Featured stories
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 MPCA's most important jobs is to issue timely air, water and land permits that protect human health and the environment. Data shows that the agency continues to improve its permitting efficiency.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Are streams and lakes getting better or worse?
MPCA starts its second cycle of monitoring throughout Minnesota this year, circling back to watersheds first monitored in 2008.
Blue-green algae: If in doubt, stay out
High temperatures and rain can lead to toxic blue-green algae blooms in our lakes and streams. This algae can be harmful to you and your pets, so stay out of suspicious green water.
Steve Erickson volunteers for Gribben Creek
Steve has lived near Lanesboro for 17 years and has monitored Gribben Creek for 14 years. "I volunteer because I have a great love for all things outdoors.”
Summer is ozone season
Hot, sunny weather brings the possibility of air quality alerts due to ozone. But what is ozone? Find out more.
Targeted local efforts restore water quality in metro-area lakes
When lakes and rivers are polluted with phosphorus, sediment, and other contaminants, it can take years of effort and expense to restore water quality. But this restoration work is having an impact.