Northwoods Nature Nonprofits

The Northwoods are the lake country of the upper Midwest, a glacier-scoured mosaic of pine and hardwood forest laced with thousands of lakes and threaded by cold, clear rivers. This is where the eastern forest gives way to the boreal north, where wolves and moose still range and the loon’s call defines a northern summer. The Boundary Waters at its edge is one of the most cherished wilderness canoe country in America.

The organizations here protect wild lakes and rivers from mining and development, keep the great forests connected, and restore the fisheries and wetlands that make this a refuge for both wildlife and people seeking quiet. Their work guards a landscape whose value is measured in clean water and deep silence.

Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion

120 organizations working across this landscape.

1000 Friends of Wisconsin

Stevens Point, WI

1000 Friends of Wisconsin was created in 1996 by a group of academics and environmentalists with the primary focus of promoting legislation that led to Wisconsin...

Climate EnergyEnvironmental Justice

Alliance for Sustainability

Minneapolis, MN

Our mission is to co-create sustainability on a personal, organizational and planetary level. We envision a healthy, just, equitable, thriving, kind and peaceful wor...

Climate EnergyWaste Circular Economy

Anglers of the Au Sable, Inc

Grayling, MI
Water Rivers

Anishinaabe Niijii

Springbrook, WI
Land Conservation

Appetite For Change, Inc

Minneapolis, MN

Appetite For Change is a community-led organization that strengthens families, creates economic prosperity, and encourages healthy living. Through our innovative, y...

Land ConservationSustainable Food Agriculture

Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with climate adaptation. Based in Saint Paul, MN, United States of America, ...

Climate Energy

BlueGreen Alliance Foundation

Minneapolis, MN
Climate Energy

Chester Bowl Improvement Club

Duluth, MN

To promote sustainable, quality programs for all Chester Bowl Park users in a healthy and safe environment.

Land ConservationLand Conservation Land Trusts

Children & Nature Network (C&NN)

Minneapolis, MN
Climate Energy

Circle of Blue

Traverse City, MI

The international network of leading journalists, scientists and communications designers that reports and presents the information necessary to respond to the glob...

Water Rivers

Community Action Duluth

Duluth, MN
Sustainable Food Agriculture

Conservation Resource Alliance

Traverse City, MI
Water Rivers

Copper Harbor Trails Society, Inc

Copper Harbor, MI

We build and maintain incredible trails near Michigan’s northernmost town, Copper Harbor. Our network of 37+ miles of non-motorized, human-powered trail spans from...

Land Conservation

Council of Contributors, Inc

Wayzata, MN

RHINO CONSERVATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Cova

Saint Paul, MN

We are a nonprofit social enterprise bridging the gap between available and safe water for millions of Central American in rural communities.

Water RiversClimate Energy

CURE

Montevideo, MN

CURE (Clean Up the River Environment) is a rural, nonprofit organization made up of people who care about the well-being of their neighbors, the health of the water...

Water RiversClimate Energy

Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS)

Duluth
Land Conservation

Dream of Wild Health

Minneapolis, MN

We work to restore health and well-being in the Native community by recovering knowledge of and access to healthy Indigenous foods, medicines, and lifeways.

Climate EnergySustainable Food Agriculture

Dress for Success Twin Cities

Saint Paul, MN

Dress for Success Twin Cities empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to he...

Waste Circular Economy

Duluth Climbers Coalition

Duluth, MN

Duluth Climbers Coalition is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with terrestrial ecosystems. Based in Duluth, MN, United States of America, it i...

Land Conservation

Duluth Cross Country Ski Club

Duluth, MN
Land Conservation

Ecolibrium3

Duluth, MN

Eco3 leads and inspires change in northern Minnesota toward an equitable and sustainable future

Climate EnergyEnvironmental Justice

Eureka! Recycling

Minneapolis, MN

Eureka Recycling is dedicated to demonstrating that waste is completely preventable, not inevitable. Our mission is to bridge the gap between our vision for a Zero W...

Climate EnergyWaste Circular Economy

Farm Commons

Duluth, MN
Sustainable Food Agriculture

FLOW (For Love of Water)

Traverse City, MI

FLOW’s mission is to ensure the waters of the Great Lakes Basin are healthy, public, and protected for all. Our mission encompasses all waters in the Basin, includin...

Water RiversWaste Circular Economy

Forest Stewardship Council U.S.

Minneapolis, MN

The Forest Stewardship Council mission is to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world's forests.

Land ConservationClimate Energy

Free Bikes 4 Kidz

St. Louis Park, MN
Waste Circular Economy

Free Forest School

Minneapolis, MN

Addressing common barriers, we empower caregivers to create access to nature play.

Land ConservationClimate Energy

Fresh Energy

Saint Paul, MN

Fresh Energy is shaping and driving bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies.

Climate EnergyOther

Freshwater

Excelsior, MN
Water Rivers

Freshwater Future

Petoskey, MI
Water Rivers

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness

Saint Paul, MN

To protect and promote America's most visited wilderness area.

Land ConservationWater Rivers

Friends of the Mississippi River

Saint Paul, MN

Friends of the Mississippi River engages people to protect, restore and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region.

Water RiversSustainable Food Agriculture

Friends of Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks

Hudson, WI

The Friends of Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks, Inc.is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation organized for the purpose of supporting, assisting, and promotin...

Wildlife Biodiversity

Gathering Ground

Washington Island, WI

Gathering Ground practices agriculture and conservation on our working and teaching farm, connecting learners of all ages to nature, community, healthy food.

Wildlife BiodiversitySustainable Food Agriculture

Great River Greening

St. Paul, MN
Water Rivers

GreenAgain Madagascar

St Paul, MN

Rainforest restoration and protection through collaboration with Madagascar rural people.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Green Cities Accord

Minneapolis, MN

Green Cities Accord is a nonprofit organization focused on increasing funding to enhance our urban tree canopy.

Climate EnergyOther

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

Traverse City, MI
Climate Energy

H2O for Life

White Bear Lake, MN

H2O for Life activates youth to help solve the global water crisis.

Water RiversClimate Energy

Hartley Nature Center

Duluth, MN

Hartley Nature Center is an independent, non-profit, environmental education organization located in the beautiful 660-acre Hartley Park in Duluth, Minnesota.

Land ConservationClimate Energy

Home and Away Ministries dba Ruby's Pantry

North Branch, MN

To activate people in being alert to the needs of others and to be proactive in encouraging faith, showing friendship and meeting tangible needs of neighbors, friend...

Sustainable Food AgricultureWaste Circular Economy

Horst Rechelbacher Foundation: The Acreage At Osceola

Osceola, WI

Horst Rechelbacher Foundation: The Acreage At Osceola is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with biodiversity & wildlife. Based in Osceola, WI, ...

Wildlife Biodiversity

Huron Pines

Gaylord, MI

Working to create sustainable conservation solutions throughout Northern Michigan.

Land ConservationWater Rivers

Indifly Incorporated

St Paul, MN
Wildlife Biodiversity

Indigenous Environmental Network

Bemidji, MN

IEN is an alliance of grassroots Indigenous peoples with a shared mission to protect the sacredness of Mother Earth from contamination and exploitation

Climate EnergyEducation Advocacy

Institute For Agriculture and Trade Policy

Minneapolis, MN

Vision: IATP envisions agriculture, trade and food systems that are good for people, farmers and food system workers, ecosystems, and social justice globally. Valu...

Climate EnergySustainable Food Agriculture

Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition

Mohawk, MI

Working together to protect the Keweenaw — Access For Everyone, Forever

Land ConservationWater Rivers

Kids for Saving Earth

North Branch, MN

Kids for Saving Earth helps instructors educate children about environmental issues including climate change, pollution, wildlife, green living and more.

Climate EnergyWaste Circular Economy

Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance

Red Wing, MN

We are a citizen-driven organization which brings together education, science, and collaborative action to sustain Lake Pepin's ecosystem for the long-term, includi...

Water Rivers

Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy

Sault Ste Marie, MI

To protect the Lake Superior freshwater ecosystem for future generations.

Land ConservationWater Rivers

Lake Superior Zoo

Duluth, MN

The Lake Superior Zoo integrates outdoor education with active conservation to protect biodiversity. Its nature-based preschool and youth leadership programs us

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Land Stewardship Project (LSP)

Minneapolis, MN
Sustainable Food Agriculture

Lead-Up International

Cold Spring, MN

Lead-Up International seeks to help at-risk youth to become Peaceful Leaders in their communities for a more peaceful and sustainable world.

Climate Energy

Life Time Foundation

Chanhassen, MN

Inspiring Healthy People, a Healthy Planet, and a Healthy Way of Life

Land ConservationOutdoor Recreation Access

Little Traverse Conservancy

Harbor Springs, MI

Little Traverse Conservancy Inc is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with regenerative agriculture / food systems. Based in Harbor Springs, MI,...

Land ConservationLand Resources

Lower Phalen Creek Project

Saint Paul, MN

Engaging people to honor and care for our natural places and the sacred sites and cultural value within them.

Land ConservationWater Rivers

Lowertown Bike Shop

St.Paul, MN

At Lowertown Bike Shop, we believe bikes change lives. We deliver sustainability, education, and transportation through bicycles for all riders.

Education AdvocacyOther

Marbleseed, Inc

Spring Valley, WI

Marbleseed provides farmer-led educational resources and programs that support farmers in their transition to organic, regenerative agriculture.

Land ConservationSustainable Food Agriculture

Medicine Fish Corp

Gresham, WI

We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Indigenous Youth through revitalizing their cultural connection to self and Mother Earth.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Nearby Bioregions in the Great Lakes & Northwoods

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