Letter from the Executive Director
With the end of 2011 approaching, it’s a natural time to express our gratitude, to reflect on this past year’s achievements, and lay the groundwork for the year ahead. Our 2010-2011 Annual Report is complete, and with eight-more pages than last year, thanks to more supporters and an incredible list of accomplishments, we want to acknowledge our friends that made this all possible.
I want to thank our dedicated Board of Directors and incredible staff, who not only go above and beyond what is asked of them with their time, but also contribute financially. I am proud to share that we have 100% financial participation from our entire team. We are all passionate about the issue we work on and our approach. We are a unique organization that combines education, youth leadership and advocacy to advance solutions to climate change.
Thanks to your support and interest in our work, you have also made a tremendous impact on hundreds of educators, youth leaders and defended policies that protect our health, environment and advance the clean energy economy.
We have big plans for 2012, such as revamping our climate education resources, increasing our outreach in Minnesota and across the Midwest, and so much more. We’ll need you again to make this a reality. Right now, however we just want to say thank you.
Sincerely,
Nicole Rom, Executive Director
From Nov. 28 – Dec. 9, 2011, the 17th Conference of Parties (COP 17) to the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) met in Durban, South Africa. The U.N. Climate Talks included delegates from 194 countries, hundreds of public interest organizations, and thousands of activists from around the world who joined the delegates to advocate for a fair, ambitious and binding agreement that will reduce global emissions, build vulnerable nations’ resilience to climate change and foster a low-carbon green economy globally. The main question at the conference was timing and the sense of urgency. Accredited to participate in the negotiations through the Will Steger Foundation, John Howard and Paul Thompson, attended the negotiations and documented their experience at COP17 via WSF’s blog: www.willstegerfoundation.org/cop17.
Education
SAVE THE DATE for our 2012 Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, August 7-8. Mileage and accommodations will be available again for those traveling outside the metro area, within Minnesota!
We have been hearing some great updates from teachers around the state about the action projects they are planning as a culmination to using Minnesota's Changing Climate. Here are a few examples: Kristy Otte's eighth graders at Heritage E-STEM have a big water quality project planned for the spring involving water testing and native planting at Dodge Nature Center. Krisann Bunnel's sixth graders at Wellstone Elementary are doing a spring gardening project in a partnership with St. Paul Parks and Rec. Cheri Howe's eighth graders at the Math and Science Academy are voting on which projects they will pursue after 8 groups of students have spent time brainstorming. Stay up to date on the exciting things going on via the Climate Lessons blog!
Emerging Leaders
Learnin' From Durban
Twin Cities YEA! MN students hosted 'Learnin' from Durban: Global Action on a local Scale', a community event featuring a Skype video call with two WSF delegates to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Durban, South Africa, Steve Suppan from Minnesota’s Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, and delegates from countries who will face serious impacts as the climate changes. The event also featured stories of local youth action and an opportunity to take action on the Clean Air Act.
In The News
PR Newswire
Will Steger is listed among Polar explorer Richard Byrd as one of National Geographic's "Ten Grants That Illuminated The World" article by MPR Newswire.
Niles Patch
Arctic Explorers Kick Off Coke's Polar Bear Campaign At Shedd Aquarium
MPR News
Christmas tree growers push 'green' message
Grand Rapids Herald Review
Faith community is joining the climate discussion
Twin Cities Daily Planet
Christina Cassano takes over Our Kitchen and raises money for the Will Steger Foundation.
Action!
Climate Ride California 2012!
We know a lot of you have been clamoring for California ride dates for 2012! We're thrilled to announce that the stunning Climate Ride California will return September 9-13, 2012 and we are excited to be a Climate Ride beneficiary non-profit organization, and in 2012, to put together a Will Steger Foundation team! Learn more about the ride that includes the redwoods, the Pacific Coast, the Golden Gate Bridge, and a triumphant arrival in San Francisco. Register now!
There is also a ride from New York to Washington D.C. even sooner, May 19-23, 2012.
Photo of the Month
Will Steger toured Princeton and Grand Rapids December 7 and 8 to discuss clean air, climate change and human health. This photo shows Will talking to a large audience at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, for a faith-based discussion on climate change impacts and solutions.
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