Preparing for what's to come: A message from our executive director

Since the election, I've had conversations with colleagues, loved ones and some of you imagining what the results will mean for our air, waters and lands. 

Given President Trump's track record during his first term, we know to anticipate environmental challenges. The last time he was in office, his administration's policies rejected the reality of climate change, loosened environmental standards, and upended protections for water.  

In some cases, like the Clean Water Act rollbacks in 2018, Minnesota's strong safeguards overcame those threats. In some cases not.

As always after an election, we’re thinking through what state and federal results mean for our strategies and our projects, from the federal Mississippi River Resilience and Restoration Initiative to getting river-friendly sustainable aviation fuels off the ground (again). We'll take time to collaborate with our partners and coalitions to figure out how we'll navigate our current political landscape, and we'll share details and opportunities for supporters soon.

What we know right now is that our vision for clean water and a shared river is not subject to political winds. That vision is our north star. And we know that when it comes to that vision, when it comes to valuing our lands and waters, we have common ground with our fellow Minnesotans. 

In this election, more than 77% of Minnesota voters actively voted yes to continue spending lottery funds on our great outdoors. Every county — rural and urban, red and blue — all across the state approved that dedicated investment. That show of public support, to me, is heartening, and a testament to what can carry us forward into our shared future.