Longfellow Nokomis Messenger

A mosquito-control technician sprays a mixture including insecticides in a yard in Michigan.

How does the EPA know a pesticide is safe to use in my yard?

Federal regulations govern which pesticides can be used and give specific directions for applying them. Ignoring those directions is a violation of federal law.

MN Lakes and Rivers launches “City of Lake Stewards” pilot on Lake Harriet

MN Lakes and Rivers is proud to announce the launch of a new pilot initiative, the City of Lake Stewards program, debuting on Lake Harriet in the summer of 2025. Drawing from the success of the …

n early 2025, the Twin Cities area experienced precipitation totals near the driest year on record. However, the year's to-date precipitation total is now near normal, following rainfall throughout March and April.

WINTER 2025 ENDED WITH A SNOWFALL DEFICIT THAT REINTRODUCED DRY CONDITIONS

As of May 2, 2025, the Twin Cities has received approximately 6 inches of precipitation , which is near normal for this time of year, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Nearly half of …

DUAL BENEFIT

Minneapolis will soon be able to produce its own biochar, bringing the city one step closer to its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. This spring, the city will break ground on a new biochar …

Tangletown resident Leah Sweet Slicker worked with both the Blaisdell YMCA and Burroughs Elementary School – where her children attended – to obtain new recycling containers with better signage. She also volunteered with the University of Minnesota’s Pack and Give Back program, which encourages students to donate rather than throw away unwanted items when they’re moving out at the end of the semester, helping to sort those items.

Community ambassadors advocate for recycling, composting

Have you ever been frustrated seeing recyclable or compostable items in the trash bin? Or maybe you yourself have hesitated over whether an item can be recycled or not. Those feelings are what led …

Hiawatha Links update: Survey responses, open house summary and upcoming FAQ

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is working on "Hiawatha Links," a new phase of design and engineering work that will build on the long-term plan for Hiawatha Golf Course completed in 2022. …

Will we eventually have to send our trash into space if we run out of room on Earth?

Humans generate a lot of trash, but there are cheaper and safer ways to handle it than loading it on rockets.

Why does the Earth spin?

An astronomer takes us on a tour of the universe to learn about the birth of stars and planets and how they get their spin.

Why do we use gasoline for small vehicles and diesel fuel for big vehicles?

Both gasoline and diesel fuel are refined from crude oil, but they are good for different things and can’t be used interchangeably.

Dragonflies, just like bees and butterflies, face threats that humans can help prevent. Christopher Halsch

Humans are killing helpful insects in hundreds of ways − simple steps can reduce the harm

Insects are often under pressure from several threats at once, from pesticides to habitat loss to pollution.

Conservation group lawsuit seeks to speed listing of Alaska king salmon under Endangered Species Act

A Washington state-based conservation group filed a lawsuit this week in an effort to speed up the federal government’s review of a proposal to list king salmon as threatened or endangered across the Gulf of Alaska. The Wild Fish Conservancy filed its lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., saying that the National […]

Bees, fish and plants show how climate change’s accelerating pace is disrupting nature in 2 key ways

Monarch butterflies migrate each year and rely on plants blooming along their path to provide food.
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Fast-rising temperatures can change how plants and animals behave and disrupt the delicate timing of pollination.

3 expert ways to safely reduce allergens inside your home this allergy season

(BPT) - Spring has officially sprung, but just as April showers bring May flowers, these warmer months also herald the start of peak allergy season. If you are someone who has asthma or suffers from …

What you need to know before becoming a collector of live insects or snails

(BPT) - Insects and snails are a critical part of the planet's ecosystem. Bees, for example, pollinate important crops and provide high-quality food like honey, while snails feed on dead or rotting …

25 years of Everglades restoration has improved drinking water for millions in Florida, but a new risk is rising

The Everglades has often been referred to as a vast river of grass.

Changes to the landscape and pollution have harmed this vital ecosystem known as the ‘river of grass.’

Making Your Energy Choices Count this Earth Day

You can save yourself some money while you help save the planet this Earth Day.

(NAPSI)—This year is the 55th anniversary of Earth Day—an excellent reason to consider ways you can make a difference, not just for the environment, but for yourself, your home, and your family. …

The Arbor Day Foundation launches the largest corporate tree distribution program in its history

(BPT) - Trees are vital to our communities, both now and in the future. Each year, we lose 36 million trees due to age, disease, pests and severe weather. That's why it is essential to plant mature …

Employees sort crickets by size at a farm in Thailand.

Insects are everywhere in farming and research − but insect welfare is just catching up

There’s no single, simple way to assess whether bugs feel pain, but research is giving scientists a better understanding of their abilities.

Environmental Protection Agency employees and others protest the Trump administration’s actions involving the agency on March 25, 2025, in Philadelphia.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke

EPA must use the best available science − by law − but what does that mean?

The Trump administration’s job cuts and advisory board changes at the agency won’t change those rules, as a former EPA science adviser explains.

5 ways to enhance your outdoor living experience

(BPT) - There's nothing quite like spending time in your outdoor space. You can enjoy fresh air and sunshine — or evening breezes — while basking in the comfort of being at home. This …

Why sizzling cities are mapping hot spots street by street

Knowable Magazine reports on how in metros like Reno, Nevada, citizen scientists hit the road to collect detailed temperature data—key to taming urban heat, saving lives and designing for a warmer future.

How electrification can help make your home more sustainable

(BPT) - Is creating a more energy-efficient, sustainable home important to you? If so, you'll be glad to know that it's possible to make your home more sustainable, while also helping you save money, …