MNSights - Fall 2011 - (Page 12)

Healthy H2O If You Care About … LAND CONSIDER: Minnesota Land Trust This nonproﬁt works with landowners and communities to preserve the state’s natural beauty, from the North Shore to the southern blufﬂand. “We have completed 424 separate land protection projects that provide permanent protection for 38,000 acres of natural and scenic land,” says Walter Abramson, director of development and communications. CURRENT PROJECT: The Trust is leading a major restoration effort in the contaminated St. Louis River Estuary, a 12,000-acre wetland complex. HOW YOU CAN HELP: If you own high-quality, scenic land, the Trust would love to talk with you about protecting it—especially if it contains water. mnland.org Many bright Minnesotan minds have been thinking about water lately, thanks to the Minnesota Idea Open, sponsored by Minnesota Community Foundation and Pentair. The Idea Open challenged residents to say how they’d use $15,000 to address water issues in their community. Scores of people offered ideas, but only one was crowned the champion to implement their idea. Learn about the winner at mnideaopen.org. Environmental Justice This category wasn’t included in the survey, but we asked Minnesota Philanthropy Partners’ program staff to identify a high-impact nonproﬁt in this area. Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota works to help low-income Minnesotans and communities of color—groups that tend to disproportionately experience unhealthy environments and limited access to natural resources. Last year, EJAM shifted its focus speciﬁcally to North Minneapolis, collaborating with community members to foster healthy environments, sustainable economic growth and personal well-being. ejamn.org Expert Advice Jim Perry Professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota Years working with the environment: 45 Center for Environmental Advocacy, which links science and law to change policies. GIVING ADVICE: “The most effective thing people can do is to try to understand their own value systems. If you can give your time or energy resources to a place where your values are held, it feels better.” LOCAL NONPROFIT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT: Minnesota Carrie Jo Short Director of grants and program services for Minnesota Philanthropy Partners Years working with the environment: 16 Inquiry, which helps people from all walks of life experience the natural world. GIVING ADVICE: “I think it’s really incumbent for all of us to make sure youth of color have opportunities to be out in the environment and have positive experiences. People don’t protect what they don’t love.” LOCAL NONPROFIT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT: Wilderness Ken Bradley Director of Environment Minnesota Years working with the environment: 11 Livable Communities, which works to improve Minnesota’s transportation system. GIVING ADVICE: “We should all think about the businesses we’re doing business with and who we’re giving our money to.” LOCAL NONPROFIT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT: Transit for 12 FA L L I 2011 M NSIGHTS http://www.mnland.org http://www.mnideaopen.org http://www.ejamn.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