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.

New online tool allows for close-up look into Minnesota’s changing climate future
University of Minnesota researchers are launching a new online tool today that allows people to visualize how a future climate will look and feel, down to a 2.5 mile scale. The goal is to help engineers, farmers and others better plan for a climate-changed future.
Minnesota lawmakers back $12M for invasive carp barrier in Mississippi River
The DNR will partner with federal agencies to design and install the barrier at Lock and Dam No. 5 near Winona to keep invasive carp from swimming upstream on the Mississippi. The funding bill is headed to Gov. Tim Walz for his likely signature.
Biden's National Monument expansion applauded by allies, but big obstacles loom
President Biden dramatically expanded two national monuments in California. But there are growing concerns that federal land managers are struggling to manage existing monuments designated since 2016.
Appeals court lifts injunction on Minneapolis’ 2040 plan
The city of Minneapolis can resume work under its 2040 Comprehensive Plan following an appeals court ruling Monday. That’s the plan that gained national attention when it made Minneapolis the first U.S. city to end single-family-only zoning.
Otter Tail County proposes restrictions on vacation home rentals
Otter Tail County is considering a new ordinance designed to reduce noise and large gatherings at vacation home rentals. The proposed ordinance is in response to complaints from lake property owners.
Audio postcard: Orchid season in the woods
Rainfall and sunshine have been creating a perfect mix for wildflowers across the state to crop up. Wildflower Chasers Kelly Povo and Phyllis Root set out to find their first wildflowers of the season. They start in southeast Minnesota and send us this audio postcard.