You may have noticed that your neighbors’ lawns are getting a little... what’s the word? ... LONG. Or perhaps you’ve started to see “No Mow May” signs pop up around the neighborhood. So, what’s going on with people not mowing their lawns?

Last Saturday, April 16, was stream trout opener in Minnesota and anglers across the state were excited to get out and hit the water. Aside from recreational benefits, trout are valuable in teaching us about Minnesota’s water quality.

Springtime in Minnesota means one thing: we’re all itching to get back outside after those cold, dreary winter days. Earth Day (April 22) provides a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors and re-connect with nature. Our team rounded up five ways you can celebrate Earth Day today (and everyday).

Do you remember learning to write haiku in elementary school?

“Great River Greening is hosting a series of hands-on volunteer events removing invasive species at River Bend Nature Center. Volunteers will help restore the landscape by clearing buckthorn, garlic mustard and wild parsnip. “

In Minnesota, our climate has warmed three-degrees over the last century and natural precipitation has increased by an average of 3.4-inches. While this doesn’t seem like much, slowly rising temperatures and rainfall have led to a decline in wildlife and plant populations, poor air and water quality, increasingly extreme weather patterns, more frequent natural disasters, and excessive heat and droughts.

In January 2022, Great River Greening kicked off a new youth program that connects students of color to the outdoors while helping them succeed in the classroom. The program – Future Stewards – builds native gardens on three school properties that serve as outdoor classrooms.

Volunteering not only has a real, immediate impact on our land and water…it’s also a positive experience for our volunteers. Kids love getting their hands dirty, adults learn the nuts and bolts of environmental restoration, and together we have FUN.

Thanks to generous grants from the Opus Foundation and an anonymous family foundation, we’re launching a new youth initiative to inspire kids and students to care for Minnesota’s land and water.