Watershed Protection

Research roundup: Is cropland ag carbon sequestration as effective as we want it to be?

by Trevor Russell

February 9, 2021

Storing greenhouse gases in cropland soils is all the rage these days, as Fortune 500 companies, conservation initiatives and even the Biden administration seek to reward farmers for sequestering carbon beneath our feet. But how sound is this approach? We pulled together some of the latest news about no-till farming, cover crops and how effectively these practices sequester carbon. >>

Saving the baby AND the bathwater: New hope for a sensible Clean Water Rule

by Peter LaFontaine

January 11, 2021

Back in 2019, the Trump administration adopted new regulations that significantly undermine how our nation's public water supplies are protected. Now, an independent review has found that the federal government's decision-making process was fundamentally flawed. Will the Biden administration reverse the rollbacks? >>

How water gets from our river to the tap (and back)

by Peter LaFontaine

November 2, 2020

Do you know where your drinking water comes from? And what happens when you flush your toilet? We've plumbed the depths for the best podcasts and articles that can answer all your questions on public water systems in the Twin Cities. >>

Minnesota gets a bad report card for nitrate reduction (part one)

by Trevor Russell

October 14, 2020

In the first of a two-part series, we’ll look at the results of the state’s recent nutrient reduction report card. The results are ... not good. >>

MPCA report: The Upper Mississippi's upstream crud

by Peter LaFontaine

August 21, 2020

A new report from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency finds that the Upper Mississippi River from Grand Rapids to Brainerd is impaired with too much sediment. What can we do about it? >>

Study: human-made pollutants in remote, undeveloped lakes?

by Trevor Russell

July 7, 2020

A recent story from Minnesota Public Radio shines a light on some unexpected (and unnerving) new findings. Even in Minnesota’s relatively remote and pristine lakes, researchers are finding human-made contaminants of concern. >>

Dust in the wind (spreads toxic algae)

by Peter LaFontaine

July 4, 2020

Pristine lakes in remote parts of Minnesota — and around the country — are beginning to suffer from blooms of toxic algae, and scientists are piecing together a troubling answer as to why. >>