Originally published in Lake of the Woods Area News, Volume 55, Number 2, Spring 2025
For the 22nd consecutive year, friends and colleagues who work in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed gathered at the International Rainy–Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum, March 12–13 at the Minnesota North College–Rainy River Campus in International Falls, Minnesota.
Since 2004, the Forum has been the only professional symposium for scientists and resource managers working on research and management activities related to the multi-national Rainy–Lake of the Woods watershed to showcase, celebrate and interrogate their science, research, and international, interagency cooperation for management and policymaking. The Forum is also a crucial incubator for new ideas and for forging new partnerships, filled with hearty conversations that lead to enhancing and developing new projects and collaborations, making best use of limited resources.
In many respects, this year was no different than any other year. Over 100 attendees representing more than 40 organizations participated in the two–day symposium. Science was in the spotlight, robust conversation filled every hallway during the breaks, and bellies were nourished with excellent food provided by the Coffee Landing in International Falls.
But this year’s Forum was also exceptional. In 2025, amidst heightened international political tensions, the Forum organizing committee took great pains to carefully navigate dynamic conditions and emerging complexities, while keeping politics to the side. We committed to hosting an event that focused on science and cementing the relationships that are so essential to accomplishing complex, multijurisdictional research and management. Cooperation was paramount. When some agencies’ participation was restricted or curtailed through political directives, others stepped forward to fill capacity gaps and ensure continuity in presenting results from years-long, multi-party collaborations.
Attendees agreed we must continue to work together, ensuring we preserve opportunities for collaboration for water quality monitoring, enhancing climate resilience, developing and implementing long-term management plans, and more—truly an inspiring, powerful week, pairing nuanced, citizen-led diplomacy alongside stalwart science.
During the Forum week, side meetings of the International Multi-Agency Arrangement, a coalition of international government agencies working in the watershed, helped solidify a shared work plan for 2025 and iron out details for an international, interagency water quality monitoring program for Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.
There was also space in the week dedicated to honouring cherished colleagues.
Jesse Anderson, a research scientist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, delivered a stirring tribute to Nolan Baratono (d. January 8, 2025), a dear friend, colleague and true champion of the watershed. Nolan trained and mentored many of today’s leading scientists and researchers in the basin and was also instrumental in initiating the enduring cross-border collaboration that is the cornerstone of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed work.
At the Forum reception banquet, Todd Sellers was recognized by the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation for his 20 years as Executive Director and driver of the Forum.
Shane and Kayla Bowe from the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources received the 2025 Larry Kallemeyn Award, presented on behalf of scientists and resource managers from the United States and Canada working in our watershed, in recognition of outstanding scientific contributions. Shane and Kayla are the first-ever team recipients, as well as the only married couple ever to receive the Kallemeyn Award. They were recognized for their instrumental role in developing tribal connections with Lake of the Woods groups through their efforts in monitoring, watershed planning, multi-agency coordination, their participation and leadership in working groups, and their leadership in mentoring youth through the Red Lake Tribal college.
Doug Franchot was awarded the 2025 Wilson Stewardship Award. Doug was honoured with this international award in recognition of his exceptional legacy of volunteerism, stewardship, and education across the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed. A resident of International Falls, MN, Doug is a founding member of the Heart of the Continent Partnership, the former Chair University of Minnesota / Northeast Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (RSDP) and the Chair of the Koochiching Extension Committee/Koochiching County Board. A supporter of Voyageurs National Park, he has chaired the Board of Directors of the Voyageurs Conservancy. Doug is also a member of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board where he is also the co-chair for the Community Advisory Group.
More information about the Forum can be found at lowwsf.com/watershed-forum.
