Redwood Area Communities Foundation - Tatanka Bluffs Corridor, Inc

The Redwood Area Communities Foundation - Tatanak Bluffs Corridor Inc has a wonderful vision for creating and developing an outdoor recreation industry and other focus areas which needs to be better communicated with transparancy and direction. Like many non profits, these are challenging times and they have been unable to budget enough financial resources to develop a truly first class wedsite which we feel will move this regional initiative to the next level. We understand that with the emergence of many new forms of social media which could be included in this website we see a huge potential to reach audiences that we normally would not be able to communicate with and share this vision. Please support this non-profits application for this year's Challenge.

This group is one of the most effective grass-roots organization I have ever come across in my six years as director of a conservation nonprofit. They have effectively competed for two million dollars of state funding for conservation acquisition, and partnered with other conservation nonprofits and the state of minnesota department of natural resources in utilizing this funding for the longterm benefit of the region's residents. They truly are posed to make their corner of the world greener.

Tatanka Bluffs Inc. has a vision for the future of Redwood and Renville Counties as an oudoor recreation destination. With an idea to address complex economic challenges facing Greater Minnesota, the founders have effectively developed a plan to create new ways, beyond agriculture, to grow the economy in a rural setting. It has taken caring people working together, side by side, to make this happen. Continuing to develop and grow partnerships is and will remain key to the success of completing the vision. Through use of a first class website, we could share the dream, document the progress, and provide a method for supporters to connect efficiently. Help Tatanka Bluffs Inc. spread their message and accomplish their goals by selecting them for the Nerdery Overnight Website Challenge.

The goal of making the upper Minnesota River Valley a destination point for recreation, education, and relaxation, is one that many local people and groups have been working on for many years. The historical, cultural, and recreational resources of the area are they type that people are constantly looking for to enjoy their leisure time. In order to make people aware of the interesting and fun opportunities that Redwood and Renville counties have to offer, it makes sense to focus on a contemporary communication source that is most frequently used by the public, the World Wide Web. A well constructed and appealing website would be the most effective and efficient means by which Tatanka Bluffs Corridor, Inc. could market the area to the greatest number of people.

Having served as the editor/publisher/general manager in several rural Minnesota newspapers, I have had first hand experiences with grass-root organizations attempting to make their respective communities better. Upon meeting some of the folks with the Tatanka Bluffs, I have been amazed at their unselfish desire to make the communities they call home a viable and sustainable destination for both drawing visitors to the area, and giving those of us who live and work here communities we can be proud to call "home." With the addition of a website, the Tatanka Bluffs vision and values can reach a greater audience and can use the site to better connect to more and more individuals who can both benefit from, and help make possible their wonderful vision and goals.

I am currently researching the hidden history of the Minnesota River valley for a book I've been contracted to write for The History Press. After reviewing historical events along the entire length of the Minnesota River, my editor suggested that I include the entire region, but concentrate on the central portion, due to the number of important historical sites within Redwood and Renville counties.

There is no question some of the most important moments in our state's history have occurred along the Tatanka Bluffs Corridor, and those events should be taught fearlessly, honestly, and fairly. Raising the profile of the Tatanka Bluffs Corridor is incredibly important for the joint efforts by organizations from Brown's Valley to Saint Paul, for cleaning up and improving water quality, and restoring and preserving the valley's environmental assets.

I can think of no better way to support, promote, and educate about the work done by this non-profit group, than by providing a top-notch website for recording and broadcasting their progress.

With the creation of a professional and attractive website, this grass-root organization will be able to expand the support and have a central location for proponents to view and support the development of this project. In addition, this media will expand the demographic of individuals interested in the development and progress of this project with a wealth of information, support, and ideas. It will also help brand the creation of this initiative.

Since the inception of Tatanka Bluffs, Inc., the founding group has been working in earnest to find funding for the project to support (1) future real estate purchases of land on the Minnesota River, (2) securement of staffing for the project, and (3) dollars to implement a marketing program to raise awareness for the project and aid in the overall fund raising effort. While start up funding has been commited by the MN Legislature, distribution of the funds is forthcoming and the launch of a comprehensive marketing/promotion program has consequentially not been fully funded.

The development of a professionally designed website would play an integral role in the overall Tatanka Bluffs marketing program and allow the group to efficiently and effectively communicate the features and benefits of the project to the local community, to current landowners along the Minnesota River, to potential donors, and to Minnesotans throughout the state seeking a new destination to visit. As "first impressions" remain a reality in life, the first impressions left by a high quality, high visibility website would be lasting in the short and long term and aid Tatanka Bluffs, Inc. tremendously in achieving their overall goals and objectives to provide lifetime benefits to the public via a truly unique tourism and educational offering in Southwestern Minnesota. This is a great project which has tremendous merit and warrants your consideration to be selected as a website development honoree.

Ditto ... in reference to what previous testimonials have stated. Tatanka Bluffs has engaged a diverse group of people and convinced us that we can create a framework that will give people near and far an idea of what our region has to offer. It all boils down to a "quality of life" that we recognize, honor and hope to share with others. A related group that formed with this in mind is Tatanka Arts. We received support and encouragement from Tatanka Bluffs as we launched our own non-profit arts group a couple of years ago. We serve Redwood and Renville counties and many of our people and projects overlap with the umbrella Tatanka Bluffs initiative. A website that services Tatanka Bluffs will also help give exposure to Tatanka Arts and the rich arts & culture of our region. My opinion is that a quality website is KEY to our success. Thank you for your consideration and for your great program!

Southwestern Minnesota has a beauty and a history all its own. It also has a bright future it must claim. But bright futures don’t just happen – they are created by vision and hard work. Tatanka Bluffs Corridor has provided that 21st Century vision, and volunteers are supplying the necessary hard work. Count me as “grateful.” Although I live in eastern Minnesota now, I grew up in Redwood Falls, enjoying the parks and rivers every season of the year. Because of your efforts, fifty years from now someone else will write a similar note of thanks and encouragement.

The vision and commitment of the Tatanka Bluffs volunteers and stakeholders is proven. Volunteers, board members and related public officials have been, are and will be in this for the long haul. As a native of the Birch Coulee valley (rural Morton) and a stakeholder in the lands that drain in the Hawk Creek and Birch Coulee watersheds (to the Minnesota River), I express profound gratitude for what these people and this concept means to the value of the resources in this region. My family has artifacts in the Renville County Museum, the Minnesota Historical Society Building ( St. Paul) and a local home or two in the Tatanka Bluffs region. It would be wonderful to bring these together in an interpretive center/history gathering place as Tatanka bluffs proposes.

I add that in past employment experiences as the founding executive director of the Southwest MN Initiative Fund (now Foundation), a planning consultant for the Mcknight Foundation and southwest Minnesota's Diocese of New Ulm and as a Renville County Human Services director; it is my opinion the region never has had such an innovative concept/resource proposed (or for that matter the energy and synergism that the leaders and the "united" public, private & non-profit representatives bring to the table). My support is unequivocal. Thomas P. Keaveny, Director, Catholic Charities- Diocese of New Ulm

The Redwood and Renville Counties area of the Minnesota River Basin is a special and unique place that few people know about. Tatanka Bluffs Inc. is working hard to connect more people to this resource and has support from the local, state and national levels. You can see it in the Green Corridor Project with assistance from the county commissioners, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service. The development of a new web site would be a great tool for telling the story of what is happening in these two counties as they diversify their economic resources along with helping to protect and improve the natural environment for today and future generations. The group has a way of attracting a diverse collection of people to bring attention to this amazing place along the Minnesota River.

A high quality website is needed for our Green Corridor/Tatanka Bluffs area. We would like the means to clearly communicate the core values of the citizens in our area. We love this MN River Valley and the surrounding area for the beauty, history, vital agriculture and the “off the beaten path” tranquility. We would like to share these assets with the world and share our passion to preserve, restore and respect these unique and priceless gifts.

Throughout my career as an educator, I have viewed the Tatanka Bluffs Corridor area to be one of the most historically important areas of the state. In it's natural setting, very few areas offer the combination of natural beauty with such an important historical background. The work being done by Tatanka Bluffs, Inc. serves to connect individual community sites while sharing the beauty and history of an undiscovered natural area. I have visited many sites throughout the United States, and I often find myself comparing other areas with this one. It is amazing on many levels, from the historical to the natural beauty to the educational (guess where the oldest known rock in North America is located? http://bulletin.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/81/12/3671). These are a few of the reasons I support the work of Takanka Bluffs, Inc.

It is critical to our future to clean up our rivers and streams.Tatanka Bluffs is a cost effective way to do this. Having a professional website would help fund raising.

Tatanka Bluffs, Inc. is an incredible asset for furthering the goals of the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway Alliance. The duties of the Byway Alliance are to, "educate residents and visitors about the recreational, scenic, historical, cultural and archaeological characteristics of the river valley." Tatanka Bluff's website highlighting the wonders of these two gems,Redwood and Renville Counties, will be a trememdous boost to our effort.
My experience with the folks of Tatanka Bluffs, Inc. has been nothing but positive. There is no doubt that such a group of dedicated people, promoting a very special area, will produce a website of great quality and benefit to the region.

Tatanka Bluffs Corridor is a must for receiving a web site grant...I have worked with several key individuals regarding this wonderful program for trailways, prairie restoration and natural habitat. I storngly support (along with others) this group. We need to do this for our future generations and we can rest easier, knowing our grandchildren and theirs will cherish and keep this world greener and waters more blue.

Tatanka Bluffs, Inc. is a grassroots, citizen based organization formed to promote the excellent natural, cultural, and historic assets in Redwood and Renville County, our 26 communities, and the Minnesota River Valley which "seams" us together. We need a professional web portal to share with a local, regional, state, nation, and global presences to promote our area for recreational and tourism opportunities. We established a simple one-page website, with a link to the Redwood Area Development Corporation where they are currently providing a web presence for Tatanka Bluffs through their organization's website. Both Economic development organizations in Redwood and Renville County serve as ex-officio members of the Tatanka Bluffs board and provide technical assistance to support their endeavors. Our two-county area is a "living history" of the State of Minnesota and having a professional web portal to showcase our natural assets is extremely important for the promotion of our region.

Julie Rath, Tatanka Bluffs Board of Directors, ExOfficio member, and Economic Development Specialist, Redwood Area Development Corporation

In today's world it is critical for any non-profit organization to have a functional web site that caters to potential advocates and constituents.
Tatanka Bluffs Inc. is no exception to this situation. Working with diverse networks demands a website that will connect those interest and fulfill
the need for this all too important project. This initiative will set the standard for such projects statewide and deserves to have all the tools necessary
to insure success through the various phases and aspects of the entire undertaking. I ask that you very sincerely consider this needed web site makeover for the benefit of all who are in the process of making the Minnesota River Watershed realize all of its potential. This is for all the citizens of our region and those who travel to experience the unique natural and historical treasures our great state has to offer.

I have been involved with promoting the wonders of the beautiful and historic Minnesota River Valley for a number of years. In that time, we have seen a lot of good work take place in an effort to promote the area. The Tatanka Bluffs organization is building on that and taking to an even higher level as they work to build awareness of the opportunities that the Minnesota River Valley offers both within the local and regional community but also on a statewide and interstate basis. Their work is greatly needed and website development is another very important way of getting the word out to travelers and those who would consider traveling to southwestern Minnesota. Linking together the communities that lie along the Minnesota River Valley in a joint effort to promote travel and tourism is a win-win scenario for everybody. While Granite Falls lies just outside of Renville County, we understand the importance of joining hands to promote our area and we wholeheartedly support this great work. Granite Falls is close to Upper Sioux Agency State Park which lies across the Minnesota River from Renville County and close to Redwood County. That state park is a jewel along the river and could greatly benefit from Tatanka Bluffs' work. They hold great promise for the future of our area. This is website development is an effort well deserving of strong financial support.

This organization is doing what it takes to preserve, protect, and share the rich history of our region for future generations. The Minnesota River Valley story dates back at least 3.6 billion years to the formation of Gneiss (the closest thing to original crust of the Earth that scientists have found) and includes the stories of the ancient River Warren, Lake Agassiz, and all of the rare native flora and fauna of the region. It is also the story of Native peoples before and after Columbus as well as the stories of pioneer settlement and westward expansion. It is the story of man and his environment as they evolved together over the years. If we can capture this story in the right way, we will be able to leave a meaningful legacy to the world. This organization is getting this done.

One of Tatanka Bluffs Inc.goal is to responsibly protect and promote the Minnesota River Valley as a tourist destination. Its Historic, Educational and true Breath Taking Beauty offers opportunites to make it the Next "Must see and experience destination. Tanka Bluffs Inc.passionate vision is shared by many as demonstrated by all the testimonies. The Nerdy Site would enable Tatanka Bluffs partners the necessary format to orchestrate and implement the steps needed to make this Vision a Reality.

Every community and area has something of value to offer. These folks are doing a very good job of showcasing the wonderful things the redwood valley corridor has to offer. I wonder just what they could do with the proper funding.A worthwhile project for this part of our state.