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By Rachel Kytonen
rachel.kytonen@ecm-inc.com
For over 20 years, one local citizen’s group has made a difference in promoting the environment through various projects and efforts.
The Isanti County Environmental Coalition formed in the fall of 1989, and 20 years later, continues to keep an active voice and presence in the community.
The coalition—founded by Susan Blom, Rob Lininger and Ron McGriff— currently has around 40 members. It’s a nonpartisan volunteer citizen’s group whose purpose is to promote individual and community stewardship of our local natural resources and to increase environmental awareness through a continuing educational program.
Blom explained that she and Lininger started the coalition in 1989 in response to the metropolitan airport proposal and proposed medical waste incinerator.
Over the years the coalition has sponsored Earth Day festivals; county park days; clean-ups of the Rum River; written articles for local newspapers; helped build a bog walk in a county park and planted native plants; conducted a wetlands study of a county park; sponsored workshops and lectures on land trusts, native orchids, wetlands and environmental friendly lighting; and have donated pictures and paintings of the county to the county courthouse.
The coalition has adopted two long range issues to focus on:
• The promotion of planned and controlled development through participation and periodic revisions of the county’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance.
• The promotion of wildlife/green corridors both as a public value and use of this concept in park and green space planning. The group is willing to make a 20 minute presentation on wildlife corridors to any interested community group.
Thoughts on the environment
During an environmental coalition meeting on Nov. 2, members shared reasons for belonging to the coalition and their thoughts on pressing environmental concerns.
Coalition member Greg Gillett of Ogilvie has been coming to meetings for 11 years.
“I come because I like the people and enjoy the camaraderie,” Gillett said. “People really need to change their lifestyle and the way we live. We need to stop everything that isn’t returnable. We need to look at everything we do, and need to completely change the way we live.”
Mike Mueller, DNR area hydrologist, started working in Cambridge in 1989, but lived in Chisago County at the time.
He’s been a member of the coalition since moving to Cambridge 11 years ago.
“I joined the group because I was so impressed with the group of citizens working together in Isanti County and my own personal philosophy with caring about the environment,” Mueller said. “As far as environmental concerns, we really need to pay attention to water quality and overpopulation.”
Bill Carlson of Cambridge, who is very active with parks, trails and Active Living by Design, focuses on local projects.
“My focus is on doing things locally to preserve the habitat, with a focus on trails, and doing things locally to help the environment,” Carlson said. “I joined the group because I like to meet people who like the environment and are like-minded.”
Marilyn Rima of Cambridge, said she joined the group after being invited by current member Mary Lagaard.
Pictured: A member of the Isanti County Environmental Coalition does some work in one of the county parks.
“I think we continue to come to the meetings because we’ve met some wonderful friends here, and found a sense of community,” Rima said. “We all have shared interests and I’ve learned a tremendous amount from this group. I really enjoy focusing on the little things as individuals. Climate change and energy abuse are the two biggest things I’m concerned with.”
Dana Rima said he values the drive the coalition members have.
“What I’m most impressed with you folks is you are all here to make a difference,” D. Rima said. “The truth is we all can do a little to make a difference. I’ve learned so much from all of you, and enjoy being a part of this group.“
Lininger, who has a bachelor’s degree in ecology and whose vocation is psychology, said he’s interested in environmental issues and pleased with the local coalition group.
“I’ve been working on environmental issues since I was 18,” Lininger said. “What’s most striking about this group is how competent and intelligent this group is. The level of competence and ability to do things and get things done with this group is gratifying.”
Current members
The Isanti County Environmental Coalition meets the first Monday of every month, beginning with a potluck at 6:30 p.m. Meeting locations vary.
Current members of the coalition include:
Susan Blom and Rob Lininger; Myri & Dan Moran; Ron McGriff; Bill Carlson; Jean and Joe Crocker; Sandy and Ken Reine; Gary Moss; Carolyn and Christopher Bornhauser; Kriste Ericsson; Jamie and Gregg Gillett; Dee and Mike Mueller; Charlotte and Wally Hed; Mary and Scott Lagaard; Janis and Leo Dehler; Pat and Whitey Sundberg; Kathy Jones; Kameron Kytonen; Lois and Harold Jones; Marilyn and Dana Rima; ARC Retreat Center; Dennis Nelson; Nancy Conger and Tom Anderson; Barry Wendorf and Karen Lee.
For more information visit the group’s Web site at www.icec-online.org or contact Rob Lininger or Susan Blom at 763-689-5250 or Ron McGriff at 320-396-3957.
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