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Lebanon Hills
Bemidji Steward leads an event at waters edge
Bemidji Steward, Ashley, leads an aquatic invertebrates event in the summer
by
Ashley Harris

Our Bemidji Community Steward, Ashley, shares highlights from past and future events in the area.

Kid at Lake Itasca, headwaters of the Mississippi River
At Itasca State Park, where the Mississippi River headwaters watershed begins—a quarter of Minnesota's drinking water orginates in the area. The other 75% comes from groundwater throughout the state.

In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, one would think that every Minnesotan would have access to clean water for drinking and recreation—but that's not always the case. We’re setting goals and working to deliver the future every Minnesotan deserves. We hope you’ll join us in advancing this work to guarantee clean water for everyone who calls our state home.

Volunteers building a composting system at The Village Agricultural Cooperative in Rochester
Building a composting system at The Village Agricultural Cooperative in Rochester

In our first conservation newsletter specific to Rochester, learn about some of the events that are making a difference in the area!

Ready to read book All We Can Save

Enjoy this selection of books from Conservation Minnesota’s book club! Staff take turns choosing books that are relevant to our work, foster thoughtful discussion, and help us broaden our perspectives on climate change, environmental justice, and how we relate to the natural world and each other.

Environment Commissions walking tour May 2024
Our 8th Environment Commissions Conference gathered online this fall—last spring many joined us in-person for our Environment Commissions Walking Tour.

Throughout Minnesota, there are hundreds of environment, sustainability, energy, natural resource, and parks & recreation commissions, but only one conference that connects these volunteer commissioners to network and learn from experts and each other. Since 2017 Conservation Minnesota has been co-hosting the Environment Commissions Conference.

Elk herd

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time for us to reflect on the historic and continued contributions of Native Americans across the country. In a local example, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has been working to bring elk back to northeast Minnesota.

sunset over a lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Since 1988 the state’s lottery proceeds have provided over $1 billion in stable, long-term funding for innovative projects to help protect our Great Outdoors without spending any tax dollars. This November, the opportunity to renew lottery funding will be on every ballot in Minnesota. Over 50% of voters must vote YES to ensure this critical funding source continues flowing to the Great Outdoors for the next 25 years.

Butterfly at the edge of the Mississippi River in Hastings
Mississippi River in Hastings, downstream from Cottage Grove

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!

Tell me more talks with conservation minnesota
Tell Me More guests: Sarah Strommen (DNR), Grace Arnold (Commerce), and Katrina Kessler (MPCA)
by
Avery Hildebrand

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 in clean energy, clean water, and outdoor recreation.

In Moorhead a group who cleared buckthorn
Removing invasive buckthorn at M.B. Johnson Park in Moorhead with Steward Ryan

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 on local communities.