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.

St. Cloud looks to restore old stormwater tunnel for bats
The project will build a new, rerouted storm sewer to replace an existing brick-and-mortar tunnel built in the 1920s. That old tunnel will be restored to provide critical habitat for bats facing population declines due to a deadly fungal disease.
Forest Service expands Boundary Waters closure north of Ely amid growing wildfire concerns
Superior National Forest officials on Saturday night issued a new, much larger temporary closure order for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness north of Ely amid growing concerns about the threat posed by wildfires burning just across the Canadian border.
The Line 3 oil pipeline project: What you need to know
Enbridge, based in Calgary, Alberta, built an oil pipeline running southeast from Canada's tar sands region to Lake Superior's western tip near the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. Here’s an FAQ to help you keep up with the latest.
Crews making progress on wildfire east of Ely; new BWCA closures announced near border
More than 150 firefighters continued to battle Thursday through a jumble of downed trees to contain a wildfire burning east of Ely. Meanwhile, officials announced a new slate of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closures along the Canadian border.
Worries over racism, waterways inspire push to rename fish
Some government agencies are changing the “Asian carp” label to "invasive carp" in the wake of anti-Asian hate crimes that surged during the pandemic. At the same time, Illinois officials and partner groups are planning to give the four species yet another name in a marketing campaign to get more people to eat them.
Nature as a healer
When you’re stressed or anxious do you go for a walk in the woods? Or do you garden or kayak? Host Angela Davis talks about the healing benefits of nature with the founder of a nature-based therapeutics program, a holistic health practitioner and therapist who sees clients outdoors.