Via the St. Croix Valley Foundation:
Conversations of the Valley is a community speaker series that’s been informing and inspiring since 2004. The purpose is to bring community members together to address issues relevant to the St. Croix Valley region.
By talking about issues, discussing them and asking questions, community members gain insights which often lead to meaningful action.
Topics are presented 4 times per year at a luncheon.
The 2019-2020 season will be titled ‘Protecting the Places We Love,’ inspired by the upcoming 50th anniversary of Earth Day, founded on April 22, 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson.
Mr. Nelson (1916-2005) was born and raised in Clear Lake in Polk County, Wisconsin. He served as Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Senator from 1958 – 1981. In 1995 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work on environmental issues.
It seems fitting that a global environmental movement was initiated by a leader with such deep ties to the St. Croix Valley. ‘Protecting the Places We Love’ is as much a call to action today as it was 50 years ago.
“State of the Climate” presented by Dr. Mark Seeley
Wed. Nov. 13, 2019 (Register here)
U of M professor emeritus and retired MPR climatologist Dr. Mark Seeley shares evidence of Great Lakes Region climate change and its effect on our landscape, crops and seasons. With awareness we can help mitigate further climate change and adapt to the changes already upon us.
“Current State of the Environmental Movement” presented by The Nature Conservancy
Wed. Jan. 15, 2020 (Reservations Will Open Late November)
The Evolution of the environmental movement brings us to the movement today. The Nature Conservancy works to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends, envisioning a world where people and nature thrive.
“The Forever Green Agriculture Initiative” presented by Dr. Don Wyse
Wed. Mar. 18, 2020 (Reservations Will Open Late January)
Dr. Don Wyse, professor of Agronomy and Plant Genetics/U of M presents the ‘Forever Green Initiative’ –putting new crops in the eco system to improve the economic situation for farmers and the sustainability of our environment.
“Xcel Energy: Delivering Reliable, Affordable Clean Energy For St. Croix Valley Customers” presented by Xcel Energy
Wed. May 13, 2020 (Reservations Will Open Late March)
Learn about Xcel Energy’s plans to deliver reliable, affordable, clean energy to our St. Croix Valley homes and businesses. Xcel Energy’s Upper Midwest Energy Plan outlines how Xcel will aggressively reduce carbon emissions to provide 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. As the first electric generation company in the nation to announce such an ambitious goal, Xcel Energy leadership will share its vision and plan regarding clean energy transition, which includes expanding wind and solar while ensuring reliability and affordability.
Details:
All events will take place at the Lake Elmo Inn Event Center, 3712 Layton Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042. The fee is $21, including lunch.
The schedule is lunch served at 11:30 a.m., speaker begins at noon, Q & A at 12:45 p.m., program concludes at 1:00 p.m.
