Bendery City Museum of Ethnography & Natural History, Moldova
Rodger Ehnstrom Nature Center, Wahpeton, N.Dak.

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About the Project

Despite their vast differences, the cities of Bendery, Moldova and Wahpeton, N.Dak. have one thing in common: a reliance on their local rivers. Fearing the effects of an increasing world population and environmental challenges such as pollution, museums, nature centers, NGOs and schools in the two communities came together to address their concerns and evaluate ways that volunteer involvement can help keep the Red and Dniester Rivers clean and healthy. By celebrating the importance of water during river festivals in both countries and by exploring educational methods to teach younger generations about the watersheds and best management practices, the U.S. and Moldovan participants helped to raise awareness of and appreciation for this vital natural resource. The project culminated in a declaration of the two rivers as Sister Rivers, paving the way for a long-lasting relationship between their communities.

News and Resources

Sister Rivers,River Keepers

Barnesville Meets Moldova…River Watch Students Join in Sister Rivers Project (pdf),Barnesville Record Review, May 31, 2010