Our Work
We implement in-community projects to improve environmental, economic, and public health outcomes.
Clean Air Assistance Project
Environmental Initiative, government agencies, and nonprofits connect small business owners with financial and technical resources to reduce air pollution.
Clean Air Minnesota
Air quality leaders are working to voluntarily reduce emissions from less regulated sources of air pollution like cars, trucks, small businesses, and residences.
Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Coalition
Environmental Initiative is working alongside BIPOC environmental justice leaders and mainstream environmental groups to build a more equitable and accessible pool of funding for communities to build capacity and address environmental challenges.
Environmental Initiative Awards
The Environmental Initiative 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.
Environmental Justice Coordinating Council
The Environmental Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) is a black and brown leadership base of environmental and social justice change-agents working cooperatively to understand and address environmental justice overburden in their communities.
Headwaters Agriculture Sustainability Partnership
The Headwaters Agriculture Sustainability Partnership incubates new ideas to help farmers make changes that will result in both economic and environmental benefits.
Midwest Row Crop Collaborative
Administered by Environmental Initiative, the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative designs, funds, and implements cutting-edge programs that demonstrate the benefits of regenerative agricultural practices.
Northside Safety NET
Environmental Initiative coordinates an environmental justice internship program for a cohort of North Minneapolis youth in partnership with public, private, and nonprofit partners.
Project Clean Air Repair
Environmental Initiative and partner car repair shops are reducing emissions by identifying and fixing vehicle exhaust systems in cars owned by people with lower incomes.
Project Green Fleet
Environmental Initiative partners with fleet owners and operators to upgrade older diesel vehicles and equipment with newer models that release fewer emissions.
Project Stove Swap
Project Stove Swap connects people with local stores selling wood stoves in order to exchange an inefficient wood stove for a new, cleaner-burning model.
Reach Farmers Faster
Environmental Initiative and Trust in Food partnered to engage farmers in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska to understand what encourages their interest in conservation agriculture. The Reach Farmers Faster playbook includes insights from our campaign and a step-by-step approach to guide future outreach efforts. Workshops and future research are being planned.
Soil Health Farm Tour
A self-guided tour highlights farmers in southeast Minnesota who are pursuing conservation practices on their operations. The goal is to showcase the benefits of these practices and encourage other farmers to seek out more information.
Source Water Protection Collaborative
The Source Water Protection Collaborative brings together individuals who have expertise in source water, public health, or community outreach and engagement to develop innovative ways to promote land use which protects our sources of drinking water.
Sustainable Growth Coalition
Nearly 20 businesses and organizations are harnessing their expertise and building the vision and action steps required to achieve a fully realized circular economy.