The Kinni Corridor Collaborative
The Kinni Corridor Collaborative (KinniCC) is a community-led, non-profit organization working with the City and other stakeholders to implement the Kinnickinnic River Corridor Plan (KRCP). While we will be working closely with the City to complete many of tasks outlined in the KRCP, we are not a government entity. Some of our members were involved with the planning process, however our organization was created after the plan was approved by the River Falls City Council.
Our Mission:
To work collaboratively with public and private organizations and individuals to assemble the technical and financial resources needed to implement the current Kinnickinnic River Corridor Plan while
preserving the ecology and beauty of the Kinnickinnic River.
Kinnickinnic River Falls
Committees
Public relations
Our Public Relations committee tells the KinniCC story through word, photos and videos. This committee meets monthly to plan community outreach and educational activities. Our committee members attend events, maintain social media and web pages, publish our quarterly newsletter The Corridor, send out press releases and more! We are actively seeking volunteers to assistance at events with answering questions, encouraging support for our mission, and talk about the Kinni Corridor Plan projects. Click below to sign up!
Finance
Our Finance committee coordinates reports and donor relations with our Board and Treasurer. Committee members user their expertise in finance to help us identify key contacts as individuals and businesses that support our mission. Activities include monthly and annual review of financial information. Click below to sign up!
Projects & Funding
Our Projects & Funding Committee is leading the way in implementing Kinni Corridor Plan projects. Current focus is the Powell Falls Dam removal and restoration, River Stewardship and the Community Forest 40 acre acquisition. This team coordinates closely with the City of River Falls and other partners to support the design, funding and implementation of each project.
Join Duke Welter and other TU and UWRF volunteers on our project team.
Board of Directors
Judie Foster Babcook
Judie Foster Babcook
Judie Foster Babcook
Judie is a fifth generation member of one of River Falls founding families, The Fosters, so it isn’t hard to see why she loves this area so much! In fact, the Kinni is her favorite part of the area. “The peace and serenity of being near the Kinni – it has a healing effect for me.” Judie describes herself as a serial philanthropist and loves serving on non-profit boards. She believes whole-heartedly in the mission of the KinniCC and the power of community voices making her perfect to serve as our President!
Duke Welter
Judie Foster Babcook
Judie Foster Babcook
John “Duke” Welter is an avid outdoorsman and game cook. His day job is Outreach Coordinator for Trout Unlimited’s Driftless Area Restoration Effort so you can see why he is a great asset to our Board of Directors! Duke is most excited to help our organization find the funding for the projects outlined in the Kinnickinnic River Corridor Plan. If he could tell you one thing, it would be “Keep in your mind the benefits to be had from a healthy, free-flowing river – environmental, recreational, economic, and aesthetic – and together we will accomplish this vision.”
Katelyn Meyer
Judie Foster Babcook
Scott Eickschen
Katelyn, our hardworking Secretary, is a busy mom who loves spicy foods. If she’s not busy with her kids, you might see her running, kayaking, or riding her motorcycle. While she has never served on a board before, Katelyn is very excited to get involved and give back to the community she grew up in. “I want to make a good impact and develop a positive, balanced relationship with the community, the people, and nature.”
Scott Eickschen
Scott Eickschen
Scott Eickschen
Local business owner, Scott Eickschen, is also an avid outdoorsman, husband and fisherman. When he isn’t busy ensuring all of his guests at the Country Inn enjoy their stay in River Falls, you will likely find him enjoying the great outdoors. He loves to fish making him extremely passionate about all of the local streams, lakes and rivers. His love of fishing and the outdoors are just some of the reasons Scott is so excited and humbled to be part of our Board. He can’t wait for us to start working on our first project “I am most excited for the day we break ground on the first major project of the corridor plan. It will be very fun and exciting to help iron out details, compile and review bids, finalize scheduling and logistics, etc."
David Babcock
Scott Eickschen
Michelle Maher
David has worked in IT Management for a handful of companies but is now retired. He is married to Judie Foster Babcock who is a fifth generation descendant of Judge Joel Foster. It was David's father-in-law, Bruce Foster, who helped to instill in David an abiding love for River Falls and the Kinni. He has served on the board for a number of local non-profits such as Saint Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity and River Falls Food Pantry in addition to helping Kinni River Land Trust by serving as a temporary office manager. David was already a member of the KinniCC Public Relations Committee and has assumed the role of Treasurer for us.
Michelle Maher
Scott Eickschen
Michelle Maher
Michelle is a small business owner in downtown River Falls. She loves the river and the community. She talks to people everyday about the opportunities and issues we face. Michelle supports the Kinni Corridor Plan as a guide for investment the community that will lead to economic development.
Amanda Hanson
Amanda Hanson
Amanda Hanson
Amanda has been married to her husband, Aaron, for nearly 9 years and is the mom to a feisty 2 year old girl. When she isn't busy with her family or working as an event coordinator for Marcus Theatres, Amanda enjoys watching sports, throwing in a dart league and spending time outdoors. She has been with us since we were established as an organization, serving on our Public Relations committee.What aspect of the Board of Directors is Amanda most excited for? "I am excited to help keep the community informed and educated as we progress. It is going to take all of us to make this plan a success and being transparent with our community is a big part of working together."