In every corner of Minnesota, people are caring for the land and their communities, people whose everyday acts of stewardship ripple outward, inspiring connection, care, and hope. We’re thrilled to celebrate two such remarkable Minnesotans: Laura Adrian and Deb Griffith, both of whom embody what it means to care deeply for our natural places and one another.

Laura Adrian: Slowing Down, Tuning In, and Finding Connection

For Laura Adrian, stewardship begins with awareness, with pausing long enough to notice the subtle beauty of a shifting breeze, the rhythm of bird calls, or the soft grounding of moss underfoot. Over the past year, Laura has led free guided meditations in nature across Minnesota, inviting hundreds of people into wild spaces to connect, breathe, and simply be.

Her meditations have taken place at beloved spots like Tamarack Nature Center, Lebanon Hills Nature Center, the Superior Hiking Trail, and Richardson Nature Center, places that hold deep meaning for so many Minnesotans. Through her practice, Laura creates an accessible bridge between mindfulness and environmental stewardship, helping participants go beyond the surface and into a deeper relationship with the land.

These sessions are about more than relaxation; they’re about rekindling gratitude. By encouraging people to slow down and feel gratitude for the natural world, Laura helps spark a renewed sense of wonder and responsibility. Her grounded, heart-forward leadership demonstrates how personal connection can lead to collective action. As more people experience the restorative power of Minnesota’s landscapes, they’re inspired to give back and care for them.

Deb Griffith: Leading Sustainability in South St. Paul

Our second Unsung Caretaker, Deb Griffith, has turned care into community action. As the Community Affairs Liaison for the City of South St. Paul, Deb has been a driving force behind local sustainability efforts for nearly a decade.

In 2016, Deb championed South St. Paul’s decision to join Minnesota GreenStep Cities, a program that helps communities achieve measurable sustainability goals. Thanks to her advocacy and leadership, the city has now reached Step 5, the highest level possible, completing 41 best practice actions along the way.

But Deb’s impact doesn’t stop there. She helped launch the South St. Paul Sustainability Task Force, a citizen-led group that reviews city sustainability actions, organizes volunteer efforts like the annual Mississippi River Clean Up, and hosts the beloved Earth Day Environmental Expo. Through her creativity and collaboration, she’s woven environmental awareness into everyday community life, from adding pollinator tips and waste reduction guides to the city newsletter, to ensuring residents have hands-on opportunities to care for local ecosystems.

Deb’s approach is practical, hopeful, and deeply human, reminding us that caring for our land, water and air isn’t separate from community life; it’s part of it.

Both Laura and Deb remind us that stewardship takes many forms, whether it’s through moments of connection in the woods or public initiatives that make sustainability part of city life. Together, they reflect the best of Minnesota: care for our place, care for each other, and an enduring hope for what’s possible when we act with love and purpose.

If their stories inspire you, join the movement. Take the Upstream Pledge today or donate to support more local caretakers who are helping Minnesota thrive.