Happening

Happy Pride Month! Conservation Minnesota is proud to stand by our LGBTQIA+ staff, members, friends, family, and partners. It’s important to us that Minnesota is a welcoming place for all people no matter where you’re from or how you identify. Pride is a time to acknowledge our differences, celebrate self, and show the world that love brings people together.  

Conservation Minnesota designed Conservation Crew to encourage middle schoolers to think critically about our environment. Each Conservation Crew—made up of five to 25 student and supported by a teacher or school staff—selects their focus and service project. Our Youth Program Coordinator reports on the first year of Conservation Crew.

On May 23, the Minnesota Legislature adjourned, ending the 2022 Regular Session. The divided Legislature was unable to reach agreements on most major legislation before its deadline. Read our summary of what passed and where negotiations ended.

The agriculture industry in Minnesota has a large impact on the health of our environment and economy, and we believe a strong omnibus with provisions that protect and strengthen our waters, lands, and communities would be a vital use of our historic budget surplus. Conservation Minnesota submitted the following letter in support of HF4366, the Omnibus for Agriculture, Housing, and Broadband.

What happens in St. Paul and Washington DC matters, it’s important to remember that much of the work that protects the Minnesota we love is happening at the local level in communities across the state. Conservation Minnesota is the only organization currently hosting gatherings of environment commission members from across the state.

Minnesota small towns and urban areas alike are at risk for having lead-contaminated drinking water. Bipartisan bills to pay for lead service line replacement have been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature, and federal grants could be made available to Minnesota communities, but state legislators need to get bills across the finish line before the session ends on May 23rd.

In 2019, Conservation Minnesota played a crucial role, alongside our national partners, in helping to permanently reauthorize the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). On May 6th Secretary Haaland visited St. Paul’s Midway Peace Park to announce that $61 million of ORLP grants will be distributed this year to 26 metro areas across the country with three Minnesota parks slated to receive $9 million each. 

The perfectly manicured, clean-cut lawn has been a symbol of the American Dream since the 1800s. But a new trend from across the pond might change that. The No Mow May campaign allows homeowners to rethink yard maintenance while helping the environment. 

As Minnesotans, we pride ourselves on taking care of our communities and being at the forefront of public health. But we have overlooked a critical issue: safe drinking water. Minnesota has the tenth-highest number of lead pipes of all states.

This week, legislators return from their mid-session break to begin negotiating final omnibus bills and a bonding bill. Here’s an update on where the Legislature stands at half-time.