Environmental Stewardship Institute

While many high schools offer green teams or eco clubs, young people rarely have the opportunity to explore their career options in the environmental field. FMR established the Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) in 2019 to address the gap between environmental education and career pathways.

Through an immersive, interdisciplinary program on local river issues and professional development, ESI fosters a diverse next generation of environmental leaders.

See what we've been up to below, or learn more on our general ESI program page.

Congrats to our 2022 ESI summer intensive fellows!

update

September 11, 2022

We doubled the size of our summer intensive program for high school-aged youth this year. Find out what our fellows explored and learned, read two reflections on the program and see their final projects. Read more

ESI guest post: PFAS in Minnesota and impacts on east metro drinking water

update

August 31, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellow Alecia Jendro who researched the history of 3M's PFAS disposal in the East Metro, the resulting health and environmental impacts, and what's being done about it now. Read more

ESI guest post: The nitrogen cycle and how it affects different organisms

update

August 25, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellow Spencer who created a video exploring the nitrogen cycle and the health of aquariums and how that compares to the Mississippi River. Read more

ESI guest post: Agriculture and the Upper Mississippi

update

August 19, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellows Joseph and Peter who researched the impact of agriculture on water quality and what we can do about pollution from excess fertilizers. Read more

ESI guest post: What is the Upper Harbor Terminal Project?

update

August 19, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellow Lucy Keenan who created an infographic explaining the redevelopment project at North Minneapolis's Upper Harbor Terminal. Read more

Thank you, summer 2022 interns and assistants!

article

August 10, 2022

Our summer interns and assistants helped double the size of our high school career pathways program, co-led more than 20 engagement events around lock and dam issues, and surveyed wildlife at restoration sites around the metro. >>

ESI guest post: Making gardening accessible for everyone

update

July 29, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellow Mitali who created an informational video about making gardening and community gardens more accessible. Read more