In summer 2006 and 2007 Will Steger, renowned Arctic explorer and environmental educator, set out across Southern Minnesota to tour locally-owned renewable energy sites in partnership with The Minnesota Project and the Natural Legacy Campaign. The expedition highlighted the economic and energy opportunities produced by Minnesota’s rural communities while emphasizing that Minnesota farmers and their communities hold the key to global warming solutions. Rural communities lead the way in wind power, ethanol, biodiesel, and methane digester development and offer economic opportunity to their communities while bringing cleaner air and energy independence to the nation.
 |
 |
 |
| Midwest Renewable Energy Tour |
||
We have also launched or collaborated with speaking tours with a focus on using the eyewitness account as a tool for educational awareness and political action:
Arctic Voices Global Warming Tour - WSF partnered with the Circumpolar Conservation Union (CCU) to bring Arctic indigenous leaders as spokespersons to Minnesota as part of their 10-day, multi-state Arctic Voices global warming tour in the Spring of 2007. The tour enabled Arctic indigenous leaders to share their stories in key venues as they pressed the U.S. to act immediately to curb global warming and protect all of its citizens from the impacts of climate change. Arctic indigenous leaders included Olav-Mathis Eira, Vice-President of the Saami Council and Sarah James, Board Member of the Gwich'in Steering Committee and Goldman Environmental prize winner.
In partnership with nonprofit organizations, congregations, and universities, Will Steger Foundation co-hosts Eyewitness to Global Warming community forums on global warming solutions; the forums are a spark for future public and political action.
Will Steger provides vivid accounts from his observations of global warming in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Will Steger took his Eyewitness to Global Warming message across Minnesota and the Midwest, starting in the fall of 2005. Check out some of our past speaking tours:
- Montana Tour - February, 2010
- Promoting Clean Energy with Business Leaders - February, 2010
- North Dakota Tour - May, 2009
- Kansas Tour - February, 2008
- South Dakota Tour
- The Longest Summer Tour - Midwest - October, 2008
- We support state campaigns such as HIRE Minnesota, Clean Energy Minnesota, national campaigns such as 1sky and 350.org
- We are working with our allies and partners to support biofuel investment and solar energy for Minnesota, clean cars standards and investment in green jobs.
