A lifetime ‘river rat’, Ron Bolduan was born and raised on the confluence of the Minnesota and Cottonwood Rivers in New Ulm, Minnesota. His boyhood was a Huck Finn existence of frolicking in and on the banks of the two rivers, cherishing the freedom to explore.
    Later in life, Ron involved himself with numerous organizations dedicated to protecting and revitalizing these deteriorating resources. His goal was to pass along an opportunity for future generations to share similar experiences and to increase awareness of what awesome natural treasures these waterways are.
    Working with groups dedicated to cleaning up and improving the rivers, he was moved to document the beauty and value of these resources. A professional photographer, Ron subscribes to the picture being worth a thousand words dictum, and in 1991 set out to do a photo study of the Minnesota River Basin. Today he delights in bringing audiences the natural beauty, culture and history unique to this special place in Minnesota.
    Ron also presents many youth group/school environmental education programs. Utilizing both photography and hands-on displays of natural artifacts these interactive programs are terrific learning experiences.
    Along with his involvement in river advocacy groups, Ron is a longtime member and past president of the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway Alliance, a founding member of the Minnesota River Watershed Alliance, founding member and coordinator of the River Ranger Program, and Curator of the Regional River History Center in New Ulm. His photos from the Minnesota River basin appear in numerous publications, websites and videos, both regionally and nationally.

“It will require public resolve that this river, overlooked far too long, is worth restoring to health.”

 THE MINNESOTA
A River In Need Of Restoration
Star Tribune Editorial           Sunday, December 12, 1999

     Seven years before this declaration from the Star Tribune, nature photographer/naturalist Ron Bolduan began a quest to capture on film the truth of this statement.   Validation is not only available; it is overwhelming.  The Minnesota River, even blemished, is a treasure to be valued and cherished.

     Born and raised in New Ulm, Minnesota, Ron’s childhood was spent fishing and foraging the Minnesota and Cottonwood Rivers.  Middle age found Ron returning to these rivers with a growing appreciation for the beauty and charm taken for granted, plus an increasing awareness of how our neglect has taken its toll.

     Concerned with the deterioration of these rivers, he connected with numerous river environmental groups.  Seeing the dedication and work being put forth by organizations within the Minnesota River Basin, he realized a need for promoting all that is good to heighten the awareness of what we stand to lose.

     Having gathered extensive samples of nature’s diversity within this system, both pictorially and with natural artifacts, Ron set out in 1998 to share them.  He launched slide campaigns to ‘spread the word’ about what we have right under our noses and have been collectively ignoring.

     Ron is a member of the Minnesota River Scenic Byway Alliance, The Friends of the Minnesota Valley, Minnesota Association for Environmental Education (MAEE}, Eco-Education Outreach Program, and many other environmental and river organizations.

      Some of his greatest rewards in this endeavor is the delight others derive from seeing October colors reflected on the water, spying mink at play, watching canoes glide down the river, or savoring the simple delicacy of a milkweed seed pod.  Along with slides, Ron offers an opportunity to handle the collection of bones from valley inhabitants who passed this way many years ago, along with the artifacts of current wildlife.  This offers a ‘hands-on’ insight into the continuity of life within this ecosystem.

     For Ron, one of the most cherished comments heard after a presentation is, “I had no idea there was so much out there.”  Many of us don’t until we truly look.  Upcoming programs offer an opportunity to take that look!