Welcome:

Renewing Minnesota with Green Jobs

In America and in Minnesota, the link between natural resources and jobs has been obvious for a long time. Almost all of us are familiar with the lore of lumberjacks, farmers and others who make their living off the land. In the community where I lived as a child, miners were the workers who turned their sweat into subsistence for their families.
   
Often in the past, we’ve viewed the relationship between those natural resources and jobs as temporary. We’d use up the resources in one place, and then move on to another place and use them up again.
   
But today it’s different. We all love Minnesota and want to continue to call it home. We’re not interested in going somewhere else after using up our finite resources — we’re interested in using our resources well to expand jobs, create an unrivaled quality of life and provide healthy air and water for our families and the generations of Minnesotans who will come after us.
   
How do we do that? And more importantly, what does it mean in the individual lives of workers, families and communities?

In this issue of our magazine, we wanted to explore the stories, and visions, of Minnesotans who are making their living today in industries that sustain or even enhance our natural resources, and others who can see the way to a future in which our prosperity comes from more jobs like that. In a time of economic struggle, it’s especially important that we tell these stories and offer these glimpses into the future. Minnesota’s health depends in a major way on how well we make the transition.

So-called “green jobs” already play a vital role in our economy. In 2005, environmental industries nationwide generated more than 5.3 million jobs, $341 billion in sales and $47 billion in tax revenues. Minnesota, according to one study, has over 52,000 green jobs. But we can do even better.

As conservation writer Wendell Berry said, “The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.” And that hope is not just for protection of the beauty of our planet, but for livelihoods that can bring us both dignity and lasting prosperity.

Now it’s your turn to tell us your Minnesota stories — about your green job or anything else related to conservation. Our magazine and website are designed to empower you to talk about Minnesota’s Great Outdoors and what it means to you and your family. It’s as easy as emailing info@conservationminnesota.org. We’ll publish the stories, pictures and videos you submit.




PAUL AUSTIN
Executive Director
Conservation Minnesota
paul@conservationminnesota.org