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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The Governor's Biofuels Council will have 15 members, including representatives of the agriculture, biofuels and transportation industries, as well as environmental and conservation groups.
Vineyards facing an insect invasion may turn to aliens for help
A stowaway from China, the spotted lanternfly, is eating its way across Pennsylvania, killing trees and grapevines. Scientists are considering importing the bug's natural enemies from back home.
A fire lookout discusses what's lost in a transition to technology
The number of manned fire lookouts in the U.S. is dwindling, as technology is increasingly used to spot and monitor wildfires. But can technology fully replace the human eye?
This year's wet weather may lead to vibrant fall colors in Minnesota
Abundant rainfall this year may lead to a particularly vibrant display of fall color across Minnesota — as long as we get some sunny, dry days in the coming weeks.
Along North Shore, piles of rocks create mountains of controversy
A nationwide controversy over the building of cairns — those stacks of rocks, usually built to mark a trail — has spread to Minnesota. Detractors say they ruin the view and can cause ecological harm. Others don’t understand what all the fuss is about.
How bad will this winter be in Minnesota? Could go either way
Farmers' Almanac is predicting one heck of a winter. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is putting out a neutral forecast. And then there’s that blob in the Pacific Ocean that could influence weather patterns.
DNR puts silver carp back into the St. Croix, hoping to learn its ways
State conservation officials say they’ve tagged and released a silver carp into the St. Croix River for the first time as a way to learn more about the invasive creature’s habits and movements.