Center for Global Environmental Education, Hamline University

08/04/2026

Not everyone adopts a storm drain for the same reason—and that's what makes our community so powerful. 💙💧

👨‍👩‍👧 For the next generation. Michelle adopts drains with her family to teach their children how everyday actions help protect clean water, creating habits that can last a lifetime.
🌿 For well-being. Christine checks her drain as part of her regular walks, turning a simple neighborhood stroll into an opportunity to care for the places she loves.
🚣 For adventure. Dustin adopted 10 storm drains to help protect the Mississippi and Rum Rivers he loves to paddle.

No matter your reason, every clear storm drain helps keep leaves, litter, and pollution out of our lakes, rivers, and streams.
What's your reason to adopt a drain? 🌊

Join more than 16,900 Minnesotans who have adopted a drain and are making a difference—one drain at a time.
👉 mn.adopt-a-drain.org

08/01/2026

The primetime debut of ESTUARIES IN THE BALANCE: FRESHWATER NURSERIES OF LAKE SUPERIOR on Twin Cities PBS is happening August 12 at 8:30 p.m.

The film documents two iconic Great Lakes estuaries—ecologically critical coastal wetlands were river- and lake-water mix. The Bad River Sloughs are celebrated internationally as pristine, have the largest wild rice beds in the Great Lakes, and have been sustained through time by the Bad River Band of Ojibwe. The St. Louis River estuary, an international port that is recovering from decades of industrial pollution, is the heart of the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe’s traditional homeland. Both estuaries face an uncertain future.

It's great to have two years of work finally coming to fruition! Producer John Shepard will be in the studio talking-story about the hour-long film during pledge breaks. If you miss it, here's a link to the film on our Vimeo channel:

Estuaries in the Balance: Freshwater Nurseries of Lake Superior explores the history and prospects of two iconic Great Lakes estuaries—ecologically critical shoreline environments where river waters mix with those of a lake or the ocean. The St. Louis River Estuary, the largest freshwater estuary ...

07/27/2026

What exactly is a the water cycle?

In Rose and the Great River Rescue, young readers don't just go on an adventure, they learn the real science behind our local environments! It is a fantastic way to introduce concepts like "ecosystems," "stormwater," and "conservation" in a way that is easy for kids to understand and visualize.

Help build their environmental vocabulary today!

Read for free: cgee-hamline.org/RoseAndGreatRiverRescue/

07/24/2026

Looking for the perfect summer storytime activity?

Rose and the Great River Rescue is completely free and ready to read wherever you are this weekend, whether you are hanging out in the backyard, cooling off inside, or actually sitting by the river!

Dive into a great summer reading adventure that teaches young learners why our water matters.

Start reading here: cgee-hamline.org/RoseAndGreatRiverRescue/

07/24/2026

Day 3 of MRI gave our educators a comprehensive look at our Mississippi. We spent a morning down by Hidden Falls, dove into some of our favorite books about the watershed in the shade, and finished with a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the local wastewater treatment plant.

07/23/2026

Teachers at the Mississippi River Institute took their training outdoors for Day 2!

We headed down to Minnehaha Creek to search for macroinvertebrates and learn all about water quality. There is no better way to understand an ecosystem than by getting right into the middle of it.

07/22/2026

Why did we create a digital children's book? Because environmental education belongs to everyone.

Rose and the Great River Rescue was designed to make complex topics like wastewater treatment and ecosystem health completely accessible, free, and fun for early learners.

We are so proud of this resource. We hope you love it as much as we do!

Read our new resource here: cgee-hamline.org/RoseAndGreatRiverRescue/

07/22/2026

Read “Rose and the Great River Rescue,” and learn about the 100 year cleanup of the Mississippi River! From P**p to Progress…

Read about Rose’s River Rescue here : cgee-hamline.org/RoseAndGreatRiverRescue/

07/22/2026

Day 1 of MRI was a massive success! We had a fantastic time out on the water with this dedicated group of teachers, exploring the unique river stretch between Crosby Farm and the Ford Parkway Lock and Dam.

We are looking forward to Day 2!

07/20/2026

Rose and the Great River Rescue is here!!!

This wonderful new story is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the importance of protecting our local waterways.

It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss, and the best part? You can read the entire book online right now!

Read the full story here: cgee-hamline.org/RoseAndGreatRiverRescue/