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HAPPY EARTH MONTH! ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Happy Earth Month! April always feels like a period of renewal and regrowth. Sun flooding the skies with more light and warmth, buds forming and green starting to peek out of the ground, and a feeling of spring “reset” in the air. While we are so excited to spend more time outside in our gardens, we remind ourselves to exercise patience and allow time for hibernating pollinators to awaken before we pull our garden gloves on and get to work. In the meantime, we’re embracing Earth Month activations, volunteer opportunities, and events coming up in the next few weeks. Read on to learn more about them!
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+ the team: Angie Trygg, Anika Hager, and Jen Winslow |
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Eager to start your spring yard clean up? Consider the pollinators!
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It can be so tempting to get out in the yard on the first warm days of spring and start going to town on yard clean up. But before you start cutting down your perennials and mulching leaves, consider the hibernating pollinators inside them. Wintering critters like bees and insects are just starting to wake up from their long nap this time of year. The rule of thumb in Minnesota is to wait until we’ve had a full week of daytime temperatures above 50 degrees to tackle these tasks.
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Image courtesy of Indiana Native Plant Society |
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Event Recap:Native Sustainability returned as a sponsor of the 2026 RAM/SWANA Conference this spring, helping to support carbon offsets along with Sustainable Synergy Solutions through Green Cities Accord. NS & SSS, together and with a portion of funds donated through participant registrations, purchased the equivalent of 25 tons of CO2 to cover participant travel to the conference. We thank those who contributed to these donations!
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Following the RAM/SWANA Conference is a perfect time to highlight our client, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) MN/ND Chapter. Since 2019, we have worked with SWANA MN/ND to support their executive administration needs. From member communications to event reinforcement, we work with the Board of Directors to aid in SWANA MN/ND’s mission of advancing the practice of environmentally and economically sound management of municipal solid waste in North America.
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From our friends at Save the Boundary Waters: A bill overturning Boundary Waters protections is heading to the Senate floor. Urge your Senators to vote NO on HJ Res. 140! Update on March 12: The Senate still hasn’t voted on HJ Res. 140 — the terrible legislation that would open up the Boundary Waters watershed to toxic copper mining — this is good news for Canoe Country, for now. But the vote could come at any moment. When it’s scheduled, we typically get only 24–48 hours’ notice, and under the Congressional Review Act, the Senate has just 60 legislative days to act before the window closes at the end of April.
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What We’re Listening To 🎧
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Interested in diving into sustainability topics even further? Check out some of our current favorites:
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Image courtesy of MPR News |
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PAIKKA Sustainability Summit April 18, 2026 PAIKKA 550 Vandalia Street, Suite 165, Saint Paul, MN 55114 A full day of programming from over 25 local organizations designed to connect leaders, creators, and changemakers across sectors. While our region is rich with sustainability projects and initiatives, there is a clear need for visibility, knowledge-sharing, and a collective moment to celebrate the wins. The day will feature keynote speakers, repair cafés, panel discussions, nonprofit tabling, and immersive art installations. |
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Earth Day Cleanups with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board April 18th, 2026 Various parks around the city The Earth Day Cleanup is the largest community service event in Minneapolis, with over 40 clean-up sites across the city. Since its inception in 2008, more than 25,000 residents have come together to remove over 175,000 pounds of waste. |
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NS Earth Week Happy Hour April 23rd, 2026 Sea Salt Eatery 4801 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis MN 55417 Join Native Sustainability for our 2026 Earth Week Happy Hour Gathering! This is an opportunity for anyone working in climate related fields, or interested in what they can do to help. This will be an informal gathering of like-minded people working to make a difference |
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Spark Talks: Women Shaping our Sustainable Future April 29th, 2026 MOSAIC VENUE 817 5th Ave S #300, Minneapolis, MN 55404 The Women’s Environmental Network Annual Event. Learn from leaders in the environmental field and participate in open networking in a welcoming and authentic space. |
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Strib Unbound May 9, 2026 Theodore Wirth Park Trailhead 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis MN 55422 Celebrate the abundant natural resources and recreation opportunities available in Minnesota with Strib Unbound: Outdoor Adventure for All on Saturday, May 9th. |
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Voyageurs On Tap May 14, 2026 BANG BREWING 2320 Capp Rd, St Paul, MN 55114 Celebrating Minnesota’s National Park and Open Water Season
A relaxed evening of craft beer, environmental stewardship, meaningful fundraising, and shared appreciation of Minnesota’s national park. |
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Native Sustainability works with clients to creatively solve their most complex sustainability challenges. Learn more about us here. We also support individuals and consumers through education, tours, and resource connections for a more sustainable home and lifestyle. Until next time! Stay connected:
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