Happening

News & Insights
Lebanon Hills
Cyclists gather at the bike trail opening
Cyclists convened for the grand opening of the new Sagamore Unit of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
by
Avery Hildebrand

Our Public Land & Outdoor Recreation Program Manager, Avery Hildebrand, considers how outdoor recreation can help communities economically while creating an identity and inspiring passion. He shares his experience in Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.

Kernza on Kimber Contours Farm near Northfield, MN
Kimber Contours Farm grows climate-positive Kernza® grain in Farmington, MN
by
Keely Cervantes
Olivia Rivera

Each season more farmers are facing challenges due to climate change. As extreme weather events like drought and hail storms become more common, it's critical that we find climate solutions in agriculture. Investing in our environment and research can pave the way for future generations of farmers in Minnesota. 

Wind turbines in a Minnesota field

President Biden has signed the biggest climate and clean energy bill our country has ever seen. After a year and a half of work to pass sweeping climate legislation, Senators Schumer and Manchin announced a surprise deal on the reconciliation package. The Senate passed the bill on August 7th, the House followed suit last Friday, and the President signed it into law today.

Group of people at the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities award ceremony
Conservation Minnesota was honored to receive the “Friend of the CGMC” award from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. Paul Austin and Nels Paulsen are on the right.
by
Paul Austin

Conservation Minnesota was honored to receive the “Friend of the CGMC” award from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) alongside our partners IUOE, Local 49, and LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota on Thursday, July 28th. Once again this legislative session, we worked with a diverse set of stakeholders, including our union allies and community leaders, to advocate for Greater Minnesota to work toward funding for water and wastewater infrastructure. 

Rows of hops at Stone Hill Farm
The hopyard at Stone Hill Farm near Stillwater
by
Keely Cervantes
Olivia Rivera

In Minnesota, breweries are at the heart of many communities. But as climate change continues to impact agriculture, local brewers and growers are starting to get concerned. Stone Hill Farm hop grower Jon Brach discusses the impact of extreme weather on his crops.

Saint Paul Capitol at sunset

Before adjourning in late May, state legislators could not agree on a capital investment bill or finalize several funding packages known as omnibus bills. This year, unfinished legislation meant leaving billions of dollars of federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding on the table. Without matching funds from the state legislature, Minnesota will lose out on many of these investments.

Clean-up crews walk through park
by
Avery Hildebrand

On June 14th, over 70 people braved the 105-degree heat index to help clean up the Mississippi River at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis. Conservation Minnesota, in partnership with United By Blue, Target, and Friends of the Mississippi River, spent two hours combing the river banks, neighborhoods, trails, and grassy fields for small plastics.

Wind turbines in a Minnesota field

Today's Supreme Court ruling in the case of West Virginia vs. Environmental Protection Agency undermines our collective expectation that we all deserve clean air to breathe, and that our leaders will do everything in their power to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

wind turbine in a field at sunset
by
Paul Austin

Solutions to address climate change are important and urgent. Every news cycle brings a new report warning of the consequences of inaction. But there is excellent news in Minnesota. We’ve come so far, and continued clean energy progress means a bright future for Minnesota.

wind turbine in a soybean field

The science on climate change is clear: we must electrify as much as we can while making sure the electricity running through our grid is clean and reliable. As Minnesota’s electrification speeds up, communities will see the economic and job benefits of our energy transition.