Minnesota Nature Conservation, Environment Issues

Minnesota

Protecting Our Lands and Waters

What we do on the land has an impact on the health of our waters.

The Nature Conservancy's Lake Alexander Nature Preserve © Garth Fuller /TNC

We’ve been working to protect Minnesota’s lands and waters since 1958 for nature and for people. Since 1958, The Nature Conservancy has helped protect more than 650,000 acres of forests, prairies, rivers, lakes and wetlands in Minnesota.

Enjoy some of our favorite conservation stories! Or visit one of our preserves!

Our Work in Minnesota

Learn more about how we are protecting Minnesota for nature and people. We also have a new study on the long-term effect of deer on Minnesota's forests!

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Training for a marathon © Erika Nortemann

Run for the River

Help us Protect Minnesota's Lakes and Rivers.

Kayaking the Mississippi © Erika Nortemann/TNC

Get Out!

Please join us for our field trips this spring and summer

Sanajayn © Lonnie Duberstein

Sanjayan is Coming!

Our Lead Scientist to Speak at the University of Minnesota.

Water quality monitoring on the Mississippi River © Erika Nortemann

Science Guides Our Work

Take a look at what we're doing and meet our scientists

Juvenile lake sturgeon © Eric Engbretson

Lake Sturgeon

Ancient fish makes a big comeback

Tree planting in the Minnesota's Upper Manitou Forest Tree planting in the Minnesota's Upper Manitou Forest © Coldsnap Photography

Restoring the Northwoods

Discover how we help keep Minnesota's forests healthy and diverse

Restoring America's Heartland Takes Heart © TNC

Restoring America's Heartland Takes Heart

Discover who’s helping in Minnesota.

Flooding in the Mississippi River System © David Lee

Mississippi River Flooding

The Conservancy is committed to helping develop a long-term vision for the Mississippi watershed that continues to improve our ability to manage floods and solve other challenges.

The Nature Conservancy is working with farmers and other landowners to improve water quality and wildlife habitat not only in the Root River in southeast Minnesota but elsewhere in the Mississippi River Basin. in the Mississippi River basin and along tributaries like the Root River on pilot projects that aim to sustain crop yields while improving the quality and ecological health of the basin's watersheds. © Mark Godrey/TNC

Root River

We're working with farmers to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.

Clough Island © Richard Hamilton Smith

Clough Island

See a slide show of this landmark island located near Duluth.

Upper Mississippi Forest Project © Richard Hamilton Smith

Upper Mississippi Forest

Explore Minnesota's largest-ever conservation project.

Where's Your Water Come From? [VIDEO_THUMB]

Where's Your Water Come From Minnesota? © TNC

Where Does Your Water Come From?

Most people get our drinking water from lakes and rivers.

Greater prairie chicken male on booming ground in Osage County of Oklahoma in United States, North America. Harvey Payne

Prairie Chickens

Watch an ex-linebacker tackle a prairie chicken.

Our work in Minnesota

Learn more about how we are protecting Minnesota for nature and people.

Places We Protect Visit one of the many preserves we've protected in Minnesota.	Ways of Giving You can help us make a difference in Minnesota.
Volunteer Share your love of the outdoors and volunteer for us in Minnesota.	Contact Us Learn more about the Conservancy in Minnesota.