Happening

News & Insights
Lebanon Hills
Adult teaches group of kids how to fish
From one of many Steward events, teaching people about foraging and fishing in Moorhead

For the past three years, Conservation Minnesota hosted AmeriCorps members—we call them our Community Stewards—throughout the state. Their work has had a powerful and far-reaching impact. Unfortunately, due to changes in federal priorities, this program will end in July.

Blazing Star Award Conservation Minnesota
by
Avery Hildebrand

Each year, Conservation Minnesota presents local governments with the Blazing Star Award, which celebrates Minnesota communities that have led projects that feature innovation, create a sense of belonging, leverage unique partnerships, and have deep beneficial environmental impacts. Learn about the 2025 winners!

Students preparing a garden.
Crew students preparing a garden bed

Earth Day has come and gone, but Conservation Crew chapters across the state are still leading projects to protect the environment. From reducing waste in their schools to restoring native habitats and raising awareness in their communities, these young changemakers are showing what it means to take action for our environment. Learn more about what they've been up to!

Volunteers show off bags of litter they've removed
Volunteers picked up trash during a Litter Bit Better event
by
Katie Inman

As the days grow longer and the flowers begin to bloom, we'll be spending time outside to garden, pick up trash and enjoy outdoor recreation. Learn about exciting events and memorable moments from winter in Rochester, and preview our plans for spring. We hope you'll get involved!

Blazing star flowers in a garden
Blazing Stars in a pollinator garden
by
Avery Hildebrand

The Blazing Star Award celebrates the environmental and conservation actions of local governments across Minnesota. Is your local government doing something worthy of Blazing Star Award recognition? We are now accepting applications!

Stream flows through Lester Park in Duluth in winter
Lester Park in Duluth | photo: Avery Hildebrand
by
Paul Dolan Linne

Learn about recent community events with our Stewards in Duluth and what's coming up next!

group in park with the litter they've cleaned up
Community Steward Cassidy and volunteers after their Wilson Park litter pick-up

The role of our Community Stewards is to build relationships within the community, facilitate service projects, promote learning, and spark conversations about their area's most important conservation issues. Our Saint Cloud Stewards share highlights from the fall season.

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.

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

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

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.