Get Involved in We Are Water Otter Tail County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Otter Tail County is hosting a cool, new project called We Are Water MN. It’s run by the Minnesota Humanities Center, and it’s a traveling exhibit and community engagement initiative. The exhibit will be showcased at the Fergus Falls Public Library from August 18-October 10, 2022. There are spaces for people to talk with their neighbors, add their own stories and water actions, and learn from video and audio stories. There are also puzzles, puppets, and kids’ books so the littlest learners can participate too!
You’re invited!
We invite students of all ages, members of social organizations and business partners to participate in the exhibit. Our goal in hosting the event for people in Otter Tail County to have an opportunity to share the important relationships they have with water, create an awareness about local water issues and increase education about water in Minnesota and particularly in Otter Tail County.
What is in the exhibit?
The exhibit features statewide and local information about Minnesota’s position as the headwaters of three major basins; the sacredness of water to Minnesota’s first peoples, the Dakota and Ojibwe; land changes over time; the current stresses on water; steps needed to make progress; and stories about the meaning and use of water by local people. Local content is added through audio, maps, water quality information, and inspirational stories from people who live in Otter Tail County.
How can you be involved?
- Attend the Water Is Life Event on April 22 at the Fergus Falls Public Library from 2:30-5:30 p.m. and share your story at the Water Bar.
- Make 2022 the year of water for your church, classroom, organization, club, writer’s or book clubs, business and your community.
- Train to be a volunteer at the site to engage with participants as they interact in the exhibit.
- Arrange for students to attend the exhibit.
- Host or attend local water events throughout the year.
- Participate in the exhibit.
Let’s make 2022 the year of water in Otter Tail County and celebrate our relationship to water and our connections to each other! Look for upcoming We Are Water events such as a day on the water paddling, a booth at the county fairs, and an online photo contest. If you plan a water related event, please contact Shannon Terry at 218-671-3445 or [email protected] so your event can be shared on the We Are Water webpage ottertailcountymn.us/we-are-water-mn
About We Are Water
We Are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.