Implementing strategies for our natural and working lands
Minnesota’s varied landscapes — croplands, pastures, forests, prairies, wetlands, and our more than 10,000 lakes — are part of our identity. They are also an essential part of our climate solution.
An acre of grassland can hold as much as 78 tons of carbon while an acre of mature evergreen forest can hold as much as 140 tons of carbon. And suburban trees, gardens and lawns can also provide climate mitigation and resiliency benefits. In 2021, the Walz-Flanagan Administration secured valuable funding for incentivizing planting 12 million tree seedlings on public and private lands by 2025. The legislature also provided funds to add 20,000 acres of cover crops that will improve soil health.
Possible goals
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Increase the amount of carbon sequestered in natural and working lands by 25% through restoration, enhancement, and deploying carbon smart practices | Enhance biological diversity and protect habitat corridors on 350,000 acres of natural and working lands to help those systems adapt to the changing climate |
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There are many different ways we can reduce greenhouse gases and improve the resiliency of our natural and working lands. We need your ideas and input on the best solutions for Minnesota.
To participate:
- Add one idea at a time, but submit as many times as you want. Enter a short description for each idea you add.
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View All Ideasabout 2 months ago
Increase Engagement with Farmers, Homeowners and Communities to Protect our Fresh Water Ecosystems
Increase awareness of the benefits of wetlands and buffer zones for water quality improvement and increase CRP program engagement to convert previously drain-tiled wetlands back to their natural intended resources in a way that’s beneficial to both the farmers and communities. Increase lake property homeowner awareness of importance of buffer zones along shoreline and provide incentives for homeowners to implement natural buffers to reduce the rate of eutrophication in our metro and rural lakes. Continue invasive species work and reduce non-point and point source run-off of Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Total Suspended Solids into our water resources.
3 months ago
Turn public lawns into vegetable gardens and orchards
We have so many public green spaces that could be used for growing food instead of grass. We could have community food gardens in abundance. Instead of mowing grass lawns city workers and community members could spend time growing accessible fresh free food for everyone. Seed saving programs for next year’s crop could be promoted, and seed exchanges should be in all libraries.
29 days ago
Achieve statewide net zero emissions livestock production.
Set the goal and set others in motion to do the work. Targeted outcomes include positive effect on climate, maintain consumer confidence in Minnesota livestock industry such that is continues to be competitive now and in the future, industry criterion. Partners include UMN, PCA, BWSR, USDA NRCS, Land O'Lakes Truterra platform, MN Beef Council, MN Pork Producers Association, Minnesota Milk Producers Association. Leverage partners existing commitments to net zero emissions, their previous frameworks, their staff and funding, to achieve it. Pathway to Climate Neutrality for U.S. Beef and Dairy Cattle Production-Place/Mitloehner 2021. Land O'Lakes, Inc. unveils Dairy 2025 commitments-2021.
3 months ago
Protect Minnesota Waterways
Two proposed Copper-Sulfide mines by Twin Metals and PolyMet are threatening the toxic contamination of some of the cleanest waters in Minnesota and the nation. Pollution from Copper-sulfide mining is impossible to avoid and could contaminate Minnesota waterways including the Boundary Waters and Lake Superior for thousands of years. Not to mention, greenhouse gas emissions from both mines would spew upwards of 1.9 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year, equivalent to 372,000 passenger cars. These mines would also include the destruction of over a 1,000 acres of wetland which two-thirds of is peat-land which acts as a carbon-sink and could release 4.3 million metric tons of Green house gases. Allowing these two mines to go ahead with their proposed projects would be directly against current climate goals for the state of MN and the world, and put drinking water for the state at risk which are active violations of Human Rights. We should put into place common-sense Prove-It First Legislation and move forward with permanently protecting The Boundary Waters and other important water ways for generations to come.
9 days ago
Protect high diversity lands and waters from development and pollution. Enforce water quality standards. Reject polluting sulfide mining
Protect our lands and waters from toxic pollution
