Most Minnesotans take pride in our natural resources and care about the environment. This is reflected in our state government, which has numerous departments and committees that play a role in protecting Minnesota’s environment. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of some of major state government groups that deal with environmental issues. For complete details about any group on the list, visit their websites.

• Department of Natural Resources– The DNR oversees fishing, hunting, and wildlife management. They are also in charge of our state parks and trails, and they publish the excellent magazine Minnesota Conservation Volunteer.
• Pollution Control Agency– The MPCA monitors environmental quality throughout the state and enforces regulations about air, water, and waste. They provide extensive environmental education to businesses and individuals, including the EcoExperience at the Minnesota State Fair.
• Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources– The LCCMR is made up of members of the Minnesota House, Senate, and the public. The group reviews proposals for natural resources and environmental projects and makes recommendations to the legislature about which ones should be funded.
• Department of Agriculture– The MDA is responsible for regulating agriculture, which includes livestock, seeds, fertilizer and pesticide use, and much more. They’re also responsible for the highly useful Minnesota Grown Directory, our go-to guide for CSAs, farmers markets, orchards, and more.
• Board of Water and Soil Resources– BWSR doesn’t receive as much publicity as some of the other agencies on this list, but they are instrumental in protecting and improving our state’s soils, waters, and wetlands. The Board is made up of members of the public as well as representatives from local and state government.
• Forest Resources Council– The MFRC advises the governor on issues pertaining to Minnesota’s forests, and works to ensure they are used and enjoyed in a sustainable manor.
• Environmental Quality Board– The EQB has a set of broad-ranging responsibilities around statewide environmental issues, such as ensuring policies are being complied to, assessing Minnesota’s waters, and conducting environmental reviews of projects that could have large-scale effects. The Board is comprised of the heads of key state agencies and members of the public.
• Public Utilities Commission– The PUC regulates Minnesota’s electricity and gas service (as well as home phones). They are responsible for updating or building power plants, wind farms, and pipelines that transport oil and natural gas. They approve utility rates and hear complaints from consumers.

This is not a comprehensive list of all the state agencies and departments that deal with the environment in Minnesota. We’ve included the ones that members of the public most often deal with, but you can access a complete list of all state agencies, commissions, and boards here.

Photo: USFWS