The Wetlands Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the wetland resources of the Midwest to improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and reduce flood damage. Their work combines two basic strategies: restore more wetlands and strive to innovate fundamental changes in how we finance large-scale wetland restoration. Their projects are based …
American Rivers combines national advocacy with field work in key river basins to protect rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature. To do this, they build partnerships and work closely with local river advocates, businesses and agriculture interests, recreation groups, and others to forge solutions. In the Upper Mississippi River, …
Located in the scenic St. Croix River Valley, Franconia Sculpture Park is a nonprofit arts organization operating a 43-acre outdoor sculpture park, active artist residency, and community arts programming. The park is free and open to the public 365 days a year, with over 100 sculptures created by artists-in-residence. Franconia awards competitive fellowships and internships …
City of Lakes Community Land Trust creates affordable housing opportunities by acquiring land and removing it from the speculative, for-profit real estate market. Income-qualified buyers can then purchase a home on the land, leasing the land through a 99-year renewable ground lease. This ensures that if and when the homeowner decides to sell, the Land …
The Arts Center of Saint Peter helps people make some of the most enjoyable and productive mistakes of their lives. It happens when they’re elbow-deep in clay and sweaty with the effort it takes to focus, breathe, and center again and again. Here in the region’s largest independent clay studio, we teach youth and adults …
For the first time ever, detailed information about the 31-state Mississippi River Watershed, or America’s Watershed, has been compiled, analyzed and graded in a “Report Card” released October 14, 2015. The Report Card measures six broad goals — water supply; transportation; flood control and risk reduction; the economy; recreation; and ecosystem health — all important …
Wisconsin counties have broad authority to control land uses and protect natural resources, but many defer to state and federal agencies on wetland development decisions. Without active local involvement, decisions affecting wetlands can be inconsistent with community-established goals and priorities. To improve the consideration of wetlands in local land use decision-making, the Wisconsin Wetlands Association …
The Rising Cedar Apartment complex isn’t just a beautiful building — it makes a difference in the lives of those who live with mental illness. Rising Cedar was developed by Project for Pride in Living (PPL) with support from McKnight’s Region & Communities program and in collaboration with Touchstone Mental Health, a nonprofit that works …
While we understand the need for families to have housing stability, we started asking ourselves a pivotal question several years ago: how do we affect change that transforms systems so that children and families can create their own solutions to problems? This led to a greater understanding of housing as a platform for change agents: …
Made Here is downtown’s Urban Walking Gallery in the Minneapolis Cultural District. The project showcases creativity from across Minnesota by temporarily filling empty storefronts or commercial spaces with the work of Minnesota artists. It is the largest initiative of its kind in the nation hosting 38 creations across 16 city blocks. The Made Here Arts …