Electric vehicles accounted for about 6% of new cars sold in the state last year, according to the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association.
![Free Forest School director Anna Sharratt brought her program to Dowling Elementary School in September where she regularly encourages first graders to discover and explore outside as part of their learning. Here, Sharratt pointed to animal tracks in the snow as first graders in Bejay Johnson's class at Dowling learned to identify the animals leaving behind the tracks Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, Minneapolis, MN.] DAVID JOLES � david.joles@startribune.com Free Forest School of Minnesota is bucking inst](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/WYKBYQJES5E2ME5QTJCUVF7Z24.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
More from Environment
Outdoors
Anderson: Pheasants, ducks, butterflies: Their chances — and yours — improve 80 acres at a time
Ducks Unlimited and other groups help the Minnesota DNR acquire conservation lands with Legacy Act money.
AuthoredDennis Anderson
AuthoredDennis AndersonJanuary 17, 2025
Environment
Xcel said a nearly $8M land sale was a good deal for ratepayers. The buyer flipped the land to Amazon for $73M.
Minnesota utility regulators say they didn’t know the buyer’s intentions when they approved the deal.
January 17, 2025
Environment![Metropolitan Council biosolids from its Empire wastewater plant were spread on a 100 acre harvested corn field.] DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.com Human waste becomes manure for cropland twice a year, when the Metropolitan Council sends biosolids from its Empire wastewater plant to nearby farms and was seen Wednesday, Nov, 20, 2019, in Farmington, MN. The plant will soon undergo $23 million in upgrades, such as expanding the pad where human waste is stored outside to dry.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XYVFZQ2CIDUQGLKNASJSZPJIEI.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Use of PFAS-tainted sludge as fertilizer raises cancer risk on farms, EPA says
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says new information will inform state’s plan to manage farm contamination.
January 16, 2025
Environment
Divided Minnesota? Not when it comes to outdoors and lottery money.
Voters set a record in passing a ballot measure dedicating lottery money to the outdoors, sailing in all 87 counties.
January 15, 2025
Twin Cities Suburbs
New Brighton considers funding cleanup, development of contaminated dump site
After years of adding corporate headquarters and housing to the area near Interstates 694 and 35W, one piece of land remains empty due to environmental issues.
January 14, 2025
Outdoors
When temperatures plummet, look for these spectacular sky views
Ice crystals forming in the air in Minnesota’s low temperatures can provide beautiful displays.
January 13, 2025
Environment
Mega data centers are coming to Minnesota. Their power needs are staggering.
With at least 10 planned, these Big Tech projects could consume as much electricity as every home in Minnesota.
January 10, 2025
Environment![Youthful riders wearing protective gear, lined up in groups that were assigned to various stations at a DNR ATV training course. Stations included obstacle courses, classroom training and more.] JIM GEHRZ ï jgehrz@startribune.com / Farmington, MN 6/28, 2014 / 9:00 AM / BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Minnesota DNR conducted a training class for ATV riders, particularly aimed at younger riders at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington. Jay Peterson was among the instructors. This is hands o](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LSKOQCVUO2OQPOZCCMQKJXWUQA.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Minnesota dealers left with unsellable youth ATVs and dirt bikes because of PFAS ban
Honda alerted showrooms about the new Minnesota law less than two weeks before it took effect. Yamaha sent out a notification after it started.
January 10, 2025
Environment
Cookware association sues Minnesota over PFAS ban, calling it unconstitutional
A federal suit says Minnesota’s sweeping “forever chemical” prohibitions violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
January 7, 2025
Environment
Minnesota regulators hit pause on controversial gas pipeline near Pipestone National Monument
The state Public Utilities Commission ordered cultural and archeological inventories along two potential routes following tribal criticism of a route permit granted several months ago.
January 7, 2025
Outdoor Activities
Where to see Minnesota’s coolest natural ice formations this winter
This Week in Nature: Various forms of ice, including some shaped like pancakes and some like shards of broken glass, can be found around the state.
January 6, 2025
Small Business
Ramstad: Eric Dayton’s new venture takes up where Askov Finlayson left off
After a decade in environmentally minded retail, Dayton’s new firm helps businesses comply with sustainability goals and rules.
AuthoredEvan Ramstad
AuthoredEvan RamstadJanuary 4, 2025