Connexus Energy is Minnesota’s largest member-owned energy cooperative, providing power to the more than 330,000 people that live and work in portions of Anoka, Ramsey, Hennepin, Sherburne, Mille Lacs, Washington, Isanti and Chisago counties. Connexus goes Upstream by providing members with programs to help members conserve energy, including peak time programs, energy efficiency rebates and…  Read More →

When it comes to loving and caring for our natural places, habits learned early carry through life.  That’s especially true for Sam Hesla, a 30 year old Wilderness Inquiry volunteer from Minneapolis.   When Sam, born with Down syndrome, was six months old, he took his first camping trip with his parents.  And when he…  Read More →

Do you love where you live? Are you an artist, a maker, a creative, or a culture bearer with a story to tell about your place? Are you always trying to get people to move to your town? Upstream Initiative announces an open call for the A Care for Place campaign! Supported by Springboard for…  Read More →

Compeer Financial, with a large Minnesota workforce, helps farmers, ranchers and growers with financial services and products across the midwest.  They help farmers, large and small,  achieve their goals through lending programs.  They care for our places by helping farmers to make the transition to sustainable agriculture. Compeer works with traditional agriculture, but also serves…  Read More →

Ecolab has been partnering with The Nature Conservancy and Great River Greening for many years. In 2013 they kicked off an annual, family friendly volunteer event planting trees and pollinator friendly species at various treasured locations around the Twin Cities area, including Victoria Park in St. Paul, Hidden Falls, a popular summer spot for families,…  Read More →

Mary Flood-Maneely loves walking along the Mississippi, around the lakes of the Twin Cities and being outside any time she can.  “I find my outdoors time restores me and allows me to reset.”  Minnesota’s natural places are important to Mary.  Whether camping at one of Minnesota’s many state parks, or on her paddleboard on Lake of the…  Read More →

Better businesses lead to a better community, and no one knows that better than the Minneapolis Regional Chamber. Their initiatives work not just to help Minneapolis businesses do better, but to engage both businesses and the larger community in caring for the place of Minnesota. Through their programs, they create, invest in, and protect the…  Read More →

As the first energy company in the nation to commit to 100% carbon free power by 2050, Xcel Energy understands what it means to care for the place we call home. From infrastructure improvements and expanding wind and solar to electric vehicle programs, Xcel Energy works to improve the ways we generate and use energy.…  Read More →

The Loppet Foundation, which connects people through a variety of outdoor programs, knows the importance of celebrating the place of Minnesota. They operate out of Theodore Wirth Park, and proudly welcome the responsibility of being stewards of that land. As the largest park in Minneapolis, Wirth Park offers plenty of beautiful natural resources for residents…  Read More →

Upstream partner Fairview Health Services is committed to driving a healthier future in partnership with our community. This commitment means looking beyond the walls of clinics and hospitals and meeting people where they work, live, learn, play, and worship, including in our shared natural spaces. Fairview is one of Minnesota’s largest employers with 30,000 team…  Read More →

India Association of Minnesota (IAM) loves and respects the land and beauty of Minnesota. “Minnesota is the best place to live in the United States,” says board member Suyash Jains  “you don’t have to make people love Minnesota; it’s loved by default.”  Representing Indian people in Minnesota that hail from all 29 Indian states, there’s…  Read More →

Upstream partner Minnesota Twins play their home games at Target Field recently named the Greenest Ballpark in America! Water management, energy reduction, best in the league recycling and composting are all ways the Twins care for Minnesota. They were proudly awarded the 2021 MLB Green Glove Award for their near-100% waste diversion rate. “The team…  Read More →