Services
Let’s problem-solve for the environment together! We create safe spaces for learning, discussion, and action, and manage projects that improve our air, land, and water. By focusing on collaboration where it’s most needed, we can achieve solutions that are more equitable and long-lasting.
Explore our menu of services and our mission, vision, and values to tackle environmental issues collaboratively. Have a project idea or a question? Contact us today to start a conversation.
Coalitions & Partnerships
We convene, facilitate, and activate groups with diverse perspectives to learn, discuss, problem-solve, and work towards shared environmental outcomes.
Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF)
Environmental Initiative and Rainbow Research convene a coalition of BIPOC environmental leaders and organizations advocating for a new community grants program. The group aims to reduce barriers to the traditional ENRTF funding process so all Minnesotans can access stable funds to build capacity and address environmental challenges.
Clean Air Minnesota (CAM)
CAM is a coalition of air quality leaders working voluntarily and proactively to reduce fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone. Convened by Environmental Initiative, they identify strategies to reduce air pollution, develop and implement projects to improve air quality, and track emissions reductions outcomes to share with the wider community.
Engagement, Outreach & Communications
We design and implement strategic and culturally relevant engagement, outreach, and communications activities to connect with key audiences in ways that inspire action and foster connection. We can help design and implement communications plans, events, workshops, to build capacity, gather input, and facilitate behavior change.
Reach Farmers Faster
In partnership with Trust In Food™, Environmental Initiative designed an online tool to support the conservation community in designing farmer engagement strategies and tactics. Our interactive workshops take attendees through a step-by-step process for building practical communication competencies and increasing producers’ readiness for practice change. Learn more about Reach Farmers Faster.
Environmental Initiative Awards
The Awards is our annual recognition program that celebrates people and projects working in partnership at the nexus of a healthy environment, a prosperous economy, and an equitable society. We bring together community members, organization partners, and those new to our work to honor winners and build connections.
Feasibility & Scoping
We can work upstream of a project idea or potential partnership to conduct landscape scans, interviews, surveys, focus groups, and desktop research to design the best approach or way forward.
Corporate water stewardship
Environmental Initiative conducted in-depth interviews and background research with six corporations operating within the Mississippi River Basin to identify barriers, motivations, and readiness for freshwater target setting. Work was completed in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and Science Based Targets Network (SBTN). Read more about this work.
Forever Green Partnership
Environmental Initiative and Embody Deep Democracy conducted interviews and small group discussions with BIPOC producers, nonprofit partners, researchers, and state agency staff to understand justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Forever Green Partnership. A report was prepared with recommendations to further embed equity in Forever Green’s efforts to develop and improve winter-hardy crops.
Project Management
Environmental Initiative designs, manages, and scales projects to deliver measurable environmental results.
Project Clean Air Repair (CAR)
Project CAR is designed to assist qualified clients with free vehicle emissions control repairs to support those in need and reduce air pollution. Since 2017, we have had eight participating partner garages, repaired over 808 cars, and reduced over 44 tons of emissions.
Project Stove Swap
In partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, local vendors, manufacturers, and community partners, Project Stove Swap helps replace old, inefficient wood-burning appliances with newer, lower-emitting models. Since 2017, we have worked with 18 small businesses, replaced over 478 stoves, and generated over $2 million in local economic activity.