2025 Environmental Initiative Awards recap
In the past three decades, the Environmental Initiative Awards has allowed us to uplift over 200 environmental changemakers from communities, businesses, governments, and nonprofits. Each year, we invite leaders all around the state to share their stories with good food and help build a network of creative collaborators equally committed to social equity and environmental health.
However, 2025 marks a crucial turning point in the program. Different than recent years, this event highlighted past winners from 1998 to 2023, and each speaker shared what they’ve learned and appreciated about the Awards over the years.
The shift in format is reflective of a similar internal change. As a team, we’re exploring whether the event should evolve or continue in its current form. If you have ideas to help us reimagine the Awards in this current fundraising climate, we welcome your input!
Environmental Initiative remains proud to celebrate the work awardees are doing to create a more just, inclusive, and thriving world. Read about this year’s speakers below.
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs)
CERTs won their first Environmental Initiative Award in 2006, followed by wins in 2010, 2020, and 2022 for their work connecting Minnesotans statewide to the resources they need to identify and implement clean energy projects.
Flint Hills Resources
Flint Hills Resources won three Environmental Initiative Awards in 1998, 2005, and 2007 for their groundbreaking work bringing transparency to their environmental efforts, building community relationships, and administering large-scale heat and power projects.
Learn about their wins and commitments →
Jamez Staples
2023 Critical Collaborator Jamez Staples formed Renewable Energy Partners, one of the state’s only minority-owned and managed renewable energy companies, in 2013.
Learn more about Jamez and Renewable Energy Partners →
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Three-time winner in 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2023, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) work has helped supply hunger relief organizations with produce, improve water quality and soil health through climate-smart practices, and more
The Environmental Initiative Awards celebrates partnerships at the nexus of a healthy environment, a prosperous economy, and an equitable society. We work across differences to create space where people can openly exchange ideas and build solutions to complex environmental challenges through partnership. The Awards celebrates that spirit of collaboration.