Sarah's fundraiser for MCEA

This was the summer of butterflies in my house. My 5-year-old was hellbent on hunting for monarch caterpillars on every milkweed leaf in our neighborhood. We found three and witnessed two (Edgar 1 and Edgar 2) slowly transform within James’ plastic habitat—from tiny green squiggles into chrysalises, and then, after more than a week of waiting and wondering if the whole thing had derailed, bust out dripping as orange, black, and white bombshells. I’m still not sure who thought it was cooler, James or me.

Part of what struck me was the inconceivability of it—how so much could be happening inside something that looked completely still on the outside. There’s a metaphor somewhere in there about the work my colleagues at MCEA do within complex systems to create policies and laws that better protect Minnesota’s wild places and the health of our people. They’re at Public Utilities Commission meetings and town halls, meeting with groundwater advocates and legislators, combing through case law, and reading the fine print.

It can look like nothing is happening for a while, but suddenly, all that work on the inside—alongside other organizations, organizers, and advocates—creates change. Together, we pass the 100% carbon-free law, secure protections against PFAS and nitrate contamination in our drinking water, close a polluting foundry in an overburdened neighborhood, or win a major court case against a sulfide-mining company.

This past year, we’ve been working to bring more transparency and environmental review to data center proposals, filing five lawsuits in just the past few months. I’m hopeful this work will lead to stronger policies that protect our natural resources and ensure Minnesotans have a say in what gets built in their communities. 

We're also working to protect drinking water, decarbonize our gas sector, protect Lake Superior from sulfide-mining pollution, and so much more. 

The majority of our funding comes from individual donors, and every donation—no matter the size—helps ensure that MCEA has the resources we need to keep fighting in the courts and at the legislature.

In a moment when so much feels out of our control, giving to MCEA is a tangible action you can take to protect Minnesota’s environment, our climate, and the health of our communities. There are so many needs right now and many causes worthy of support—but if this one speaks to you, I promise your gift will be well spent at MCEA.

Thank you!