Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now

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.

Many proposed frac sand mines would fail 'trout stream' test

Many proposed frac sand mines would fail 'trout stream' test

Legislation that would prohibit frac sand mining within a mile of a trout stream or spring in southeastern Minnesota would prevent at least 10 proposed frac sand mines in the region from being developed, show an MPR News analysis.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Spring storms strand migrating loons in Wisconsin

At least 50 loons have been rescued from farmers' fields, parking lots and roadsides since Saturday in northern Wisconsin. What's happening?

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Bee deaths may have reached a crisis point for crops

Bee deaths may have reached a crisis point for crops

According to a new survey of America's beekeepers, almost a third of the country's honeybee colonies did not make it through the winter.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Critics want trout streams buffered from sand mining operations

Critics want trout streams buffered from sand mining operations

About 50 people from southeastern Minnesota gathered at the state Capitol Tuesday to sway legislators to require frac sand mines be located at least a mile away from trout streams and related waters.
by Stephanie Hemphill

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Meet Minnesota's new zebra mussel inspectors: dogs

Meet Minnesota's new zebra mussel inspectors: dogs

This year, zebra mussels might have a harder time escaping the state's new inspectors: three dogs specially trained to sniff out the tiny invasive species.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Voyageurs Park moose population holding steady, bucking trend

Voyageurs Park moose population holding steady, bucking trend

The moose population at Voyageurs National Park near International Falls is holding relatively steady, wildlife biologists announced Tuesday.
by Dan Kraker

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Minnesota solar power gets new boost from lawmakers

Minnesota solar power gets new boost from lawmakers

Minnesota utilities already are replacing coal-fired power plants with windmills, prompted by the state's landmark 2007 Next Generation Energy Act. Now, state legislators have introduced bills in the House and Senate that would increase the use of solar systems in homes and businesses.
by Stephanie Hemphill

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
In Fargo and elsewhere, flood predicting is tough, despite reams of data

In Fargo and elsewhere, flood predicting is tough, despite reams of data

The apparent false alarm about Red River flooding this year irritated some residents who questioned why the city spent $2 million preparing for the flood that wasn't. And that irritated Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker, who has sparred with the weather service himself in the past.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

New technology propels 'old energy' boom

Technology created an energy revolution over the past decade -- just not the one we expected. in the race to conquer energy technology, Old Energy is winning.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Time for farmers to get the message

Maybe it's time to think about doing things differently, farmers. You can't tell by Minnesota weather, but there's still a drought underway in the country, and that's bad news for many of the nation's farmers.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!