Environmental Initiative

?? How do we build a compelling case for sustainability and environmental justice in 2025? Join the Sustainable Growth Coalition for a virtual learning lab on how to communicate the value of sustainability—internally and externally. Featuring expert insights from: ? Noemí Jiménez (qb. consulting) ? John Mandyck (Urban Green Council) ? Steven Rochlin (Impact ROI) We’ll explore: ?? Strategies for building internal support. ?? Tools to speak externally about sustainability and environmental justice work. ?? What is keeping this work moving forward. ?? March 27 | 2:00-4:00 PM CT ?? Virtual (Zoom) Contact Britta Dornfeld at [email protected] if you’d like to attend.

Thrivent Choice can have a big impact on organizations like ours. Through this program, we are eligible to receive grant dollars, fee-free donations, and support from service projects. Members have until March 31 to direct their 2024 Choice Dollars; please consider directing them to Environmental Initiative! For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/grpu-zy. We sincerely appreciate your support.

?? New garage alert! Qualifying Minnesotans in the Grand Rapids area can now visit Wayne’s Automotive for low-to-no cost emissions system repairs through Project Clean Air Repair (CAR). Car repairs can be expensive, and car owners often have to choose what to prioritize when they bring their vehicle in for maintenance. This means emissions system issues frequently go unaddressed, leading to higher levels of pollution. Project CAR works with garages to address these issues for vehicle owners and eliminate the need to choose between reliable transportation and cleaner air. Learn more about Project CAR and find a garage near you: https://lnkd.in/g95_BMKH

Today, we’re celebrating National Agriculture Day by highlighting some of the work we’ve done over the past year: ? Reach Farmers Faster trained 175 agriculture professionals, impacting over 450,000 acres by providing tools for meaningful farmer engagement on regenerative agriculture. ? The Midwest Row Crop Collaborative’s (MRCC) biofuels learning sessions brought together experts to discuss how we can improve sustainability in farm feedstock production. ? MRCC completed a crop diversification landscape scan to explore how to best support corporate members to consider ingredient switching. They identified three promising crops and a region of focus for future work. ? Environmental Initiative’s work with the World Wildlife Fund and the Science Based Targets Network engaged stakeholders in agribusiness, the food and beverage industry, and retail to understand corporate motivations and barriers to freshwater stewardship in the Mississippi River Basin. Progress happens when we work together. Let’s keep pushing for a thriving, resilient future in agriculture! ????

"We recognize that differences in politics, identity, and worldview feel increasingly unbridgeable in these times. We recognize that reaching across the divide can feel unwise or even dangerous. The core purpose of our organization is to fight separation and to reverse division, and that work is most needed precisely when it is hardest to do." Board chair Halston Sleets and executive director Michael Harley share how we're staying true to our mission and our values during these uncertain times. https://lnkd.in/g4xvUZvb

Thank you to our featured member this month, Goff Public. We are grateful for their support of our clean air work. Learn more about Goff Public → https://goffpublic.com/

We are thrilled to share that our long-time Project Clean Air Repair partner garage, Cars for Neighbors, recently completed their 300th emissions system repair. Together, we’re improving air quality and keeping Minnesotans on the road. Here’s to 300 more!?

Corporations across sectors are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint and broader impact. As part of their work in sustainable commodities, the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative (MRCC) is exploring how biofuels can be produced in a way that maximizes environmental benefits. Visit https://ow.ly/PojK50VcYvc to read about MRCC members' findings, including: - Drivers of investment in biofuels. - Sustainable aviation fuel as the next major challenge. - Qualities of a robust viability and procurement framework.

Last year, the Sustainable Growth Coalition deepened its commitment to an equitable and circular economy, creating opportunities for members to connect, learn, and take action. From bold commitments to meaningful action, 2024 was a year of progress toward a more just and resilient future. Read the full recap and see what’s ahead for 2025: ?? https://lnkd.in/gzURKyGw #SustainableGrowth #SustainabilityLeadership #CollaborationForChange

Today, we're reminiscing on our Illinois road trip! Earlier this month, our Reach Farmers Faster team traveled to Effingham, Bloomington, and DeKalb to lead workshops on designing data-informed producer engagement with Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership. We enjoyed learning about everyone's work and sharing meals as we dove into ways each group could refine their communications strategy. Looking forward to seeing what new, exciting ideas follow in the next few months.