Environmental News

MPR News is your source for environment news from Minnesota and across the country.

Getting to Green: Minnesota’s energy future

Getting to Green is an MPR News series that shares stories about Minnesota’s clean energy transition, including what needs to be done to get there.

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Climate Cast

Listen to Climate Cast, the MPR News podcast all about our changing climate and its impact in Minnesota and worldwide.

Warm weather forces park officials to suspend Isle Royale wolf count for first time in decades
The National Park Service suspended the count Tuesday out of concerns that warm weather has left the ice surrounding the island unsafe for the ski-planes the researchers use in their surveys. Regional temperatures have been above freezing for the last week.
How mapping 'heat islands' can help cities prepare for extreme heat
Oklahoma City and several other cities last year worked with NOAA to map neighborhoods to find out how heat impacts neighborhoods. The data can help cities prepare and adapt to a warmer world.
How are Minnesota's trees faring during this warm winter? An expert explains
The weirdly warm and dry weather has potential consequences for the natural world, including Minnesota’s trees. Lee Frelich, director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology, shared his insight with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition.
How rethinking design could reduce the need for road salt
Eden Prairie is a pilot city testing low-salt design. The concept is to plan streets and buildings so ice and melted snow don't accumulate in places where people walk and drive, reducing the need for deicing salt that pollutes lakes, rivers and streams.
Paddle planning: BWCA permit reservations open Wednesday
Reservations for trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness open Wednesday at 9 a.m. Permits usually get snapped up fast. Forest officials offer several tips to make your reservation.