In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the importance of high quality water resources is well appreciated by residents. Interest in the NEMO Program from the upper Midwest came early and from several different sources.

In the western Lake Superior Basin, the Minnesota Sea Grant Program in Duluth and the University of Wisconsin- Superior Cooperative Extension Program were focusing on the bi-state Minnesota/ Wisconsin Lake Superior Watershed. The rapidly urbanizing Twin Cities region formed the other area of interest in NEMO. A consortium of partners headed by the Minnesota Erosion Control Association and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources coordinated the Twin Cities' effort. Staff from the National NEMO Hub office held scoping sessions in Duluth and the Twin Cities in 1999 and 2000 to help organize both efforts. These two programs have since joined together and are now coordinating their outreach efforts under the Northland NEMO moniker.

The Lake Superior Basin Program began with the bi-state Minnesota/Wisconsin Lake Superior watershed, and has begun to spread its efforts to surrounding areas. This portion of the Northland NEMO is particularly interested in working with small underdeveloped communities, and is working with a variety of partners to provide both educational and technical assistance to these under-served municipalities. Initial and continuing support comes from NOAA Sea Grant’s Coastal Community Development Program and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The Twin Cities portion of the Northland NEMO Program is made up of more than a dozen partners who help deliver the message in various regions of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Through this network of statewide partnerships, the program can quickly address the needs and land use issues specific to individual communities. These partnerships bring together regional, state and private natural resource agencies and organizations to deliver a coherent and consistent message to the decision-makers and citizens of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The partners also support Northland's efforts, either financially or through in-kind donations of time and resources. Funding for this two year-old program has come from: the Metropolitan Council, a regional planning agency to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area; the McKnight Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the 3M Corporation; the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and; the Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program.

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