John Tuma’s Capitol Update – Summer Edition, August 26, 2010

“May her memory save us from all pettiness, all unworthy ambition, all narrowness of vision, all mean and sordid aims… so may there be none in us, as she fought ever, without malice and without hatred, so may we fight.”

- The plaque in the Capitol Rotunda memorializing Mrs. Andreas Ueland, 1860-1927

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Over a year and a half ago, Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment and now it’s beginning to bear fruit.

The community of Winona is holding a first-of-its-kind Legacy Weekend featuring programs and events made possible by the Amendment.  Some of the events are associated with conservation and environmental funding from the Amendment, some with arts and cultural heritage funding. A full schedule of events is at the link.  Other communities are encouraged to plan Legacy Weekends.

St. Paul is also seeing results from the Amendment.  Here’s a breakdown.

Conservation Minnesota is fortunate to be hosting five of Minnesota’s conservation and environmental All-Stars this week as they remember Earth Day 1970.  Thanks to the coordinating efforts of another All-Star, John Helland, we are posting memories and reflections by Chuck Dayton, Bob Dunn, Martha Brand, Grant Merritt and Darby Nelson this week.  It’s worth checking them out; they have tremendous insight.

This was no April Fool’s joke.  On April 1, 2010, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy Communications Director Chuck Laszewski not only authored an essay about bicycling down the Mississippi River for Conservation Minnesota, but also tapped one out for Minnesota Public Radio extolling the glories of outdoor baseball in Target Field.  Thanks and congratulations, Chuck.

John Tuma’s Capitol Update – March 12, 2010

“Charge those lines!”
- General Winfield Scott Hancock, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863

That was the command given to Colonel Colvill of the Minnesota 1st in the midst of the second day of fighting outside of the previously unknown and sleepy hamlet of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Colvill, along with only a portion of the famed Minnesota 1st Regiment of 262 men, had just arrived on the battlefield after an arduous 20-mile march toward the sound of the developing battle.  Upon their arrival on the scene, Union forces were in chaos along the soon to become hallowed grounds known as Cemetery Ridge south of Gettysburg.  Sixteen hundred Confederates from Alabama, under the command of Gen. Cadmus Wilcox, moving quickly to take the high ground along this important place on the battlefield. (more…)

A 2009 Congressional conservation scorecard released today shows Minnesota members were all over the map on key clean energy, clean water and land protection votes.  To find out more, go to the Conservation Minnesota site and follow links.

The time to sweep our beaches is upon us once again. Join in the 13th Annual Minnesota Beach Sweep 2009, a community event that runs from September 1 through October 31.

Minnesota Beach Sweep started 13 years ago when Great Lakes Aquarium partnered with Ocean Conservancy for the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC). The ICC is the oldest running cleanup efforts of its kind and involves 123 countries around the globe. Focused on removing man-made debris from coastline of all kinds, ICC volunteers also collect data about the debris they gather. This data becomes part of the global database and is used to enhance efforts to protect and restore global waterways. This year, Great Lakes Aquarium has also partnered with Conservation Minnesota for the 13th Annual Minnesota Beach Sweep 2009. (more…)

By Rachel Wilf, MEP Civic Engagement Project Intern

On June 13th I traveled in a minivan for four and a half hours through the rolling hills of northern Minnesota. The destination? The White Earth Pow Wow in White Earth, MN. The goal of the MEP field team? Register 40 voters for the upcoming election. (more…)