As Halloween approaches, many of us are excited about the spooky decorations, creative costumes, and the joy of trick-or-treating. But with all the fun comes a surge in waste—whether it’s plastic candy wrappers, cheap costumes that get thrown out, or even the pollution from extra driving. Here are five easy ways to make your Halloween…
Thanks to new federal tax credits, using solar panels to power our homes, businesses, and other buildings has become more attractive than ever. These tax credits are available to communities looking to install solar to reduce energy costs and be more sustainable, and rebate and grant programs can further reduce the cost. Want to…
As summer comes to a close and sports are back in session, it’s time to think about how students are getting to school. The bright yellow school buses will pick up students, and the drop-off and pick-up lines will be full, but how many students walk or bike to school this year? Walking and biking…
Cutting between Minnesota and North Dakota, the Red River of the North provides communities with a way to connect with nature. The River Keepers of Fargo-Moorhead advocate for safe and sustainable use of the Red River, ensuring its continued enjoyment for years to come. I talked with Christine Holland, the Executive Director, about River Keepers’…
West Central Initiative welcomes Ben Schierer as Director of Civic Partnerships and Griffin Peck as Climate Resilience Officer, bolstering the organization’s regional development work. Schierer will engage with government entities, communities, and organizations to foster strong public-sector partnerships and advocate for regional needs at legislative levels. Peck will spearhead efforts to help communities adapt to…
A farmers market gives a community an opportunity to shop locally, supporting local food and goods. The new Prairie Farmers Market in Parkers Prairie offers fresh produce, meats, breads, preserves, flowers, crafts, and more. The market is held on Fridays from 3-6 p.m. from June to October at City Park in Parkers Prairie. Meghan Jahnke,…
The increased prevalence of extreme weather in the region brings about the need for a deeper understanding of emergency preparedness measures. I spoke with Julie Anderson, Douglas County’s Emergency Management Director and Public Information Officer, about the new Preparedness Pal program. Having a reliable person outside of your household during an emergency is crucial. A…
It’s one o’clock on an April Tuesday afternoon in Vergas, and local Lions Club members gather in a neighborhood garage. It’s a party-like atmosphere, laughing, chatting, as a dozen Lions grab bulging plastic garbage bags from truck beds and car trunks that just arrived, walking them into the garage where they toss them onto a…
Native grassland habitats are some of the most endangered in North America according to the University of Minnesota. Less than 1% of the original tallgrass prairies remain. To combat some of this habitat loss, planting native grass and restoring parts of west central Minnesota’s prairie has become a popular choice among home and landowners. Windflower…
End of content
End of content
