Fruits of the City

Do you live or work near a fruit tree with just as much fruit on the ground as on the tree? Have you ever thought something could be done to combat the waste?

Enter member group the Minnesota Project and Fruits of the City. Started in 2008 with just one apple tree, this year the program and its volunteers has picked more than 30,000 pounds of fruit from 200 trees, all donated to local food shelves.

Read more about Fruits of the City http://www.mnproject.org/food-FruitsOfTheCity.html.

You should also visit our calendar of events to find gleaning opportunities near you. 

What's your passion?

Studies show that following your passion can lead to a longer, healthier more fulfilling life. What's your passion? 

 

Is it the environment? Making a difference in your community?

 

During the past year and a half, the Minnesota Environmental Fund has been engaged in a process of restructuring its Board of Directors and now we need your help to fill our board with passionate, motivated difference-makers. 

 

We invite you to click the middle image in the trio to the right or visit http://www.mnenvirofund.org/boardnom.html for more information and to access a Nominating and Recommendation form to express interest on behalf of yourself or someone else. 

  

The development of the new board is one of the final steps in our process to help the Fund become a stronger, more effective organization, capable of delivering vital funds to environmental causes in Minnesota now and in the future. 

Where were you in 1991?

1991 -- Sonic the Hedgehog was 'born'; the TV show Dallas ended and Home Improvement began; Minnesota had a blizzard on Halloween.

 

The Minnesota Environmental Fund was incorporated.

 

The Minnesota Environmental Fund was founded by six groups who banded together to offer an environmental choice in payroll giving programs: Friends of the Boundary Waters; Clean Water Fund; Izaak Walton League of America, MN Division; Land Stewardship Project; MN Conservation Federation; Audubon MN of NAS; Project Environmental Foundation (which was a project of Sierra Club and eventually became MCEA.)

 

The Fund has since grown to 24 organizations working on issues impacting Minnesota's air, land, water, food, energy, recycling, public health and climate change. After raising just over $90,000 that first year, the Fund has gone on to raise more than $10 million dollars for Minnesota's environment.

 

We couldn't have done it -- and can't continue to do it -- without you!

 

Help us celebrate 20 years! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive daily environmental tips and relevant updates.

It's spring time and there is much to do!

Many of Minnesota Environmental Fund's 24 members have numerous events happening in the coming months.  Get out and enjoy Minnesota.  Check out events here. 

Collaboration

Not much would get done if people didn't work together. Same goes for organizations. Here are some examples of collaborations between members of the Fund and area businesses made possible by donors to the Fund: MN Environmental Initiative and HealthPartners are co-sponsoring a two-day conference to share the business case for adopting environmentally sustainable practices in health care operations. Prominent members of the business community will be attending and presenting. Check out Health Care that's Healthy! Audubon Minnesota and businesses and building owners in the Twin Cities metro area have collaborated for years to protect migrating birds and in the process, reduced lighting bills!  Read more about the Lights Out Program and see if your office building is participating. Wilderness Inquiry is partnering with dozens of local cities, non-profits, government agencies and school districts to connect urban youth with the environment through its Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventure program. MEF and you! Your support allows 24 local environmental organizations to make a difference in the places we live, work and play.

Have you considered a CSA this year?

Looking for an affordable way to support local agriculture and enjoy fresh produce all summer long?  Then a CSA just might be for you. 

The Land Stewardship Project, one of our member groups puts out a listing for CSA's in Minnesota.  Check out the 2011 CSA Directory here.

The Minnesota Food Association and Women's Environmental Institute both produce their own CSAs each year.

For information on The Minnesota Food Association's CSA click here

For information on the Women's Environmental Institute's CSA click here.

And to become more educated on local foods check out the Minnesota Project.

Now is the time to sign up!

Staying active in the middle of winter!

It is indeed VERY cold outside right now, but I guess that is expected in Minnesota in early February. 

Here is a way to stay active in the month of February, indoors or out!  http://bikewalkweek.org/winterwalkoff

Holiday Benefit Night for Minnesota Environmental Fund

This Wednesday's the Day!

Make sure you've marked December 8th on your calendar for the shopping event to benefit the Minnesota Environmental Fund at Ten Thousand Villages gift store.

From 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8, you can shop for a great cause: 20 percent of all sales will be donated to the Fund.

What: Minnesota Environmental Fund Benefit Night
Where: Ten Thousand Villages, 867 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul (map)
When: Wednesday, December 8, 2010, 5 to 8 p.m.
Who: You, your friends, family and co-workers
Why: Because for every item purchased - and there are hundreds if not thousands of unique gifts for you and others in your life - 20% of the sale will benefit the Minnesota Environmental Fund.

Hope to see you there!

 

Find out more about Ten Thousand Villages at http://stpaul.tenthousandvillages.com/php/stores.festivals/store.about_our_store.php

The Minnesota Environmental Fund is proud to announce the addition of three local environmental organizations to its list of members.

ST. PAUL, MN (November 16, 2010) –The Minnesota Environmental Fund is proud to announce the addition of three local environmental organizations to its list of members.

 

Fresh Energy, Will Steger Foundation, and Women’s Environmental Institute were voted on as new members of the Fund at a November 15, 2010 board meeting.  These organizations each demonstrate an outstanding commitment to promoting environmental awareness and education, adding to the already 21-member strong Fund that supports protection, conservation and restoration in Minnesota.

 

Ed Marek, Executive Director of the Minnesota Environmental Fund, said “We are excited to welcome these fantastic organizations on board. They broaden the scope of the Fund and will help us continue to offer an environmental choice to employees in Minnesota.”

 

The Minnesota Environmental Fund is a diverse group of organizations with one common goal: maintaining a high-quality environment.  The Minnesota Environmental Fund provides education and a vital payroll giving choice to employees through a group of member organizations that protect, conserve and restore Minnesota’s environment.  Since 1991, the Minnesota Environmental Fund has raised over $8 million to help fund the work of its member organizations.

Giving Thanks

It is the month of November, where many celebrate Thanksgiving, when we remember what we are thankful for.  And the Minnesota Environmental Fund is feeling very thankful. 

We are currently in campaign season and have heard back from a small number of our campaign partners.  We are so grateful to all of them for giving their employees a way to easily support Minnesota's environment. 

Thank you to the following organizations that have done an amazing job and were able to increase their rate of employee participation and/or total dollars raised in 2010!

• ADC
• Amherst Wilder Foundation
• City of Richfield
• Leonard Street & Deinard
• St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
• Stillwater Schools

We are also thankful for other ways that people can support Minnesota's environment.  There are two opportunitities coming up in the next month. 

On November 16th, it is Give to the Max day at GiveMN.org.  If you don't have a work place giving option at your business consider giving to the Minnesota Environmental Fund here. 

On December 8th, shop Ten Thousand Villages benefit night for the Minnesota Environmental Fund. Not only are there unique gifts for one and all, 20% of total sales that evening will benefit the Fund.
Don't forget anyone on your holiday shopping list. And one or two items for yourself. We won't tell.