July 31 at 11:30 am ET – Mindfulness and Movement
Join us for our monthly Mindfulness & Movement Webinar and discover proven methods to reduce stress and re-energize your efforts in water work and beyond. Led by Jonathan Relucio, a mindfulness expert with 20+ years of experience, these 45-minute sessions offer tools to recharge, refocus, and reduce stress. This FREE event is open to everyone—community leaders, family, friends, co-workers, and volunteers.
Yes, Our Voices Improved Congress’ Big, Ugly Bill!
Despite claiming to save money and improve the economy, the U.S. Congress’ tax and spending bill will undoubtedly cause significant hardship to everyday people. It’s important, however, to remember when the power of our collective voices do make a difference. For example, calls to legislators and pushback from people like you, resulted in saving the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from mining and removing the sell-off of millions of acres of public lands across 11 western states. Additionally, the bill does not cut any current water infrastructure funding – a win for now! Freshwater Future will keep you updated on future opportunities to support critical federal funding as Congress works on next year’s budget.
Landback Victory for Four Anishinaabe First Nations in Western Ontario
The Nigigoonsiminikaaning, Naicatchewenin, Couchiching, and Mitaanjigamiing First Nations, collectively known as the Agency One First Nations, had an extra special reason to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day back in June. The day before, June 20th, an Ontario Superior Court judge ruled that the Town of Fort Frances has no legal right to occupy a First Nations Reserve, Point Park, nor the right to monetary compensation. In the 19th century, the federal government made this park, Agency One’s traditional gathering and trading place, into Reserve One. However, the local settlers illegally signed a 99-year land lease with the Canadian federal government that expired over 20 years ago and, until this ruling, continued to claim it. Freshwater Future congratulates Agency One on their victory and reunification with the waters of Rainy Lake and Rainy River!
Illinois Adds More High-Risk Communities to Universal Childhood Lead Testing List
The Illinois Department of Public Health added 180 high-risk zip codes across 47 counties to its universal childhood blood lead level testing program that will begin next year. Under state law, the children in these 1,350+ zip codes will be automatically tested at 12 and 24 months old, and all children under 6 years of age will be screened annually by health care professionals. If a child’s blood level exceeds a certain level (5 micrograms per deciliter), the family will receive a home inspection to find and remove sources of lead and a nurse will visit to provide education to the family. No amount of lead is safe – Learn how to protect yourself and your family from lead in drinking water with Freshwater Future’s resources and toolkits.
