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.
Minnesota’s landscapes are alive with the hum of bees, the flutter of butterflies, and the silent work of countless other pollinators. These small but mighty creatures are essential to our natural places, ensuring the reproduction of flowering plants, supporting healthy ecosystems, and helping to produce much of the food we eat. Yet, pollinators are facing… Read More →
As the snow melts and the first buds of spring emerge, Minnesota comes alive with new energy. It’s a season of renewal—not just for the land, but for our communities. Spring offers a powerful reminder that we are all stewards of this place we call home. Through small, intentional acts, we can nurture our natural… Read More →
Written by Monica Rojas and Allison Jurek, Upstream Care for Place Fellows As Upstream Care for Place Fellows, we have been able to stop and reflect about our loves of Minnesota’s natural spaces. In this final reflection, we have compiled a collection of activities you can do with little fuss or cost. We hope they… Read More →
The holiday season is a time of gathering, joy, and indulgence. Yet, it’s also an opportunity to embrace sustainable practices that celebrate Minnesota’s natural bounty, foster stewardship, and reduce our impact on natural places. By focusing on locally sourced foods, eco-friendly decor, mindful purchasing, and thoughtful travel, you can create a festive holiday experience that… Read More →
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, share gratitude, and enjoy delicious meals. Yet, the holiday often comes with an unintended consequence: food waste. In Minnesota alone, food waste accounts for a significant portion of what ends up in landfills, contributing to challenges like greenhouse gas emissions and wasted resources. This Thanksgiving, let’s… 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 →
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 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 →
As the fall season sweeps across Minnesota, it brings with it a bounty of fresh, local produce. From crisp apples to hearty root vegetables, the fall harvest is a celebration of the state’s rich agricultural tradition. But beyond simply enjoying this seasonal abundance, there’s an opportunity to practice sustainable cooking that not only delights the… Read More →
Eating seasonally is a fantastic way to support local farmers and enjoy the freshest, most flavorful produce Minnesota has to offer. Here’s a guide to the state’s best fall crops and how you can incorporate them into your meals while practicing sustainability: What’s in Season: Apples: From Honeycrisp to Haralson, Minnesota’s apples are a fall… Read More →
Written by Dr. Eric Ruhland, Upstream Unsung Caretaker 2024 Dr. Eric Ruhland has been a scientist, avid outdoorsman, and conservation steward for as long as he can remember. Dr. Eric grew up in a large family on a small dairy farm in Western Minnesota. The son of a conservation-minded dairy farmer, whose farming practices used… Read More →
Beverly was nominated as an Upstream Unsung Caretaker for the work she does to coordinate local purchasing efforts in Willmar, working to ensure that individuals purchasing food in her community can do so with local farmers using sustainable practices. Written by Beverly Dougherty, Upstream Unsung Caretaker 2024 I have been working in local food promotion… Read More →
