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Three women flexing biceps of right arm stand in front of recycling truck with sign that reads Minneapolis Reycyles.

School lunch boxes become opportunity for waste education

Three members of MN GreenCorps worked through the Minneapolis Public Schools' free meal box program to promote waste reduction and recycling.
A smiling woman standing next to a electric vehicle charging station, holding the charging cord

Coon Rapids gets an EV-charging boost with an MPCA grant

Helped by an MPCA grant, Coon Rapids has increased local options for electric vehicle drivers with two new charging stations at public buildings.
An overhead view of a spatula in a pot filled with grease sitting alongside a sink

No grease in your sinks, no wipes in your pipes

Prevent costly sewer clogs by keeping grease out of sinks and by not flushing disposable wipes.
A bicycle sculpture forms a gateway to a paved trail that runs through colorful trees next to a river

From polluted to prairie: MPCA marks cleanup of former gas plant site in Austin

A successful cleanup of contaminated land along the Cedar River in Austin caps a long history of industrial pollution.
 
The words We Are Water Minnesota above three photos: a girl fishing, a woman wild-ricing, and a smiling young man

We Are Water MN exhibit moves to Mankato

The traveling exhibit highlights the story of the Watonwan, Blue Earth, and Le Sueur River watersheds at the Blue Earth County Historical Society History Center. Exhibition extended through March 5.
A hand putting a piece of wood into the front door of a wood-burning stove

New standards for wood-burning stoves and boilers

Shopping for a new wood stove? Remember that new stoves and outdoor boilers must be certified to new 2020 emission standards to be sold in Minnesota.
Five white stars and the word Excellence on a blue background

In a first for a Minnesota agency, MPCA receives top award from Performance Excellence Network

The Performance Excellence Network has awarded the MPCA its Excellence Award for the agency's superior operational performance and commitment to continuous improvement.
A man in a blue and green plaid shirt holds a white board with a pile of dried vegetation to explain the importance of crop residue to a group of people standing in a farm field.

Forecast calls for involving farmers to meet climate change challenge

The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District's Soil Health Farm demonstrates how farmers can benefit from practices that also provide resilience to climate change.
Close up of hands holding a narrow fish with a dark colored back, pale stomach, and dark copper colored face.

Snake River Watershed is resilient, allowing sensitive species to thrive

The Snake River Watershed and its water species are faring well in our changing climate, thanks to its undeveloped natural areas.
The words We Are Water Minnesota above three photos: a girl fishing, a woman wild-ricing, and a smiling young man

We Are Water MN adapts to COVID-19, opens in Morris

The University of Minnesota - Morris is hosting a COVID-conscious version of We Are Water Minnesota through October 19.
An oil spill response in Lyon County

Emergency response and management

Above and beyond. MPCA recognizes the Cottonwood Fire Department for quick response and partnership in containing a fuel oil spill.
A man in a white lab coat looks at a computer. Flasks and tubes are in stands on the surface next to him.

Meeting the challenges of PFAS

The MPCA is working to identify the sources of PFAS — a nearly ubiquitous class of chemicals — in our environment and find ways to tackle the problem that will have the most impact.
Before side of photo is black and white showing a man digging in a river bank of paper mill waste. The after side is color and shows beautiful still water reflecting the clouds.

Report: Rainy River recovers, thanks to regulations and partnerships

Once one of the most polluted rivers in the state, the Rainy River now boasts “good to excellent” water quality.
A dark river flows through a golden fall landscape

The Rainy River: A recovering river now in need of protection

The Rainy River is in excellent condition. The river has made a remarkable recovery and now needs protection.
Electric-powered school bus

Minnesota to invest up to $3M in electric school buses

Minnesota is the first state in the Midwest to launch a pilot project to help fund the purchase of all-electric school buses and see how the vehicles perform in our state's harsh climate.