Earth Day founder to speak in St. Cloud

Gaylord Nelson, former Wisconsin governor and senator and founder of Earth Day, will be the featured speaker during a Lakes and Rivers Celebration in St. Cloud.

Nelson will talk about the challenges in protecting precious natural resources.

The Minnesota Lakes Association and the Rivers Council of Minnesota are hosting a Celebration of Minnesota's Lakes and Rivers Dinner Reception from 5:30 to 9 p.m. April 19 at the St. Cloud Civic Center. The evening will begin with a social hour, followed by dinner and Nelson's speech. All participants will be eligible for a door prize drawing and other drawings, a silent auction and a raffle for a Wenonah Spirit II canoe package ($1,200 value) will be held.

Cost is $15 for MLA and RCM members and $25 for non-members, which includes a membership in MLA and RCM. Tickets must be purchased in advanced. For more information, contact the Rivers Council of Minnesota at (320) 259-6800 or the Minnesota Lakes Association at (800) 515-5253.

The Rivers Council of Minnesota and the Minnesota Lakes Association are dedicated to working with the citizens of Minnesota to protect and improve the state's lakes and rivers.

They have programs designed to teach citizens how to measure the health of waterways, take action on what they learn and communicate the importance of lake and river protection to local, state and national decision makers, and to educate youths on being good water resource stewards.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Minnesota Lakes Association and the Rivers Council of Minnesota in their collaborative efforts to protect the lakes and rivers of Minnesota.