As winter approaches and the landscape of Minnesota transforms into a serene wonderland, it’s the perfect time to reflect on gratitude. Whether it’s for the quiet beauty of snow-covered pines, the shimmering ice on our 10,000 lakes, or the community spirit that binds us, winter offers an opportunity to pause and appreciate the natural spaces… Read More →
As Minnesotans prepare for Thanksgiving—a time to reflect on gratitude, gather with loved ones, and embrace the bounty of our state’s natural places. This year, let’s enrich our traditions with environmental stewardship, eating local, and celebrating the incredible natural places that make Minnesota home. Give Thanks to Minnesota’s Local Bounty Minnesota’s farmers and food producers… Read More →
In Minnesota, stewardship is a value and way of life. From our iconic North Shore to our beloved prairies and lakes, these natural treasures inspire us to care deeply for the places that define our state. On Give to the Max Day—November 21st, Minnesotans have a unique opportunity to come together to support the causes… Read More →
Caring for Minnesota doesn’t have to be overwhelming or require big, drastic changes. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to start is by reassessing how we commute every day. Small shifts in transportation habits can lead to significant improvements, benefiting both the state and its residents. The Impact of Daily Commutes For many,… Read More →
Written by Allison Jurek, Upstream Care for Place Fellow Connect with place, know place, care for place. A simple three-stepped mantra that can serve to inspire. In my previous story, I offered the practice of forest bathing as a way of living this mantra. I’ll be the first to agree that the term ‘forest bathing’… Read More →
How two Entrepreneurs are creating welcoming places for people and plants Confluence is a new story series by Upstream that shares stories of two or more Minnesotans whose values around their love and care for place align and how their individual practices manifest in their stewardship. Every year Upstream celebrates Minnesotans going above and beyond… Read More →
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather with loved ones and enjoy a memorable feast. By making a few mindful choices, you can celebrate this holiday in a way that cares for Minnesota’s natural spaces and reduces waste. Here are some simple tips to make your Thanksgiving a more sustainable celebration: Plan Your Feast with… Read More →
Written by Andy Goldman-Gray, Executive Director of Upstream Guess what? 49% of Minnesotans will be disappointed with the election result this November. But we will all wake up the next morning and still be Minnesotans. In an election year, it’s easy to forget that we have a lot in common – and one obvious commonality… Read More →
Written by Monica Rojas, 2024 Upstream Care for Place Fellow My family of origin were not ‘outdoorsy’ people. The joke growing up was that the closest my parents ever got to camping was a Holiday Inn Express. My mother had done the outdoors as a child growing up in the suburban wonderland of Bloomington, Minnesota.… Read More →
Going Upstream is about being stewards of Minnesota’s shared natural places. Upstream Partner The Toro Company recently worked with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to support a critical update to their irrigation system, conserving water as a key way to care for one of Minnesota’s most treasured outdoor space. Keeping the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s 1,200 acres… Read More →
Written by Monica Rojas, Upstream Care for Place Fellow As we pull into our campsite everyone knows what to do. The tent gets set-up. ZUP! The beds get unfurled. SWOOSH! The fire gets started. SIZZLE! The camp chairs get reconstructed. Click, Clang, OW! After years of camping, our family has a set routine when we… Read More →
Written by Anna Jensen One of the ways I love where I live is on two wheels! Biking has always been a natural and convenient way for me to get around, growing up and living in the Twin Cities. As a kid, my family and I biked through Minneapolis on summer weekends, heading to the… Read More →
