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.

 Wildlife stranded from severe weather are turning up in storm debris
The Minnesota Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is seeing an uptick in the number of injured or stranded animals being dropped off during the aftermath of severe weather, especially for baby squirrels and migratory songbirds. 
Minnesota State Fair hosts another llama-alpaca costume contest for the ages
The Minnesota State Fair’s Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum was bursting with applause and chuckles as a herd of llamas and alpacas strutted their stuff alongside their 4-H student handlers Wednesday at the annual costume contest that saw a hungry caterpillar, plenty of wigs and lots of repurposed pants.
State looks to limit ‘forever chemicals’ in wastewater from 3M’s Cottage Grove plant
It will be the first time Minnesota has required an industry to limit PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in its wastewater. 3M’s Cottage Grove plant, the epicenter of the global PFAS problem, has been operating under a permit that expired more than 20 years ago.
Native plants, lots of patience: How a Stearns County couple restored a damaged lakeshore
Richard and Mary Gallea spent 20 years transforming their property on the Sauk River Chain of Lakes to a colorful native landscape. It’s helped to keep their lake clean. Here’s how they did it.