Environmental Initiative

It was fantastic to see Sustainable Growth Coalition (SGC) members, Environmental Initiative staff and board, and Environmental Initiative Award winners together at the newly renovated Minneapolis American Indian Center (MAIC) earlier this week for the SGC summer gathering. Attendees had the opportunity to network, enjoy lunch from the Gatherings Cafe, and hear from Mary LaGarde, executive director of MAIC and 2024 Critical Collaborator Award winner. This gathering was a celebration of bringing people together, a core part of Environmental Initiative's identity. Thank you to everyone that joined us, we hope to see you all again soon!

Environmental Initiative extends our congratulations to Stephanie Hatzenbihler, co-chair of the Source Water Protection Collaborative, for winning the Deborah L. Swackhamer Early Career Award! The Minnesota Water Resources Conference uses this award to recognize future leaders in the understanding, management, and care of our water resources. Stephanie was instrumental in bringing our creative engagement project to life. Read more about her on the University of Minnesota's website: https://ow.ly/Ni2550SJkMI

We're building upon two years of successful collaboration with Trust In Food™ where we analyzed the values, interests, and barriers to conservation agriculture practice adoption of more than 55,000 row crop farmers in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.  We designed an engagement strategy rooted in these producers’ insights and tested a range of values-based messages and creative visuals over several months. The engagement strategy was effective, increasing interest in conservation practices three-to-five times over benchmark rates. Explore the online resource or reach out to Deborah Carter McCoy if you are interested in a 90-minute or half-day workshop. https://lnkd.in/dFFdr_aE

The renovation of the Minneapolis American Indian Center, led by Executive Director and Critical Collaborator Award winner Mary Lagarde, included a bigger space and kitchen for the Gatherings Cafe. We are excited to watch the team help reintroduce Indigenous recipes and food practices to the community. https://ow.ly/5baa50SGg4J

We’re excited to announce the next phase of our groundbreaking project to accelerate the adoption of conservation agriculture practices in partnership with Trust In Food™. By understanding the unique hurdles, motivations, and values of farmers, we aim to support organizations in significantly increasing the uptake of regenerative practices. https://lnkd.in/eRjkdS9c

Another good news story! 🎉 We assisted Parkway Lawn Service with City of Minneapolis Green Cost Share Program and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency grant applications to electrify mowers, weed whips, and leaf blowers. Greg Kroth from Parkway Lawn Service and City of Minneapolis staff Jennifer Lansing and Bjorn Olson were interviewed by WCCO | CBS News Minnesota yesterday about the project: https://lnkd.in/dgjBzxKW

🚗 We’re shifting into peak driving season, which means increased traffic and higher emissions. Roughly 25% of passenger vehicles cause 90% of vehicle air pollution. That’s why #ProjectCAR has teamed up with Turbo Tim's Anything Automotive, Newgate Automotive Training School, The Lift Garage, Nghia's Auto Service, and Cars for Neighbors at their garage locations around the Twin Cities to cover the cost of emissions repairs for qualifying Minnesotans. So far, we’ve fixed nearly 600 cars and eliminated 32 tons of emissions – and we're not hitting the brakes anytime soon! We’re seeking new partner garages, funders and advocates who also believe you can’t put a price on clean air. 🌬✨

This July, Clean River Partners is hosting a tour of three farms in the Cannon River Watershed. Join farmers, industry representatives, and elected officials on a free bus tour to learn about profitable conservation practices from experienced farmers. You'll gain insight into the Carbon Intensity Score, carbon credit programs, and market opportunities. Morning snacks and lunch are included! Event Details: 📅 July 31, 2024 🕑 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 📍 Twin Oaks Farm, 8391 Hall Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057 Register online: https://ow.ly/ftVq50SxUan

One of our sweet spots is connecting businesses to resources to reduce air pollution and helping them with state and local grant applications. Parkway Lawn Service in Minneapolis recently replaced multiple gas-powered mowers and other lawn equipment with electric models thanks to grants from the City of Minneapolis and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The project will reduce more than 2,400 pounds of fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compound emissions annually. A true team effort for cleaner air! 🌟 https://lnkd.in/ghSpMDw6   Pictured: Greg Kroth, owner of Parkway Lawn Service (left) and Dwyane Waltower, Athletics Director, Hiawatha Academies (right) stand with one of the new electric mowers at Hiawatha Collegiate High School in Minneapolis. 

The prediction for 50-70 years from now is for grasslands and oak savannas to replace most of the northern forests in Minnesota due to climate change. The University of Minnesota Duluth, The Nature Conservancy, University of Minnesota Extension and the Farm and Forest Growers Cooperative are working together to re-establish a resilient northern forest. This project was the 2024 Environmental Initiative Award winner for environmental innovation. Watch their story: