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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.

Submit a question or story for Getting to Green here.

Climate Cast

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

Toledo Zoo discovers Tasmanian devils that glow

Toledo Zoo discovers Tasmanian devils that glow

A conservation technician at the Toledo Zoo recently discovered the Tasmanian devils had biofluorescent ears, eyes and snout. It's not exactly clear what purpose the trait serves in mammals.
by Ryan Benk

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Endangered-species decision expected on beloved butterfly

Endangered-species decision expected on beloved butterfly

America's beloved monarch butterfly is facing possible listing as a threatened species. The Trump administration is expected to announce this week if it supports protecting the monarch under the endangered species act.
by The Associated Press

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Protesters hang on as construction continues on Line 3 pipeline project

Protesters hang on as construction continues on Line 3 pipeline project

Activists focus on disrupting construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline before it reaches the Mississippi River near Palisade, Minn. Some have taken to occupying trees in the line of construction with no plans to come down. 
by Evan Frost

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Record year for wind turbine shipments good for Minnesota economy, environment

Record year for wind turbine shipments good for Minnesota economy, environment

Ships carried more than half a million tons of wind energy cargo through the Port of Duluth this year, setting a record and signaling opportunity for Minnesota’s economy and environment.
by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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Voyageurs National Park designated a dark sky park

Voyageurs National Park designated a dark sky park

The area in northern Minnesota has some of the darkest skies in the Midwest, which makes the night sky more visible to people on the ground. There are only about 80 such parks worldwide.
by Tim Nelson

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How We Survive: Adapting to Climate Change

How We Survive: Adapting to Climate Change

Climate change is here. Experts say the time for prevention has passed, and we need to adapt—but what does that actually look like? This one-hour special from APM Marketplace, hosted by Molly Wood, explores the role of technology in helping humanity weather the impacts of climate change.

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New highway in southern Minnesota will include passageway designed for deer

New highway in southern Minnesota will include passageway designed for deer

All across Minnesota, highways of concrete and asphalt cross thoroughfares of a different kind: corridors used by wildlife as they seek food and shelter. A new highway in southern Minnesota is taking that into account, in a way that’s a first for state road construction projects.
by Andrew Krueger

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Wisconsin says wolf hunting season will be held next November

Wisconsin says wolf hunting season will be held next November

Wisconsin will resume its wolf hunting and trapping season next November after the animal is dropped from the federal endangered species list, the state announced Friday.
by The Associated Press

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Spruce top thieves: How demand for a north woods cash crop is sparking an illicit trade

Spruce top thieves: How demand for a north woods cash crop is sparking an illicit trade

A lot of the raw material that’s used to make holiday decorations — from Christmas wreaths and garlands to potted evergreen arrangements — comes from Minnesota’s north woods, where there's a thriving cottage industry of harvesters and distributors. But as the market has grown, so has the opportunity for spruce thieves looking to make a quick buck. 
by Dan Kraker

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