Featured stories
GreenCorps member Lauren Jensen
Did you know rain gardens help prevent rainwater runoff? That means less pollutants flowing directly into nearby streams and ponds. The latest #OurMN video features what Minnesota GreenCorps is doing in Winona County!
Dangerous Man Brewing reduces BPA exposure from receipts
This Minneapolis business replaced a paper receipt system with a paperless point-of-sale setup, preventing unnecessary exposure to a chemical that can have negative health effects.
23 Minnesota cities studied to ID climate-vulnerable populations and strategies to help
By 2100, summertime conditions for Brainerd are projected to be like those now felt over 300 miles or further to the south. That's the equivalent of moving the town 217 feet south every day. MPCA is working with other agencies to help communities build resiliency to climate change for all of their residents.
Fishy story attracts public TV coverage of citizen water monitors
Recognizing the importance of water quality in the thousands of lakes and miles of streams across the prairie landscape, Pioneer Public Television in western Minnesota films a segment on MPCA’s citizen water monitoring programs.
Rachel Pichelmann’s volunteer water monitoring sparked career in water resources
Rachel's 4-H project in high school led to a career in civil engineering with an environmental focus.
Protective, effective and efficient MPCA permitting
One of our most important jobs at the MPCA is to issue timely air, water and land permits that protect human health and the environment. Data collected for the past year shows that the agency continues to improve its permitting efficiency.
Giant Lego watershed helps teach water science
A group of volunteers built a 26,000-piece topographic model of the Whitewater River Watershed in southeast Minnesota.
Three generations, and counting
“It’s a whole family thing,” says Sheri Berg about being part of the state’s volunteer Citizen Lake Monitoring program for the past 30 years.
His ethic can inspire others
Concern about water quality led Ron Sprong to do water monitoring and help the Grindstone Lake Association obtain grants to fund research and develop a lake management plan.
Floods: Minimizing pollution and health risks
Parts of Minnesota have been hit with heavy rains — learn what you can do to protect businesses, homes and families from environmental problems caused by flooding.
GreenCorps member helps get her school Energy Star certified
River’s Edge Academy (St. Paul) is now Energy Star certified thanks to the work of Minnesota GreenCorps member Sophie Bishop.
Working on water quality in Willmar Chain of Lakes
It takes a lot of helping hands to work on the water quality issues in the Willmar Chain of Lakes — cloudy water and invasive curly leaf pondweed.
For the fish and for you
Can you fish it? As anglers restock their tackle boxes for the season, MPCA field staff get ready to look at lakes and streams to answer that question, among others.
Keep off the grass: Let it bee
Grass lawns are the nation’s largest irrigated “crop” by surface area. Fortunately, there are environmentally friendly alternatives like flowering lawns that can transform your yard into a bee haven.
Shining light on hidden infrastructure
To highlight the need to invest in wastewater infrastructure, MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine toured wastewater treatment plants across northern and north-central Minnesota.