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.

ESI guest post: A local dive into environmental justice

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July 29, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 ESI fellows Stacy, Margaret and Norijah who explored environmental racism in three local case studies: North Minneapolis air quality, East Phillips Neighborhood Urban Farm, and Enbridge Lines 3 & 5 Read more

ESI guest post: The impact of street salt on our environment

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July 29, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 ESI fellows Hanna Bjerkness and Harper Glaeser Allen who conducted a survey to find out what their community knew about road salt pollution, then created an infographic to help them learn more. Read more

ESI guest post: Invasive species scavenger hunt

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July 28, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellows Li Le Kaplow, Jasmine Jara and Sarah Hu who created a scavenger hunt for youth and their families to learn more about invasive species. Read more

ESI guest post: Informational zebra mussel workshop for kids

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July 14, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellows Abby Peters, Miranda Micko and Anika Hanson who created an interactive educational opportunity for youth to learn about zebra mussels and their effects on water quality. Read more

ESI guest post: A look at Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife)

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July 14, 2022

This is a guest post from 2022 Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) fellow Amani Armstrong-Morrow who researched the impacts of purple loosestrife, an invasive plant here in Minnesota, and offered solutions for slowing its spread. Read more

The ESI Youth Advisory Council's first year

by Naomi Nickel

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April 13, 2022

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. >>