Conservation Minnesota

Happy Anniversary to the Inflation Reduction Act. 🎉 In just two years, the affordable clean energy plan has already created 312,900+ good jobs, collectively saved families $8.4 billion, and spurred $361 billion in climate investments!

Are we loving our lakes to death?

Unchecked development, lax regulation push Minnesota lakeshores to the edge Development has destroyed nearly half the natural shorelines that help protect Minnesota lakes from erosion and pollution. Reversing that means convincing people that their vision of beauty is killing the thing they love.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced a draft wastewater permit for the 3M Cottage Grove facility, containing some of the strongest limits on PFAS in MN history. This is an important opportunity to show support. Read more:

Strengthening Groundwater Protections from PFAS The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently announced a draft wastewater permit for the 3M Cottage Grove facility, containing some of the strongest limits on PFAS in Minnesota history. MPCA is currently accepting public comment on the proposal through August 30. Learn more!

Join the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency at a working session on the new cumulative impacts law as it applies to air permits. Join in person in Duluth, August 14, 5:30-7:30 at Lincoln Park Middle School. Or register for digital materials.

Cumulative impacts working session: Community benefit agreements This summer/fall, we will be holding various working sessions to start further developing the different parts and concepts of the new cumulative impacts law that applies to new facilities as well as some current facilities that are expanding or need to renew an air permit. Our next working session w...

Learning more about elk in Minnesota.

DNR to launch comprehensive study of northwest Minnesota elk in 2025 The DNR will contract with a helicopter crew that specializes in aerial capture to catch and collar up to 25 cows and 15 bulls each during the winters of 2025 and 2026, for a total of 80 adult elk.

Excited to be at Farmfest in Morgan, MN! Can’t wait to chat with folks about sustainable ag, environmental stewardship & how we can keep the MN Lottery working to protect our Great Outdoors! Stop by booth #2104 for some cold, clean water!

One year ago today, Governor Tim Walz stopped by our booth at Farmfest. This year he's been chosen as the Democratic VP Nominee.

There's still time to join us as an AmeriCorps Community Steward in Bemidji, Winona, or St. Cloud. Support our projects, encourage climate action, and help community members & local organizations make sustainable choices. Deadline to apply is Aug 7!

Job Opportunity: Community Stewards Conservation Minnesota is partnering with Americorps to hire several Community Stewards to start in August. The Stewards will be hired and compensated by Ampact but managed and mentored by Conservation Minnesota's Public Engagement Director.

Did you know that yard waste is packed with phosphorus, algae's favorite treat? Be sure to keep those grass clippings and leaves away from the street, preventing yard waste from finding its way into storm drains and water bodies. Together, we'll create a vibrant and algae-free environment for everyone to enjoy!

"The impact of these partnerships is even greater when supported by good recycling policy, like MN's recently enacted Packaging Waste & Cost Reduction Act. American Beverage, Closed Loop Partners, Eureka and other private and nonprofit groups supported this law because it establishes a true Extended Producer Responsibility program for packaging. Once up and running, MN's EPR system will increase access to recycling, create local jobs and save municipalities money."

Tackling waste requires partnerships - MinnPost Work is underway to keep more valuable resources in use, and the private sector can make a difference.

"The critical need for public investment in an agricultural system that builds resilient farms, landscapes and communities is clearer than ever."

Regenerative agriculture vision for Minnesota must continue The need for public investment in an agricultural system that builds resilient farms and Minnesota communities is clearer than ever.

We recently hosted Commissioners Arnold (Commerce), Kessler (MPCA), & Strommen (DNR) to discuss past legislative sessions and how they're implementing historic investments in clean energy, clean water, & outdoor recreation. Tune in for highlights!

Legislative Debrief Event Recap As part of our new Tell Me More: Talks with Conservation Minnesota webinar series, we recently hosted three state commissioners (from Commerce, Pollution Control, and Natural Resources) to discuss the last two legislative sessions and how their agencies are working to implement historic investments....

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Nearly 12,000 acres restored to Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe; more could be on way The massive land transfer brings to an end a more than four decades long process by the tribe to get back land taken by the federal government.

The MPCA is planning new protections for the Mississippi River through a new draft permit to limit pollution from 3M’s facility in Cottage Grove. Certain “forever chemicals” (PFAS) must be removed to undetectable levels. All types of PFAS and other pollutants will be treated in wastewater and groundwater before discharging to the Mississippi.

We want to hear from you! Public meetings are scheduled for July 29, July 31, and August 20. Comments are accepted until August 30. Learn more: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/3Mpermit

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced $16 million in grants awarded to strengthen MN's community forests. 👏 🌳 🌲 👏

Urban and Community forestry We help communities and homeowners plan, plant, and care for trees and urban forest so that they remain strong and healthy. We do this by working with cities to incorporate the latest tree-care knowledge into their urban forest management approach.

"To hunt they need clear water. That's where climate change becomes a problem. Our more frequent and intense downpours wash things like fertilizers and sediment into the water making it murky and hard to hunt."

If you want to help, "stop using lawn fertilizers. Planting or keeping native shorelines provides healthy habitat and clearer lakes. Building nest rafts can help, too. You can also get involved: Community scientists help provide important information to save the birds we love."

Climate change could drive loons out of Minnesota and Wisconsin, scientist warns A scientist warns that the effects of climate change could ultimately drive Minnesota's state bird out of the state entirely.

Dive into our Summer 2024 Newsletter! 🌞

Curious about the latest conservation efforts in MN? Eager to explore inspiring stories of environmental stewardship? Don't miss out!

Summer 2024 Newsletter Our Community Stewards program, in partnership with AmeriCorps, brings Minnesotans together to learn about and solve conservation problems within their community. Today, we have offices in Duluth, Bemidji, Moorhead, Saint Cloud, Rochester, and Winona. Learn about the impact our Stewards are making o...

MN's Home Energy Rebates Program helps you reduce energy costs and improve your home's efficiency. Attend a forum or look online for program details, benefits, and how you can participate in this win-win opportunity!
https://bit.ly/3LCDN8C

Exciting news! Funding to tackle climate change, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice. Take a read to see what federal climate policy is doing for MN!

Electrification, refrigeration, and peatland restoration: some of the things Minnesota will invest in with new $200 million grant from EPA The Minnesota Climate-Smart Food Systems project will look at boosting biofuels, restoring peatlands, electrifying some farm vehicles, and efforts designed to prevent food waste.

July is Disability Pride Month in MN. Many outdoor recreation spaces are still inaccessible. Read on to discover what the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and volunteers are doing to improve things.

Disability Pride Month July is Disability Pride Month in Minnesota. The Minnesota DNR and nonprofits that help protect the Great Outdoors are working to make Minnesota's outdoor spaces accessible for all.

Last night we heard from the women who are leading some of MN's most important agencies about implementing new laws to help address climate change, prioritize renewable energy, and enhance our natural resources and Great Outdoors.

Listen in on our discussion with the Commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Commerce.

Tell Me More: Legislative Debrief with Commissioners Arnold, Kessler, & Strommen Hear from the women who are leading some of Minnesota’s most important agencies about implementing new laws to help address climate change, prioritize renewa...

We're partnering with AmeriCorps to hire more Community Stewards to start in August. We are looking to hire in Bemidji and St. Cloud. Join us!

Job Opportunity: Community Stewards Conservation Minnesota is partnering with Americorps to hire several Community Stewards to start in August. The Stewards will be hired and compensated by Ampact but managed and mentored by Conservation Minnesota's Public Engagement Director.

"In Minneapolis, less affluent neighborhoods run up to eight degrees hotter. In Rochester, it's a difference of nearly seven degrees. In St. Paul, the difference is closer to three degrees."

Study shows socioeconomics plays role in Minneapolis urban heat island disparities A new study finds some communities feel the summer heat more than others.

The costs of climate change...

EDITORIAL | The erosion of homeowners insurance Storms are getting worse. Property insurance companies can't keep up. Homeowners are paying the price.

A sad statistic: lead fishing tackle causes 25% of adult loon deaths. "What happens is a fish gets away with a lead lure either inside it or attached to its mouth, and that fish subsequently gets devoured by a loon. The birds have also been known to scoop up lead sinkers at the bottom of lakes. Once they’ve eaten some lead, death is slow and painful."

It's past time to get the lead out.

The Topline: Minnesota anglers are inadvertently killing off loons • Minnesota Reformer Welcome to The Topline, a weekly roundup of the big numbers driving the Minnesota news cycle, as well as the smaller ones that you might have missed. This week: Midwestern weather predictability; loon deaths from lead tackle; and puddles vs. lakes in Wisconsin. There’s a saying I’ve heard pretty...

Do you think all Minnesotans should have access to clean drinking water? We do.

Mississippi River farm Gulf runoff pollutes upstream waters Worsening effects on health in Minnesota and Wisconsin are spurring action on problems that also cause the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone.”

"Flooding is nothing new in Minnesota. But heavy rains are increasing with climate change."

Coping with more rain and storms in a warming climate With climate warming, when it rains it really pours. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the Minnesota commerce commissioner and the state climate director about why we’re seeing an increase in intense rain and violent storms and how we can prepare for and prevent...

"These grants will help protect Main Street businesses and neighborhoods in small communities across the state from the worst impacts of climate change.”

MPCA invests $500,000 to help small communities prepare for extreme weather and climate change - Albert Lea Tribune The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency today announced a $500,000 investment to help eight communities in Greater Minnesota better understand how to prepare their infrastructure for extreme weather caused by climate change. The grants, which range from $27.000 to $156,000, will support cities’ pla...

Join us for a special event July 15 with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Commerce & Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Hear what happened in the last 2 sessions and how these agencies are implementing new laws around conservation & climate.

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Tell Me More - Legislative Debrief with Commissioners Arnold, Kessler, and Strommen. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Join Conservation Minnesota and Commissioner Sarah Strommen of the Department of Natural Resources, Commissioner Katrina Kessler of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Commissioner Grace Arnold of the Commerce Department for an opportunity to learn more about what happened in the last two le...