Minnesota models: collaborating locally — across sectors and interests — for a better environment.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged about the state of our environment.
At Environmental Initiative, we believe by working together – across sectors and interests – we can achieve more effective and longer lasting solutions.
Working in this way isn’t easy.
In 2015, Minnesota generated 35 megawatts for community solar subscriptions total.
Emerging Leader – Eliza Clark: Clark is the director of sustainability and environmental at Andersen Corporation, a founding member of the Minnesota Sustainable Growth Coalition, and the Vice Chair of Super Bowl LII’s Sustainability Committee.
Energy and Climate – City of Hutchinson Landfill Solar PV: The City of Hutchinson is home to the largest landfill solar project in Minnesota, made possible by public-private partnership.
Sustainable Business – Promoting Deconstruction and Reuse: According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, more than 80 percent of the 1.6 million tons of construction and demolition waste was landfilled in 2013.
In 2016, Better Futures Minnesota and their partners helped recycle or reuse more than 1,571 tons of building materials that would have otherwise been landfilled.
Mike Harley is the executive director of Environmental Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to building partnerships to solve environmental problems collaboratively.

Fish Restoration Program Update: Prospect Island Tidal Habitat Restoration Project, Real estate acquisition, Regional salinity monitoring, and Restoration RFP.
Prospect Island Tidal Habitat Restoration Project Update The Department of Water Resources recently acquired approximately 9 acres of property on Prospect Island in Solano County, completing the purchase of the island.
DWR is finishing the process of reviewing and responding to public comments on the Prospect Island Tidal Habitat Restoration Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).
Restoration Real Estate Acquisition and Project Status Arnold Slough In 2017, the Fish Restoration Program acquired Arnold Slough, formerly known as Property 604, comprising approximately 280 acres of land adjacent to the Blacklock Restoration Site.
Bradmoor Island Bradmoor Island Tidal Restoration Project, previously referred to as the Overlook Club (Property 322) Tidal Restoration Project, is located within the Nurse Slough Complex of Suisun Marsh, Solano County.
DWR purchased the 245-acre Overlook Club in February 2013, the 257-acre Flying D Club (Property 329) in February 2016, and the 242-acre parcel (Property 330) in February 2017.
Two of the three properties will have lease agreements for recreational use of the property until early Spring 2019, at which time restoration actions on the property are expected to begin.
DWR seeks to better understand how collective restoration efforts are impacting salinity on a system-wide scale, and initial work on model calibration and scenario development is ongoing with a study report expected in 2018.
Fish Restoration RFP DWR posted an extensive Request for Proposals (RFP) for fish habitat restoration projects within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh.
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