The ESI Youth Advisory Council's first year

The most recent expansion of our Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) is a youth-led council that explores pathways to environmental leadership at FMR and in the larger Twin Cities community through the school year. Here's what the 2022-2023 founding members have been up to, including their first public event earlier this month. >>
Apply to be a 2022 ESI mentor

FMR is searching for qualified mentors for our Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI), our summer program for high school-aged youth. Both STEM and arts professionals are encouraged to apply. >>
Thanks to our summer 2021 Environmental Stewardship Institute assistants

Putting on an 8-week program for the next generation of environmental leaders is a lot of work, and this year, former fellows Naomi and Justine stepped up to help us plan and facilitate. Our assistants reflect on how FMR's summer program has evolved and share insights on their experience as environmental leaders in the program. >>
2021 Environmental Stewardship Institute

FMR's third year of the Environmental Stewardship Institute, themed Resilient Waters: Building Community and Connection, wrapped up with spectacular projects from our high school-aged fellows — everything from comic books to interactive websites on topics ranging from composting to pollinators. >>
2021 ESI guest post: Balloons and the environment

Environmental Stewardship Institute fellow Brenda drew a cautionary tale to show the impact stray balloons can have on wildlife. >>
2021 ESI guest post: Biodiversity loss in urban areas with a focus on the Twin Cities

Summer Environmental Stewardship Institute fellow Holly researched the reasons for biodiversity loss in the Twin Cities and gave solutions for city planners and individuals with environmental justice in mind. She offered up Bridal Veil Open Space in Minneapolis as an example of restored biodiversity in an urban area. >>
2021 ESI guest post: Pollinator potential

Environmental Stewardship Institute fellow Fiona researched the potential for pollinator habitat to grow alongside solar farms, as well as her own potential future in the field. >>
2021 ESI guest post: The benefits of composting and how to do it

Summer Environmental Stewardship Institute fellow Lydia set up organics recycling at her church and put her design skills to work creating an infographic to explain how and why to compost. >>
2021 ESI guest post: A comic on the symbiotic relationship between the coyote and American badger

Summer Environmental Stewardship Institute fellow Mateo's comic imagines those in conflict over water resources learning from Native knowledge around the cooperative hunting strategies of coyotes and badgers. >>
2021 ESI guest post: A marginalized river — The Hatgyi Dam on the Salween in Myanmar

ESI fellow Cho Wah Paw shares her final project, a stereoscope showing the human rights issues and biological and cultural diversity at risk due to the proposed hydropower Hatgyi Dam on the Salween River in Southeast Asia. >>