OUR MISSION
We use law and science to protect Minnesota’s environment, its natural resources, and the health of its people.
For nearly half a century, we’ve worked in the courts, at the legislature, and with public agencies to enact, strengthen, and enforce smart environmental law. We educate the public about environmental issues and support communities in their fight to protect their environment, especially where people are disproportionally impacted by pollution and social inequities.
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit advocacy organization, with an in-house team that includes some of Minnesota’s foremost environmental law and policy professionals, as well as policy analysts, subject-matter experts and communications professionals. We are unique among environmental organizations in that we utilize legal expertise in the pursuit of environmental justice.
How we do it
High Impact Legal Battles
Our staff of in-house lawyers takes legal actions that create big impacts. We fight against polluters, short-sighted policies and actions, environmental disparities and injustices, dirty politics and attacks on the scientific method.
Shaping Policy
Our team of policy analysts, subject-matter experts and communications professionals is at the Capitol and in communities, fighting for far-sighted policies and actions, environmental justice and equity, clean and transparent politics and the scientific method
Forming Partnerships
We are stronger together. That’s why we partner with community members, decision-makers, subject-matter experts and others to work toward common goals.
Lasting environmental wins for Minnesotans
Forty-five years ago, I was part of a group that formed this organization upon the idealistic premise that excellent legal representation, as competent as those representing the well-funded opposition, is essential to long term protection of the environment. MCEA’s continuing success is the fulfillment of the dream of the founders, and an ongoing answer to the intergenerational injustice that faces our grandchildren and future generations. My continued support is not optional, because I love nature and care about our descendants' future.
– Chuck Dayton, MCEA’s first lawyer
Help us defend Minnesota’s environment today
OUR VISION
MCEA envisions clean water, clean air, healthy ecosystems, a sustainable economy, and improved public health for all Minnesotans. We are committed to growing our capacity and impact to achieve measurable progress toward this vision.
OUR VALUES
INTEGRITY.
We make our decisions based on facts, science, and law.
RESULTS.
Our goal is to achieve positive environmental and public health results, using all the tools at our disposal.
LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE.
We are in this for the long haul. We seek long-term, systemic changes, and we recognize that major achievements almost always require patience and a sustained effort.
PARTNERSHIPS.
We coordinate our efforts and combine our unique strengths with our partners’ unique strengths to achieve common goals. We welcome partnerships with groups whose interests do not always mirror our own.
RESPECT.
We treat everyone—coworkers, partners, opponents—with respect.
JUSTICE.
We seek solutions that are fair to future generations and to all people.
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The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) is honored to announce its inclusion for the second year running on The NonProfit Times Best Nonprofits to Work For list. MCEA was also included as a 2022 Best Places to Work honoree by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal
“MCEA will always strive to ensure our team members feel valued and supported; it empowers our employees to be the best possible advocates protecting Minnesota’s air and water. Our effectiveness as an organization is directly tied to our employees’ health and well-being, both at work and at home,” MCEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Hoffman'