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Links: Regional Resources for Technical Assistance in Environment
Bridges:
Minnesota’s Gateway to Environmental Information is a collaborative
effort of Minnesota state government environmental agencies that
supports the distribution of environmental and natural resource data
and documents in an electronic format. Online resources include a
searchable Internet database, web links of environmental interest,
downloadable PDF documents, metadata, and geographic data.
The Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE) is a part of the Hamline University Graduate School of Education. It works to foster environmental literacy and stewardship, combining environmental education with technology and hands-on projects to train and educate students, teachers, and the community.
The Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR) is an interdisciplinary unit of the College of Design (CDES) at the University of Minnesota that conducts research and develops tools to improve the environmental impact and energy efficiency of buildings. Among other projects, CSBR publishes the Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide, a guidebook for developing sustainable design strategies and determining performance measures.
Fresh Energy empowers citizens to influence decisions on energy and the environment. It supports the development of clean energy technologies, the efficient use of energy resources, and advocates policy reform. The Fresh Energy web site provides information on energy and technology issues, and includes links to available resources to help people understand, develop, and implement clean energy programs and projects.
Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) works toward improving water quality, maintaining fish and wildlife habitats, and protecting riverfront land along the Mississippi River, through volunteer, recreational, and educational events and programs.
Full Circle Institute (FCI) fosters the creation of sustainable communities through informational service learning-based activities. It brings schools, businesses, and governments together to partner on sustainbility and envinronmental projects.
Great River Greening partners with landowners and citizen volunteers to restore and maintain urban natural resources in the Twin Cities metro-area river valleys. It focuses its work on both developed and natural areas, including projects on native planting designs, ecological inventories, restoration management plans, and planting of native greenery. Great River Greening also provides consulting services for a fee to private organizations and public agencies.
The Twin Cities Green Guide publishes a web site and comprehensive guidebook on sustainability in Minnesota. The Green Guide educates the public about environmental issues and promotes sustainable and community-based living, through its accessible environmental guidebook. The Green Guide offers individuals facts and information on how citizens can effect positive environmental changes in their own lives in the areas of food, family, health, energy, gardening, and others.
The Green Institute is an entrepreneurial environmental organization that encourages the creation of a sustainable urban environment. It operates the Philips Eco-Enterprise Center, the ReUse Center, Deconstruction Services, GreenSpace Partners, and the Green Resource Center.
The Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) makes recommendations
to the Minnesota Legislature to support projects that maintain and
enhance Minnesota’s natural resources. The LCMR recommended 56
natural resource projects to the 2001 legislature for $49, 000, 000
that will be distributed through 2003. Online, the LCMR provides abstracts
and publications for its funded projects.
The Midtown Greenway Coalition is a citizens’ group that supports the development and improvevment of a greenway and bikeway along the 29th Street railroad corridor in Minneapolis, connecting the Chain of Lakes to the Mississippi River.
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is the state’s administrative agency for soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, and water management organizations. The board provides outreach and technical services, such as dispute resolution, education, engineering, financial/grant services, and an envirothon. Beginning fall, 2002, BWSR will provide a new electronic business and reporting system named eLINK that will help local governments manage, track, and analyze environmental projects.
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) works to protect Minnesota’s natural resources and wildlife, and to create a healthful environment for its people. MCEA uses legislative action, business collaboration, and research to effect positive changes in water quality, public health, transportation and land use, and wildlife and natural areas. Its web site includes reports, publications, and news related to environmental advocacy and environmental protection.
The Minnesota Conservation Federation (MCF)–the oldest conservation organization in the state of Minnesota–is, "dedicated to preserving Minnesota’s natural resources–its air, soil, and minerals, its forests, waters, and wildlife–through education and grassroots legislative action." MCF advocates the creation of environmental policies, supports collaborative environmental programs, and educates the public. MCF's resources include a monthly magazine, a publication for junior high school students, and an online list of web links to information on environmental resources.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a mission, "to work with citizens to protect and manage the state’s natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life." The DNR has nine main divisions including, ecological services, enforcement, fisheries, forestry, lands and minerals, parks and recreation, trails and waterways, waters, and wildlife. It serves the public in these divisions by providing online publications and maps, issuing licenses and permits (e.g. hunting), and educating people about natural resources. The DNR also provides financial and technical assistance through an online financial assistance directory and a list of practical tips about natural resource stewardship titled In your backyard.
The Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP) is a coalition of 70 environmental and conservation organizations in Minnesota. MEP facilitates organizational cooperation toward the common goal of protecting and preserving the environment. It provides a forum for participating organizations to share information; to coordinate efforts, strategies, and legislative issues; and to develop agendas for the future. MEP supports an online regional database of environmental organizations that can be searched by issue, region, or name.
The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) is a partnership of the University of Minnesota's College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences (COAFES) and the Sustainable Coalition. MISA encourages the development and implementation of sustainable agricultural practices by increasing communication between the University and agriculture practitioners, financially supporting research on sustainable agriculture, creating a climate of political support for sustainable agriculture, and promoting sustainable community development principles throughout Minnesota.
The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) works with land owners to protect Minnesota’s environment, and supports the creation of conservation easements. In the public interest of preserving open space, rural land, and natural features, the MLT provides books, videos, and guides that help communities plan for and implement land preservation projects.
The Minnesota Lakes Association (MLA) is comprised of lake users, lakeshore property owners, lake associations and coalitions, local government units, and businesses. It works to foster citizen stewardship of lakes, and advocates for legislative policies to maintain and improve Minnesota's lakes. It promotes the development of local lake and watershed associations, encourages educational and scientific activities on lake management, develops training programs, promotes strong advocacy programs for lakes, publishes educational materials, and sponsors conferences and events. MLA provides many online resources, including its Sustainable Lakes Workbook, a lake management and planning bibliography, water links, and many publications and reports.
The Minnesota Project promotes sustainable development and environmental protection in rural Minnesota, through policy advocacy at the state and national levels, creation of regional, and national coalitions that support communication and information transfer, and education. The Minnesota Project web site includes examples of small sustainable community projects—with more examples forthcoming—to illustrate how such projects integrate issues of economy, environment, and quality of life.
The Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) works to maintain and improve the environmetal and economic health of Minnesota's resources. The OEA supports businesses and local governments with financial and technical assistance for the development and implementation of environmentally and economically sustainable practices in the areas of waste management, pollution prevention, and others.
The Sensible Land Use Coalition brings together public- and private-sector professionals in land use, planning, and development to work toward effective public policy; to foster a balanced approach toward planning issues; and to promote communication between the public and private sector. The Sensible Land Use Coalition supports programs and educational activities on topics such as affordable housing, transportation, and infill, redevelopment, and reinvestment in cities.
The Sustainable Resources Center (SRC) focuses on the issues of energy use, land use, gardening, and the environment, with particular focuses on children’s environmental health, community food systems, and the development of healthy, energy-efficient housing. The SRC's programs include the Urban Lands Program, which provides technical assistance, resources, and advocacy to gardeners; the Healthy Communities Initiative, which provides safe and healthy housing for families in need; the Energy and Indoor Air Quality program, which assists people in improving their indoor air quality and sving energy; and CLEARCorps, which addresses the issue of lead exposure in urban housing.
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