Local Leader: Diane Hofstede, President, The Great River Coalition

Article by Becky Fillinger

Diane at the Mill City Farmers Market, photo providedThe 51st Anniversary of Earth Day is April 22nd. Locally, The Great River Coalition is celebrating the 6th annual Earth Week 5K Bee Run/Walk/Bike event virtually! We talked to Diane Hofstede, President, about the logistics of this year’s event and dressing for success for the popular pollinator fun run.   

Q:  What’s different with the 5K event this year?

A: Many events continue to be postponed with the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re going forward with a virtual version of the 6th Annual Earth Week 5K Bee Run/Walk/Bike! Participants may run our traditional route originating at Boom Island Park and through the only National Park offering scenic views of the Mississippi River, or choose your own route. You can complete your virtual event any time during Earth Week, April 17-24, 2021.

We’re encouraging participants to bring family members and friends along on your virtual Run/Walk/Bike. Please be creative with pollinator costumes and post pictures to our Facebook or Instagram sites! Each paid participant gets a tech t-shirt, a Mill City Running 20% discount and a chance to win big prizes! Register here: https://register.chronotrack.com/r/60015.

Q:  Why is this event necessary? 

A:  Pollinators, throughout the world, are suffering declines in population due to loss of habitat, chemicals, and changes in climate. Please join us in our efforts to save one of the most important and valuable creatures on earth! Interested in doing more? How about being on our board? Board openings are available for consideration by sending an email to diane@greatrivercoalition.com.

Q:  You collaborate with St. Catherine University for this event. How did this partnership come about?

A:  We have many wonderful partners, one of which is St. Catherine University. One of Great River Coalition board members is a St. Catherine University graduate, and she suggested we invite the University to join us as we expanded the event and our mission to protect and provide additional pollinator gardens. St. Catherine’s is a natural fit because the University campus has developed pollinator gardens, installed bee hives on the roof of one of their buildings and produces the honey for sale to support their gardens, and the bees. Additional gardens are being planned for the University campus and the Minneapolis side of the river this spring from the donations for the event. More information will bee available soon! Also, the Apparel Merchandising Design students at St. Catherine University created wonderfully inspiring costumes to celebrate this year’s Earth Week.

Q:  Participants are encouraged to dress in pollinator costumes. Will you select winning costumes? 

A: We anticipate that selecting costume winners will “bee” tough! Great River Coalition has a group of volunteers, students and board members who have agreed to be the judges. GRC welcomes anyone who would like to participate in the judging to send an email to diane@greatrivercoalion.com. Too be eligible for prizes, compete as the winning costumes, register for the Earth Week week-long event at https://register.chronotrack.com/r/60015.

Donations from the registration will be used to expand pollinator gardens. We can’t wait to see you and your costumes on our social media!