Every corner of Minnesota from winding shorelines to tucked‑away patches of prairie thrives because of unsung caretakers. They are neighbors, volunteers, stewards, and community groups who dedicate time, energy, and heart to preserving the natural beauty we share. At Upstream, we’re shining a light on them with our Unsung Caretakers Awards — and we need your help to recognize these efforts.
Who Are Unsung Caretakers?
Unsung Caretakers are Minnesotans—individuals, organizations, and community groups, whose work to care for, restore, and maintain natural places often goes unnoticed. It might be a neighbor cleaning up a neglected section of creek, a community group planting pollinator gardens, or a local nonprofit restoring urban woodland. Their collective impact may be small in scale, but is huge in heart, helping make Minnesota cleaner, healthier, more vibrant.
We’re celebrating three nomination categories:
- Individuals — passionate people working solo or with informal teams
- Organizations — nonprofits or established groups with mission-driven caretaking
- Community groups or neighborhood associations — volunteer-driven local action
Up to 10 individuals, 3 organizations, and 1 community group will be selected for recognition this year.
What Winners Receive
- $250 per winner, to apply toward the nominee’s ongoing volunteer environmental stewardship work
- Public recognition at an Upstream Celebration in October —making their impact visible to the broader community
- The honor of being named one of Minnesota’s Unsung Caretakers, encouraging others to follow their lead Upstream
These awards are designed to uplift dedicated grassroots stewards, offering both tangible support and public visibility. It’s our way of saying: “We see you. Thank you.”
Why Your Nomination Matters
Many caretakers work niches of Minnesota’s ecosystem that fall outside the spotlight. Your nomination can elevate their endurance, passion, and impact. Recognizing local efforts brings:
- Encouragement – Bringing volunteers together and fostering motivation
- Awareness – Shining a light means more people learn and get involved
- Connection – Bringing together caretakers across communities ignites bigger impact
How to Nominate
Nomination is easy—and open to everyone:
- Decide who you want to nominate: an individual, group, or organization making a difference in MN
- Fill out the form on mnupstream.org’s “Unsung Caretaker” page Upstream
- Provide nominee’s name, hometown, email, and phone
- Detail what place(s) they care for, their efforts, and why they deserve recognition
- Then share your info (name, hometown, contact)
- Submit and share the form!
Inspire Minnesota, One Nomination at a Time
Unsung Caretakers embody what it truly means to care for Minnesota. By nominating one, you’re giving a deserving steward a chance to grow, connect, and inspire others. Whether it’s a solitary creek cleanup, public garden restoration, or a community-led habitat project, every act matters.
👉 Visit MNUpstream.org/unsung‑caretaker today to learn more and submit your nomination. Help bring vital grassroots work into the light—and thank a local caretaker who’s building a stronger Minnesota, one volunteer hour at a time.