10 Minnesota environmental nonprofits join forces for Earth Day fundraiser

Ten of the state s leading environmental nonprofit groups are joining forces for an Earth Day charity event in hopes of raising money to protect the conditions The goal Raise more than to protect Minnesota s land water and wildlife and spark action on urgent issues like circumstances change polluted lakes and disappearing pollinators organizers noted The One Day One Earth One Minnesota collaboration will raise funds to protect Minnesota s natural support while also addressing the state s the bulk urgent environmental challenges like weather change water impurity habitat loss and environmental injustice Tuesday April marks the th anniversary of Earth Day but organizers encourage people to donate early Money raised will help account for a shortage in general funding with latest federal cuts widening the gap they reported in a news release Friday This initiative empowers individuals to step up take action and drive meaningful change Every donation will directly aid critical on-the-ground efforts across the state including ecological restoration habitat protection neighborhood engagement and environment resilience organizers announced Proud to participate Members of the participating organizations all disclosed they felt proud to be involved in the collaboration We re proud to be part of One Day One Earth One Minnesota because real environmental change doesn t happen alone it takes collaboration creativity and collective action mentioned Kateri Routh executive director of Great River Greening This Earth Day we re joining forces with nine incredible organizations and leaning into community-centric fundraising to turn individual passion into collective impact for our land our water and future generations The collaboration is especially crucial in light of fresh cuts in regime funding For months we ve felt uncertainty and dread about the loss of environmental funding at the national level It feels great to join with other Minnesota environmental groups to fight that uncertainty revealed Patricia Ohmans founder and director of Frogtown Green Not only will this campaign raise much-needed funds to continue our central work in environmental restoration but it also demonstrates our commitment to working together to improve green spaces for the future of all Minnesotans mentioned Hayley Ball executive director of Urban Roots When Rebecca Otto board chair of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy first heard her organization was participating in the collaboration she explained I thought Yes that s exactly what this moment demands ' She declared she was proud to be part of an organization that recognizes the future is in partnerships Luisana M ndez founder and executive director of Huellas Latinas explained that every step taken in nature can be an act of transformation not only personal but also collective Stronger together All of the organizations revealed they believe strength is in numbers We believe everyone deserves clean air land and water and we won t get there alone Public is the heart of our work and it only makes sense for us to carry that commitment to collaboration through our fundraising We are stronger together commented Laura Scholl executive director of Metro Blooms Participating organizations include Environmental Initiative The Minneapolis organization brings people from communities businesses nonprofits and regime together to solve environmental problems They do this by Convening and facilitating conversations on environmental issues where collaboration is needed largest part planning and hosting events for people to system share ideas and learn from one another and managing on-the-ground projects to improve our air land and water Friends of the Mississippi River The St Paul organization engages people to protect restore and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region It works with masses and private landowners local governments and concerned population members to protect and restore critical lands ecologically linked to the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities metro In addition it works and protects habitat and improves context resilience through planning land protection and natural tools restoration services Frogtown Green This St Paul organization is a resident-led volunteer-powered group that began with the creation of Frogtown Park Farm Since that success we have created six more parklets and gardens planted more than free fruit and shade trees created square feet of pollinator habitat and sponsored dozens of events Great River Greening This St Paul organization s goal is to inspire engage and lead local communities in conserving and caring for the water and land that enrich our lives They work to increase biodiversity cleaner water and air improved soil wellness stronger natural systems and enhance habitats for pollinators wildlife plants and people Huellas Latinas The St Paul organization was born to inspire and empower Latino communities to embrace and participate in outdoor recreation through inclusive and culturally responsive year-round outdoor recreation programs that promote wellness and connections to nature foster a sense of belonging and strengthen population ties Metro Blooms This Minneapolis organization partners with communities to create resilient landscapes and foster clean watersheds embracing the values of equity and inclusion to solve environmental challenges It works with individuals society groups local ruling body nonprofits business owners artists elders renters youth and people majority of impacted by environmental injustices Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy The St Paul and Duluth-based organization noted it uses law and science to protect Minnesota s ecosystem its natural information and the soundness of its people For years we ve worked in the courts at the Legislature and with inhabitants agencies to enact strengthen and enforce smart environmental law We work in solidarity with communities to protect the habitat especially where people are disproportionately impacted by toxicity and social inequities Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light This Minneapolis organization works in partnership with faith and spiritual communities and all Minnesotans to build transformative power and bring the lights of people s unique gifts to addressing the weather dilemma Ow mniyomni Okh dayapi The Ow mniyomni project previously called the Falls Initiative in Minneapolis is an effort to create a place of healing restoration connection and development at Ow mniyomni St Anthony Falls on acres of property adjacent to the Upper Lock The lock closed to commercial navigation in and is owned by the U S Army Corps of Engineers Ow mniyomni Okh dayapi is the city and Park Board s agent in negotiations with the U S Army Corps of Engineers It is also a cost-sharing partner Urban Roots The St Paul organization s mission is to cultivate and empower youth through nature healthy food and society It operates as a youth improvement project and is one of the largest youth employers on the East Side of St Paul We create economic and educational opportunities for under-resourced majority BIPOC youth Its vision is a world where all communities have unlimited access to nature and healthy food Routh of Great River Greening noted the donations will help fuel efforts to restore lakes and rivers safeguard forests protect pollinators and build a healthier Minnesota for future generations Related Articles Joe Soucheray Cutting the pittance set aside for private schools Typical Taking on the world s toughest snowmobile race On maiden deployment USS Minneapolis-St Paul stops two drug smuggling operations in Caribbean Letters Seasons rule We need permanent standard time not DST Minnesota gains jobs in March largest gain in a year How to help To donate to the One Day One Earth One Minnesota benefit go to givemn org organization Earth-Day-Collaborative