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 benefit in hopes of raising money to protect the surroundings The goal Raise more than to protect Minnesota s land water and wildlife and spark action on urgent issues like situation change polluted lakes and disappearing pollinators organizers declared The One Day One Earth One Minnesota collaboration will raise funds to protect Minnesota s natural information while also addressing the state s the bulk urgent environmental challenges like context change water contamination 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 residents funding with fresh federal cuts widening the gap they stated in a news release Friday This initiative empowers individuals to step up take action and drive meaningful change Every donation will directly patronage critical on-the-ground efforts across the state including ecological restoration habitat protection area engagement and environment resilience organizers revealed Proud to participate Members of the participating organizations all announced 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 stated 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 newest cuts in leadership 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 declared Patricia Ohmans founder and director of Frogtown Green Not only will this campaign raise much-needed funds to continue our vital work in environmental restoration but it also demonstrates our commitment to working together to improve green spaces for the future of all Minnesotans explained 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 mentioned I thought Yes that s exactly what this moment necessities ' She commented 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 mentioned that every step taken in nature can be an act of transformation not only personal but also collective Stronger together All of the organizations stated they believe strength is in numbers We believe everyone deserves clean air land and water and we won t get there alone Society 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 disclosed Laura Scholl executive director of Metro Blooms Participating organizations include Environmental Initiative The Minneapolis organization brings people from communities businesses nonprofits and establishment together to solve environmental problems They do this by Convening and facilitating conversations on environmental issues where collaboration is needed most of planning and hosting events for people to setup 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 citizens and private landowners local governments and concerned public 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 atmosphere resilience through planning land protection and natural guidance 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 soundness 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 district 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 administration nonprofits business owners artists elders renters youth and people preponderance impacted by environmental injustices Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy The St Paul and Duluth-based organization explained it uses law and science to protect Minnesota s ecosystem its natural guidance and the wellbeing of its people For years we ve worked in the courts at the Legislature and with citizens agencies to enact strengthen and enforce smart environmental law We work in solidarity with communities to protect the surroundings especially where people are disproportionately impacted by corruption 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 context situation 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 teaching 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 advancement 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 commented 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 Schools lined up for help getting cleaner school buses Then came the EPA freeze Trump s new strength order puts states environment laws in the crosshairs of the Department of Justice Setting disasters are on the rise These states want to make oil companies pay Wild weather expected across Midwest South gets a rare high-risk designation the greater part severe category Can we stop plastics from seeping into farm fields food and eventually human bodies How to help To donate to the One Day One Earth One Minnesota benefit event go to givemn org organization Earth-Day-Collaborative