Join us on April 22 for Navigating Upstream, a gathering and fundraiser focused on the future of Minnesota’s natural places. Your support helps power this work, bringing Minnesotans together, building community, and inspiring stewardship for Minnesota’s land, water, and air.
Do you live in a community where there is no curbside composting pickup? Some communities, such as Ramsey County, have compost drop-off sites. But if this isn’t an option for you either, consider starting a community composting program. This is especially helpful if you or your neighbors don’t have space for a backyard compost pile.
If you do not have access to curbside compost pick-up, check the map linked below to find composting sites near you. You can also often source composted soil from these locations which are great for your home garden!
Caretakers of Minnesota are those 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.
Upstream Survey Upstream seeks to inspire Minnesotans to care for our natural places through stories of how we use, value and care for them. We are conducting a survey of Minnesotans about our natural places and spaces, how we use them and how we care for them.
Jerry Johnston raises cows in Northern Minnesota along with his family. The Floodwood resident has a small dairy farm that’s operated by him and his family. He’s spent the better part of his life caring for cows. Whether at his grandparents or at his uncle’s, caring for them became second nature. His goal was to… Read More →
How a flood mitigation project almost 30 years in the making became an overnight success Lisa Johnson for Upstream Snow geese and the moon at the North Ottawa Impoundment, 2021-03-19 ©Sparky Stensaas/thephotonaturalist.com The first time naturalist Mark “Sparky” Stensaas traveled to the North Ottawa Impoundment he’d heard so much about on social media and eBird,… Read More →
Situated along the Mississippi River in the heart of the Twin Cities, St. Thomas University is inspiring the next generation of stewards. At St. Thomas, caring for our natural spaces starts with empowering students. “We’re catalyzing university-wide engagement so that we can prepare students to be leaders in sustainability, no matter what field or path… Read More →
At The Buttered Tin, you’ll find more than award winning pastries and a delicious brunch spread: care of place is central to their values and everyday practices. Founded in 2013 by James Beard-recognized pastry chef Alicia Hinze. The Buttered Tin creates a welcoming space to enjoy elevated American breakfast & lunch classics and sweet treats.… Read More →
Caring for our natural places is an important part of caring for the people who live near them. Research has shown there’s a connection between green spaces and health and wellness benefits. HealthPartners, which operates 90+ hospitals and clinics across Minnesota and Wisconsin, brings natural green spaces and sustainable landscaping practices together to improve the… Read More →
When Max Musicant and his group of neighbors left their apartment building when the fire alarm went off, he quickly realized something: he didn’t know anyone around him. As the founder and principal of The Musicant Group, placemaking and public space activation firm, he knew something had to change. After a quick trip to the… Read More →
“Food from here, for here” is the driving force behind The Good Acre (TGA), a nonprofit food hub that links local growers & food producers with communities in the Twin Cities. TGA is helping build a strong, healthy food system that celebrates and supports Minnesota’s incredible farmers. Their role as a food hub is uniquely… Read More →
For over a century, the Iron Range of Minnesota has been a center of mining activity—creating jobs and driving economic growth. And the Iron Range also has a unique and distinct natural personality. Tamarack bog, craggy ridges and beautiful expanses of pine forest distinguish this area as a gem for Minnesota’s outdoorspeople. Mining activity has… Read More →
