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.

2021 ESI guest post: A comic on the symbiotic relationship between the coyote and American badger

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July 30, 2021

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

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July 30, 2021

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. >>

Environmental Stewardship Institute alum keeps Hidden Falls Park clean

by Sophie Downey

article

May 12, 2021

A summer project turned into a year-round commitment for 2020 ESI Fellow Jonathan Wilson-Thieroff. Read about how he made an impact reducing fishing line waste at this beloved riverfront park. >>

Jonathan with his fishing line receptacle

Youth education opportunities

page

February 17, 2021

2020 Youth Empowerment Program final projects

by Sophie Downey

article

September 14, 2020

This year, participants in our Youth Empowerment Program tackled issues of environmental justice, microplastics, climate change and more. Enjoy a selection of their final projects. >>

A seagull made of plastic: The threat of plastics in our waters

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September 3, 2020

Audrey, a summer Youth Empowerment Program participant, wanted to make the threat of microplastics in freshwater visible through art. She crafted her seagull sculpture using plastic she found during just half an hour at a Lake Superior beach. >>

Mapping for environmental justice in the Twin Cities

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September 3, 2020

Curran, a Youth Empowerment Program participant, used data and mapping skills to visualize environmental injustice across Minneapolis and St. Paul. >>