MNSights - Fall 2011 - (Page 11)

If You Care About … WATER CONSIDER: Friends of the Mississippi River Through volunteer programs and other activities, this group engages Twin Citians to help protect the Mississippi. “The river is such an important part of our sense of place,” says development director Heather Haynes. So far, 12 neighborhoods have helped by cleaning up riverbanks, removing invasive species and planting natives. CURRENT PROJECT: Its new Blue Star Awards recognize cities that are doing well at managing urban runoff, which can dump contaminants in the river. HOW YOU CAN HELP: Sign up for the Mississippi River Challenge, a 44-mile paddling and camping fundraiser. fmr.org If You Care About … ENERGY A $3 donation to Friends of the Mississippi River each pay period provides water-pollution education to 50 schoolkids. CONSIDER: Fresh Energy Fresh Energy has a clear goal: helping Minnesota transition to clean energy sources that are good for the environment, the economy and our health. In 2007, it led the charge to pass a law establishing one of the strongest renewable electricity standards in the nation. By 2025, the state’s utilities must use renewable sources to generate at least 25 percent of their power. CURRENT PROJECT: The group is working to If You Care About … WILDLIFE CONSIDER: Pheasants Forever Driven by a passion for responsible pheasant hunting, this group has improved more than 6 million acres of wildlife habitat in North America, including 831 projects in Minnesota last year. “Those acres also provide habitat for other species,” says spokesman Bob St. Pierre. “They restore prairies, protect water quality and soils, prevent ﬂoods and provide public land for outdoor recreation.” CURRENT PROJECT: make Minnesota a leader in sales of electric and hybrid vehicles. HOW YOU CAN HELP: Subscribe to its publications to learn about events. fresh-energy.org If You Care About … 00 M N SIGHTS FA L L I 2011 The group has launched Quail Forever to protect yet more fowl. HOW YOU CAN HELP: Join a local chapter and start attending meetings. pheasantsforever.org ADVOCACY CONSIDER: Minnesota Environmental Partnership A coalition of 80-plus member organizations, MEP has pushed forward landmark laws on clean energy, clean water and funding for transit and conservation. It also produces the annual Living Green Expo, which showcases what’s new in sustainable living. CURRENT PROJECT: The group is working to buy its Saint Paul building, which it plans to turn into an environmental center where conservation groups can share services. HOW YOU CAN HELP: Sign up for the partnership’s Action Alerts to receive e-mails or text messages whenever urgent citizen action is needed. mepartnership.org http://www.fmr.org http://www.fresh-energy.org http://www.pheasantsforever.org http://www.mepartnership.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MNSights - Fall 2011

MNSights - Fall 2011
Contents
Give to the Max
What Local Mayors Want
Who Inspires Us: Designer John Larsen
How to Give Smart While Giving Green

MNSights - Fall 2011