Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Environmental News

Water

NewsPartners

MPR News Staff

Author

Sean Connaughty collects trash from his beloved Lake Hiawatha almost every day. Battling pollution isn't a hopeless cause for him: "The one thing that's kept me going is that I'm confident we're going to come together as a community and resolve the problem."

Connaughty collects and catalogs items like these teething toys. 

Nikki Tundel for MPR News

Foam toe separators, typically used during manicures and pedicures. 

Volunteers have removed 4,500 pounds of trash from the area. 

 Connaughty collects and catalogs items like these Nerf darts. 

Connaughty collects and catalogs items he finds along the shoreline.

Sean Connaughty is working to clean up Lake Hiawatha in Minneapolis.

Sean Connaughty is an artist, professor, and community activist.

Connaughty collects and catalogs items like these bubble wands.

Connaughty collects and catalogs items he finds along the shoreline.  

Connaughty catalogs items he finds like these Valleyfair Snoopys.  

Connaughty and volunteers have removed 4,500 pounds of trash from the area.

A Minneapolis lake's story, told through its trash

Go Deeper.

Like this?