Happening

News & Insights
Lebanon Hills
cows standing in muddy field
by
Keely Cervantes

Food & Agriculture Program Manager, Keely is working on the emerging issue of PFAS in biosolids applied on agricultural lands, and the resulting contamination in crops, soil, surface and groundwater. 

Krueger Family at the Christmas Tree Farm
The Krueger Family at Kruegers Christmas Tree Farm
by
Olivia Rivera

Krueger’s Christmas Tree Farm has been a part of Minnesotans' holiday season for over six decades. Third-generation tree farmer John Krueger is now in charge of daily operations, and keeping the legacy—and the magic—of their farm thriving. 

Sunset over a farm field
by
Keely Cervantes

Conservation Minnesota has begun a new phase in how we connect with issues and people around the state. I’ve recently changed roles from working in the east metro area to becoming the organization’s Food & Agriculture Program Manager. I recently hosted an online conversation with Conservation Minnesota members to discuss how climate is impacting agriculture and how we can create a vision for action and climate-resilient solutions across Minnesota’s agriculture industry and economy.

Migrating Waterfowl
by
Avery Hildebrand

In a question of public land and private property, Minnesota’s Land Exchange Board recently defended a Lac qui Parle property owner’s right to sell their land to the DNR. 

Kid places carrot nose on snowman
by
Paul Austin

On my first day 17 years ago, I had never worked for a conservation group. I was newly married, planning a family, and wanted to make sure the children I hoped for had the opportunity to experience the joy of the Great Outdoors that meant so much to me growing up.

But recent droughts, storms, and wildfires have made it clear that we have a lot more work left to restore our climate, lakes, and communities. Four in 10 young people are hesitant to have children, fearing climate change impacts on their lives. We must not allow fear and diminished opportunities to be our legacy.

Micah Rivera near solar panels
Micah Rivera, clean energy student
by
Olivia Rivera

Micah Rivera, a local technical student from Apple Valley, is excited about his clean energy career path. “Solar is one of the fastest-growing fields to be in right now.”

Anthony Fair and Simon Eddy
Solar energy workers Anthony Fair and Simon Eddy
by
Olivia Rivera

In rural Backus, Minnesota, Simon Eddy and Anthony Fair work for REAL Solar, bringing home-grown energy to households and businesses. Eddy as a Sales & Project Management Specialist and Fair as an Install Tech & Site Supervisor. Both enjoy the work and its impact.

Dog at Battle Creek Park
Lichen goes for a walk at Battle Creek Park
by
John Anderson

Working with local governments is one way we make progress on our most important conservation issues. That’s why we helped organize a meeting of city environment commissions dedicated to how their work can help protect the land, air, and water that is so important to us.

St. Cloud Pediatrician Dr. Kulus
St. Cloud pediatrician Dr. Kulus
by
Olivia Rivera

As a pediatrician in St. Cloud, Minnesota for over 25 years, Dr. Kathleen Kulus has seen the state’s changing climate impact her patients and she’s speaking up about it. “I need to be advocating for these children and the impact it's having on them because they don't always have a voice.”

Farmer couple with their dog on by their barn
Anne and Peter Schwagerl on their family farm in Browns Valley
by
Olivia Rivera

As stewards of our land, Minnesota farmers understand climate impacts and the need to adapt growing practices to weather the changes. Anne Schwagerl and her husband Peter operate Prairie Point Farm in western Minnesota’s Browns Valley where they're experminenting with a new "climate friendly" Kernza® grain.