Itasca Waters – Team Up for Clean Waters.
The mission of Itasca Waters (formerly Itasca Water Legacy Partnership) is to “Team Up” with other organizations and concerned citizens to maintain abundant, clean water for our continued health, enjoyment, and a strong economy.
Since its inception in 2006, Itasca Waters has partnered with and received financial assistance (including a number of grants) from the Blandin Foundation, Bush Foundation, Itasca Coalition of Lake Associations, Itasca County, Itasca County Soil & Water Conservation District, Minnesota Board of Soil & Water Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, U.S. Forest Service, Itasca Community College and ISD #318 as well as several lake associations, other nonprofits, businesses and individuals.
Incorporated in 2010 and granted 501(c)3 status in 2011, IW has focused on education and research. Education projects include several full-day events for adults, an ongoing water day for 5th graders in the spring, a Shoreland Guide, co-hosting (with Minnesota Humanities) the 2019 six-week We are Water exhibit at the Reif, and the new Water Wisdom online education series. Research work includes the Deer-Pokegama study, purple loosestrife eradication, a study of the economic value of water in Itasca County, a Blandin grant for shoreland protection, and a Bush Foundation grant to study community solutions to protect water. IW organized the Aquatic Invasive Species program in 2014, transferring the program to the County in 2016-17.
For more information about Itasca Waters, view our 2021 annual report.
All activity, current and past, is available on our Reports page under “About” at www.ItascaWaters.org.
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The Board of Directors includes up to 15 voting members and an Advisory Board comprised of members with specific expertise. IW is always looking for volunteers and Board members—please contact us at info@itascawaters.org.