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Heavy plume of white smoke rises from pine covered mountains in distance

Wildfire smoke and air quality

The frequent wildfires in California and elsewhere, brought on by climate change, are affecting air quality for thousands of miles. That includes Minnesota.
Carrot peelings, onion peels, broken egg shells, and other food waste.

Preventing waste in food-service kitchens

Commercial kitchens can generate significant food waste, but two Minnesota organizations are trimming the fat and saving money.
 
A yellow excavaor breaks up and removes a small concrete dam in a small stream

Going natural for water quality

Removing of an old dam and restoring a creek's curves are improving habitat and water quality in the Pomme de Terre River Watershed.
A small river winds through woods, four Canada geese stand in the shallows along the flat river bank.

How climate change affects Minnesota’s rivers

Increased rainfall from climate change damages river water quality, which in turn damages fishing and recreation.
A skyway across a river in a city.

We Are Water MN exhibit moves to Rochester

Rochester welcomes We Are Water MN to the Rochester Art Center through May 9, 2021. The exhibit explores the nearly 1 million acre Zumbro River watershed in southeast Minnesota.
Best management practices on a construction site protect a stream bank from erosion along the route of the Southwest Green Line Light Rail Transit Extension

Southwest Light Rail Extension goes above and beyond

Above and beyond. In the management of construction stormwater, MPCA recognizes Southwest Light Rail Extension project for responsible development through stormwater controls.
Grid of people's faces

Applicants wanted: Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers program

The IDEC program seeks to create pathways to environmental careers for underrepresented students, racial or ethnic minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities.
A smiling boy sitting in a boat on a lake holding up a string of walleye

Weigh in on the work plan: Water quality standards changes/additions?

Help the MPCA set the priorities for work on water quality standards that protect waters for drinking, fishing, and swimming.
Man wearing winter clothes and sunglasses stands in front of large lake with a wide streak of bright green algae that runs to the horizon.

A mystery in Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods is a big lake with a big problem caused by one of nature’s smallest organisms, algae. Scientists from the MPCA and the Science Museum are working together to understand why.
Air quality alert graphic

Air quality alert: Friday, Feb 19 through Sunday, Feb 21

Alert issued for east central and southeast Minnesota includes the Twin Cities metro, St. Cloud, Rochester, Albert Lea, Winona, and the tribal nation of Prairie Island.
A man in a blue green plaid shirt stands in a corn field holding two ears of corn out and talking to someone out of frame.

Governor sets million-acre goal for certified farms to reduce nutrients

Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality certified farms have added more than 2,000 new conservation practices, including over 110,000 acres of new cover crops that protect Minnesota’s waters.
A group of children standing outside, looking at the camera.

New report available: The air we breathe

Minnesota’s air quality is generally good, meeting all federal standards. However, it is not the same in all parts of the state and doesn’t affect all Minnesotans equally.
Plate to Garden is a host site for Minnesota GreenCorps

Apply to be a host site for MN GreenCorps

MPCA seeks organizations interested in becoming host sites for the 2021-2022 year. Do you have a project idea for a motivated and capable Minnesota GreenCorps member to take on?
boy drinking glass of water

MPCA, state agencies reveal statewide blueprint to address PFAS

The MPCA has released Minnesota’s PFAS Blueprint — a strategic, coordinated approach developed by multiple agencies to protect families and communities from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
A hand places a banana peel into a plastic organics for composting bin

Continue to recycle organics!

The MPCA continues to encourage organics recycling despite challenges in the composting industry associated with COVID-19.