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: 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

ESI guest post: A local dive into environmental justice

update

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

update

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

update

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