Outdoors

Environment

Outdoors

How to track the secret lives of Minnesota’s wintering animals

Free Forest School director Anna Sharratt brought her program to Dowling Elementary School in September where she regularly encourages first graders to discover and explore outside as part of their learning. Here, Sharratt pointed to animal tracks in the snow as first graders in Bejay Johnson's class at Dowling learned to identify the animals leaving behind the tracks Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, Minneapolis, MN.] DAVID JOLES � david.joles@startribune.com Free Forest School of Minnesota is bucking inst

Fresh tracks in the snow give sleuths insight into how animals survive extreme temperatures, including where they eat and where they go to stay warm.

Outdoors

Anderson: Pheasants, ducks, butterflies: Their chances — and yours — improve 80 acres at a time

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Dennis Anderson
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Environment

Xcel said a nearly $8M land sale was a good deal for ratepayers. The buyer flipped the land to Amazon for $73M.

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Most Read

Fried chicken is a big draw at Revival in south Minneapolis, which doesn't take reservations. At dinner on a Saturday, a two-hour wait is typical.

Eat & Drink

Revival abruptly closes all restaurant locations

Retail

St. Paul banker charged with goosing profits on Duck Donuts franchises, swindling buyer

Twin Cities

Metro school districts cancel classes Tuesday

FILE - In this April 29, 1999, file photo, American Indian activist Leonard Peltier speaks during an interview at the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan. President Barack Obama has denied a clemency request by Peltier, who has spent most of his life in prison in the killing of two FBI agents in South Dakota in 1975. Peltier's attorney, Martin Garbus, says they received a letter from the White House on Wednesday Jan. 18, 2017 saying their application has been denied. (Joe Ledford/The Kansas Ci

Politics

Biden commutes Leonard Peltier’s sentence to home confinement in 1975 killing of FBI agents

More from Environment

Environment

Use of PFAS-tainted sludge as fertilizer raises cancer risk on farms, EPA says

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says new information will inform state’s plan to manage farm contamination.
January 16, 2025
Metropolitan Council biosolids from its Empire wastewater plant were spread on a 100 acre harvested corn field.] DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.com Human waste becomes manure for cropland twice a year, when the Metropolitan Council sends biosolids from its Empire wastewater plant to nearby farms and was seen Wednesday, Nov, 20, 2019, in Farmington, MN. The plant will soon undergo $23 million in upgrades, such as expanding the pad where human waste is stored outside to dry.
Environment

Divided Minnesota? Not when it comes to outdoors and lottery money.

Voters set a record in passing a ballot measure dedicating lottery money to the outdoors, sailing in all 87 counties.
January 15, 2025
Twin Cities Suburbs

New Brighton considers funding cleanup, development of contaminated dump site

After years of adding corporate headquarters and housing to the area near Interstates 694 and 35W, one piece of land remains empty due to environmental issues.
January 14, 2025
Outdoors

When temperatures plummet, look for these spectacular sky views

Ice crystals forming in the air in Minnesota’s low temperatures can provide beautiful displays.
January 13, 2025
Environment

Mega data centers are coming to Minnesota. Their power needs are staggering.

With at least 10 planned, these Big Tech projects could consume as much electricity as every home in Minnesota.
January 10, 2025
Environment

Minnesota dealers left with unsellable youth ATVs and dirt bikes because of PFAS ban

Honda alerted showrooms about the new Minnesota law less than two weeks before it took effect. Yamaha sent out a notification after it started.
January 10, 2025
Youthful riders wearing protective gear, lined up in groups that were assigned to various stations at a DNR ATV training course. Stations included obstacle courses, classroom training and more.] JIM GEHRZ ï jgehrz@startribune.com / Farmington, MN 6/28, 2014 / 9:00 AM / BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Minnesota DNR conducted a training class for ATV riders, particularly aimed at younger riders at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington. Jay Peterson was among the instructors. This is hands o
Environment

Cookware association sues Minnesota over PFAS ban, calling it unconstitutional

A federal suit says Minnesota’s sweeping “forever chemical” prohibitions violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
January 7, 2025
A label states that these pans do not contain PFAS, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Environment

Minnesota regulators hit pause on controversial gas pipeline near Pipestone National Monument

The state Public Utilities Commission ordered cultural and archeological inventories along two potential routes following tribal criticism of a route permit granted several months ago.
January 7, 2025
Outdoor Activities

Where to see Minnesota’s coolest natural ice formations this winter

This Week in Nature: Various forms of ice, including some shaped like pancakes and some like shards of broken glass, can be found around the state.
January 6, 2025
Small Business

Ramstad: Eric Dayton’s new venture takes up where Askov Finlayson left off

After a decade in environmentally minded retail, Dayton’s new firm helps businesses comply with sustainability goals and rules.
AuthoredEvan Ramstad
January 4, 2025
Retail

How to adapt your buying habits as Minnesota’s PFAS ban begins

Learn to live without the convenient yet toxic chemicals found in much cookware, kids clothing, cosmetics and other products.
December 30, 2024
Greater Minnesota

DNR to conduct aerial elk surveys in northwestern Minnesota

The goal is to monitor elk populations for future management and harvest decisions.
December 28, 2024
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