing the COVID-19 pandemic impacts, canceled the popular Youth Water Summit in May. We were also unable to plan shoreland advisor activities and several community events were cancelled. 
  
  
• Served on the Mississippi Headwaters Watershed Management Plan Advisory Committee. Despite the need for remote meeting, during 2021, Perry Loegering continued to represent Itasca Waters and the Wes Libbey Northern Lakes Chapter of the Izaak Walton League at several meetings of the Advisory Committee. The committee’s job was to write the Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for the Mississippi Headwaters Watershed. This plan is part of the statewide “One Watershed, One Plan” created by the Board of Water and Soil Resources. The plan was available for formal comment in 2021 and adopted by the County. 
  
  
• Proudly wrapped up the Bush Foundation’s Community Innovation Grant awarded to Itasca Waters at the beginning of 2019.

• Hosted WaterFest, a free community event celebrating our water resources. Organized in conjunction with the annual Tall Timber Days event. WaterFest also marked the Clean Water Initiative kickoff, an Itasca Waters’ initiative focused on addressing three shoreline best practices: 

1) preserving and restoring natural lake shoreline; 

2) curbing pollution runoff near lakeshores, including upgrading private septic systems; and 

3) stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species. Itasca Waters will continue to raise awareness about the value of our water and identify steps people can take to help preserve it. 

• Individual, business, lake association and stock donations ranged from $25 to $1,000, for a total of $12,151 in 2021. That is the highest annual amount Itasca Waters has ever received in member donations, not counting special start-up donations prior to 2010. We also received $1,286 in donations at WaterFest for a total donation revenue of $13,436.78. 
  
  
• 2021 marked the end of the Bush Foundation’s Community Innovation Grant awarded to Itasca Waters at the beginning of 2019. We are proud of what we accomplished over the two-year grant period and are committed to continuing to advance the important work of partnering with others to preserve one of Itasca county’s greatest natural resource – our water. The engagement process revealed three ways to close the gap between known preservation best practices and people’s actions: (1) shifting community consciousness from taking water quality for granted to preserving it; (2) creating consensus among people in positions of power about how to protect water quality; and (3) increasing the understanding of social, economic, and environmental values brought to the county by clean water.

2022

• Initiated a monthly, online educational series called the “Practical Water Wisdom: A Virtual Learning Series” where top professionals in their field were invited to give a virtual presentation with slides for 30 minutes, then answer questions submitted by virtual participants. Each event was recorded and posted on our website.

Topics covered in 2022 were: 

• • Clear Information on murky lakes 
  • Minnesota’s fight against Aquatic Invasive Species
  • Septic secrets
  • Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Detector Training
  • Bluegreen Algae
  • Understanding Minnesota’s changing climate 
  • PFAS In Minnesota: Understanding the impacts of Forever Chemicals 
  • Land use and forestry impacts on water
  • Chloride effects on water and fish 

• Allowed Minnesota Lakes and Rivers, a state wide non profit, whos mission is to: “Protect Minnesota’s lake and river heritage for current and future generations by forging powerful links among lakes, lake advocates, and policy makers.” to adopt our Itasca Waters lakes shore line guide as the state wide model that they will use for their Lake Steward program for all Lake and River associations in Minnesota.  

• Donations totaling $10,855 came from individuals, businesses, lake associations, and others, and ranged from $25 to $500.00, including “stock” donations. 

2023   

• Hosted the Youth Water summit that allowed nearly 400 fifth graders a chance to participate in scientific, hands-on activities and organized an activity at the Itasca County Fair. 
  
  
• Coordinated a Mississippi River Planting. On May 15th team of Master Gardener Susan Lick, David Lick and educator Rachel Newman’s class used a combination of native perennials the students grew over the winter, along with divisions from established plantings ready for thinning, to augment the hillside planting along the pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi in Grand Rapids. Itasca Waters provided the seeds for Monarda, Butterfly Weed, Prairie Clover and Blue Sage, which the Horticulture class nurtured over the winter. Now those plants are growing at several locations around the county! 
  
  
• Continued the popular Practical Water Wisdom: A Virtual Learning Series. 

Topics covered in 2023 were:

• • Feb 2, 2023---Loons and Bald Eagles: Can They Coexist? 
  • Mar 2, 2023--Water plants and woody debris in shallow water: Friend or foe? 
  • Apr 6, 2023--Decrease your water footprint and save money too! 
  • May 4, 2023--Do horsepower and wake boating matter to your lake?
  • June 1, 2023--Are invasive cattails taking over your lake?
  • Jun 12/13, 2023--Become an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Detector
  • Jul 6, 2023--Water-borne disease and symptoms: Can swimming make me sick?
  • Aug 3, 2023--Impending AIS threats: Can they kill my pet or hurt my kids?
  • Sep 7, 2023--How healthy is your well?
  • Oct 31, 2023--SPECIAL: Supernatural lakes: monsters, ghosts, witches, fairies, and aliens. 
  • Nov 2, 2023--Ice formation and melting on lakes: What we know and why it matters. 

• Donations totaling $10,140 came from individuals, businesses, lake associations, and others, and ranged from $25 to $500.00, including “stock” donations. 

2024

• Continued the Practical Water Wisdom: A Virtual Learning Series for a third year.

Topics covered in 2024 were: 

• •  The Value of Wetlands and the Regulations That Can Protect Them
  •  Living With Zebra Mussels in Your Lake - A Cautionary Tale 
  •  Loon Restoration in Minnesota 
  •  How the State Determines Fish Management Strategies, Including Stocking 
  •  Manoomin (Wild Rice): The Food That Grows on Water 
  •  Mining and Water Quality and How the Two Can Live Well Together in Minnesota
  •  Success Stories on Preventing and Remediating the Spread of AIS in Minnesota 
  •  Lakes • Changing Water Quality in Itasca County Lakes 
  • PFAS in Water: How did they get there and why are they so challenging to address?
  • Low and No- Salt Water Softening and Conditioning 

• Continued the Shoreland Advisor Program with assistance from the University of Minnesota Extension. Our advisors completed an educational workshop and an onsite training session involving a series of local lakeshore properties in various states of quality. Advisors make personal onsite visits with lakeshore owners who want information about managing shoreland property in an ecologically friendly way that helps water quality. The Shoreland Advisor's program has grown to become a model that is used across the state by many organizations 
  
  
• Participated in the Aveda Walk for Water on April 21 with True North Salon of Grand Rapids.  Walk for Water is a global initiative that raises awareness about the value of clean, accessible water. Each year, participating salons select a water-focused nonprofit to receive the proceeds from their fundraising efforts.

• Partnered with Blue Thumb—Planting for Clean Water to host a Resilient Shorelines Workshop designed to help community residents learn more about how to plant to protect water quality and strengthen shoreline resilience. The workshop provided education about natural shorelines, native plantings, erosion.

• Hosted Native Planting From Classroom to Community where students help native plants take root. Grand Rapids High School students that took the Spring 2024 Greenhouse & Landscaping course teamed up with Itasca Waters to transplant an existing Minnesota pollinator-friendly garden to a new expanded location in front of the Wabana Town Hall. 

 

• Participated in the Paddle and Pint on July 13, hosted by the City of Cohasset in partnership with the Mississippi Headwaters Board. This was a paddling event on the Mississippi River, and Itasca Waters provided an opportunity for education and outreach in the community. Board member Bill Grantges, Itasca County Aquatic Invasive Species manager, set up a booth at the public landing where the event ended to help educate participants about the importance of Clean, Drain, Dispose and Dry.                          

• Participated in the University of Minnesota’s North Central Research & Outreach Center’s Visitors Day, a well-attended community event that showcases research and practical solutions in natural resources, agriculture, and environmental science.
  
  
•  Attended the Trout Lake Annual Meeting, where Bill Grantges, Itasca County’s AIS Coordinator, offered a clear and engaging update on the countywide effort to protect local waters from aquatic invasive species. Bill outlined the pressures facing Trout Lake and the broader watershed - from zebra mussels and spiny water fleas to starry stonewort and Eurasian watermilfoil - and explained how early detection and prevention remain our strongest tools

• Canceled the Youth Water Summit, despite extensive planning, due to inclement weather. 

• Donations totaling $6,050 came from individuals, businesses, lake associations, and others.

Governance

IWLP is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The full Board meets quarterly and the Executive Committee, consisting of the officers and committee chairs, meets on a monthly basis. The board consists of both voting and non-voting technical advisors.