• Loving where we live. English Jeclaanta halka aad ku nooshahay. Afsoomaali Hlub qhov chaw koj nyob. Hmong Amando donde vivimos. Español

  • Loving where we live. English Jeclaanta halka aad ku nooshahay. Afsoomaali Hlub qhov chaw koj nyob. Hmong Amando donde vivimos. Español

  • Loving where we live. English Jeclaanta halka aad ku nooshahay. Afsoomaali Hlub qhov chaw koj nyob. Hmong Amando donde vivimos. Español

  • Loving where we live. English Jeclaanta halka aad ku nooshahay. Afsoomaali Hlub qhov chaw koj nyob. Hmong Amando donde vivimos. Español

  • Loving where we live. English Jeclaanta halka aad ku nooshahay. Afsoomaali Hlub qhov chaw koj nyob. Hmong Amando donde vivimos. Español

  • Loving where we live. English Jeclaanta halka aad ku nooshahay. Afsoomaali Hlub qhov chaw koj nyob. Hmong Amando donde vivimos. Español

Celebrate Stewardship, Community, and Minnesota

Join the Upstream community for an evening of connection and inspiration. Together, we’ll hear powerful stories of environmental stewardship from fellow Minnesotans, everyday acts of care that make a lasting difference in the places we love. We have two amazing nights of celebration!

Unsung Caretakers Twin Cities
Unsung Caretakers West Central

Nominate an Unsung Caretaker!

Caretakers of Minnesota are those individuals, organizations, or communities taking action, big or small, to care for the natural places we all share. Their efforts help Minnesota thrive, and they deserve to be seen and celebrated.

Nominate an Unsung Caretaker

 

Caring for Minnesota’s Natural Places—Together

Upstream is a non-partisan Minnesota-based nonprofit channeling our shared love of Minnesota’s natural places into greater trust, connection and stewardship.

At Upstream, we channel our shared love of Minnesota’s lakes, forests, and outdoor spaces into meaningful action. We bring Minnesotans together—across political, racial, geographic, and cultural differences—to build trust, strengthen communities, and care for the places we all call home.

When you give to Upstream, you are:

  • Inspiring people to take new actions to be better stewards of our natural places
  • Building trust among people across racial, political, and geographic differences
  • Ensuring that in Minnesota, the outdoors are for everyone

Make an impact in Minnesota today. Your support helps grow a more connected and caring future.

Give Now!

Tell us how you go upstream

We share more in common than many would lead us to believe. At Upstream we are cultivating the shared value that 87% of Minnesotans hold — we trust each other to care for our shared natural places and leave them better for future generations. We share stories of stewardship written by and about Minnesotans like you!

Share Your Story

Building Bridges Across Difference

Backyard Conversations allow people of different backgrounds to come together to find commonality in our love and care for Minnesota’s natural places.

Together, we will:

• Meet Minnesotans from different backgrounds
• Share a delicious meal together
• Have a conversation about what Minnesota means to us, and how we care for it

Inquire Today

Ways to Care

GET INSPIRED

More than 80% of Minnesotans say they want to do more. Find Your Next is a tool where Minnesotans can exchange ideas about ways to be better stewards of our places. You can share what you do to inspire others, and find examples from other Minnesotans to inspire you.

  • A row of multicolored recycling bins against a gray wall.

    Choose Recycling

    If your workplace doesn’t have easily accessible recycling bins, it can be hard to prioritize recycling. Try setting up a bin in a convenient location…

    Choose Recycling
  • A female hiker with dark hair stands amidst out-of-focus trees, looking away from the camera and wearing a backpack.

    Find a Hike

    AllTrails is a great resource to find hikes near you, whether you’re at home in Minnesota or traveling around the country—or even the world. Plus…

    Find a Hike
  • Small baskets of red and yellow cherry tomatoes arranged on a table at a farmers' market.

    Check Out the Farmers’ Market

    There are tons of local farmers’ markets in the Twin Cities and beyond. Farmers’ markets are a fun activity, a great source of local produce…

    Check Out the Farmers’ Market