Community Work News

Middle school students gardening
Conservation Crew members choose projects that help their school or community

News from the Crew is the newsletter for our youth program, Conservation Crew. Learn what the Crews are up to, in the spring of the program's second year.

Visitors walk along the edge of Lake Superior
Visitors flock to Artists Point in Grand Marais on Lake Superior
by
Avery Hildebrand

This legislative session, Minnesota has an opportunity to establish an office of outdoor recreation, which would inspire interest in the environment and bolster our sizeable outdoor recreation economy. Eighteen other states have already established outdoor recreation offices. Here's why we should join them.

Students enjoy time together while working on projects
Conservation Crew members choose projects that help their school or community

News from the Crew is newsletter for our youth program, Conservation Crew. Here's what the Crews are up to, midway through the program's second year.

Bee on Blazing Star blooms
Blazing stars are pollinator-friendly native prairie plants
by
Liz Deering

This month, Eden Prairie, Dakota County, and St. Cloud will receive Blazing Star Awards from Conservation Minnesota. The award acknowledges exceptional local government projects that advance conservation, climate, or the environment.

Middle school students gardening
Conservation Crew members tend to a campus garden

As we enter the dormant winter months, we think back to sunny days in the garden and reflect on new growth in our youth program. Conservation Crew is a student-led extracurricular program for middle schoolers that develops leadership skills through conservation projects in schools and communities. We’re excited to share more about our program and its early successes. 

Blazing star flowers in a garden
Hardy perennial Blazing Star thrives in a local prairie garden
by
John Anderson

We launched the Blazing Star Award to recognize local governments that engage in exciting new projects that advance conservation, climate, or the environment. We announce the inaugural year recipients!