The problem with land, as Will Rogers explained, is that "they aren't making any more of it." Sitting at the intersection of three major biomes and almost two centuries of post-settlement economic development, Minnesota possesses a broad mix of the natural and built environments. MCEA has a long and successful history of fighting to protect many of the elements of Minnesota's natural heritage.

MCEA also works to enrich Minnesota's built environment. MCEA supports more compact and mixed-use forms of development that create walkable, livable neighborhoods, strengthen exisiting communities, provide many choices for how we move around, provide housing opportunities for all households, make development decisions more predictable and economically efficient and in which all elements of the community are engaged.