Bluffs2Backwaters: Celebrating Our Waters and the Community That Cares for Them

By Brittany Hennessy

The second annual Bluffs2Backwaters was a wonderful reminder of what happens when a community comes together around something we all have a stake in protecting: our water and natural resources.

Hosted by the Recreation Alliance of Winona, this year’s event brought paddlers, families, youth, conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, and community partners together for a day centered on recreation, education, and stewardship.

Three paddling events, Dam2Dam, Ripple Run, and Paddles Your Buns Off, allowed participants to experience our waterways from a different perspective while celebrating the beauty of the Mississippi River and surrounding waters.

Just as importantly, Bluffs2Backwaters created opportunities for the next generation to build a relationship with the outdoors. Youth got out on the water to learn paddling, dozens of kids tried fishing, and young people had opportunities to learn about the natural resources in their own backyard. Experiences like these foster the curiosity, appreciation, and sense of responsibility essential to conservation.

The day also demonstrated that stewardship and recreation can go hand in hand. More than 200 people gathered for live music, while families and community members enjoyed activities, explored the outdoors, and connected with one another.

At its heart, Bluffs2Backwaters is about creating a deeper connection between people and place. When people spend time on the water, learn about the resources around them, and experience those resources together, they are more likely to value and protect them.

We are especially grateful to the Will Dilg Chapter of the Izaak Walton League and our many other partners, volunteers, sponsors, and participants who helped make the event possible. Your support helps create opportunities for people of all ages to experience, understand, and appreciate the natural resources that make our region unique.

Bluffs2Backwaters is still growing, and we’re excited about what comes next. We hope that this event becomes an annual tradition, one that brings people together not only to enjoy our waterways, but to develop a stronger understanding of why they matter and a shared commitment to caring for them.

Because when we love our waters, we have even more reason to protect them.