What's happening at Eco Experience 2021

Eco Experience is the MPCA's premier outreach opportunity, filled with hands-on activities, demonstrations and resources, during the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair. Learn from experts about what you can do to help improve our land, air, water, and climate.

What are ways our changing climate affects Minnesota?

• Climate change is shortening the lake ice season in Minnesota and there are implications for our economy and ecology. Watch an 18,000 pound ice block disappear throughout the Fair and learn how our declining ice seasons affect the health of our lakes and aquatic life.

• As Minnesota's climate becomes wetter and warmer, our septic systems may need some special attention. Learn some steps you can take to help make your septic system more resilient to our changing climate.

• Climate change & the food we eat: Greenhouse gas emissions from different foods and how they're grown

o Six different food items have weights that reflect the greenhouse gases emitted by each during its entire lifecycle from farm production to table.

How can I make a difference?

• Visit our "Green Garage" to see how you can make your home maintenance equipment more environmentally friendly.

o Battery-powered equipment-- mower, snow blower, string trimmer, chain saw, leaf blower, etc. will include messaging about lower emissions, less noise and maintenance, and ease of use.

• Take a look at the Tesla Model Y and Mustang Mach-E on display and talk to electric vehicle owners who can answer all your questions, and share their experiences.

• Learn how you can help make your community more climate resilient.

o Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle the products you use everyday

o Learn about, and take advantage of green transportation available to you, like walking routes, bike paths, public transit, and ride share opportunities

o Find out how you can convert your home to make better use of solar and wind energy. See examples of products and equipment, and learn about financial incentives available from power companies

Partners and exhibitors

• Blue Thumb Partners (Metro Blooms) - Minnesota's pollinators-especially our State Bee, the rusty patched bumble bee-need you! Find information and examples of what you can do in your yard throughout the exhibit, and talk with experts who can help!

• Center for Global Environmental Education at Hamline University - Take your photo at a selfie station, defending a storm drain from runoff pollution. Sign up to adopt a storm drain in your own neighborhood, and get a small yard sign that recognizes your commitment to keeping lakes and rivers clean!

• Erik's Bike Shop - Learn about the incredible, amazing electric bike - how they work and the benefits of riding one, including positive environmental impact!

• Fireflies Play Environments, Inc. - The play yard is a collaboration between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Fireflies Play Environments, Inc. It began in 2014 as a temporary exhibit. Due to the popularity of the play experience, the Minnesota State Fair requested it become a permanent feature.

• Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources - This exhibit will highlight the shift to carbon-free fuels to generate electricity as well as efficiency improvements in industrial, commercial, and residential buildings. Efforts toward clean energy and efficiency for Minnesota communities, businesses, and households will also be showcased.

• Minnesota Department of Transportation - This interactive exhibit will allow Minnesotans to learn more about green transportation choices like walking, biking, public transit, and shared mobility and give them the tools make a change.

• Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) and Windustry - The Race to Renewables exhibit will use art, science and technology to pique families' curiosity and answer their questions about renewable energy options for homes, apartments, cabins or emergency response. Indoor and outdoor exhibits will address a Renewable Energy theme with a focus on wind and solar energy plus storage. Windustry and MRES will coordinate to provide a seamless visitor experience, while maintaining the unique identities of each organization.

• Renewing the Countryside - In our exhibit, we'll share stories of innovative farmers, foodmakers, and organizations who are building successful businesses and tackling the climate problem head-on. Fairgoers will learn what they can do to support climate-friendly food and agriculture. Cooking demonstration schedules will be posted inside the Eco Experience each day, and listed on the MN State Fair website.

• University of Minnesota Tree Care Advisors – Consult with tree experts and have access to computer resources, informational displays that address how and why trees have been affected by our changing climate and how trees can help reduce the effects of climate change, live tree and shrub samples, and literature that you can take home and reference for the future.

About the Eco Experience: A partnership between the Minnesota State Fair, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and more than 150 organizations and businesses across the state, the Eco Experience has become the second most visited exhibit at the fair. The Eco Experience is the largest environmental event of its kind, nationally, in the last two decades. In 2013 the Eco Experience won the People's Choice Award voted on by the fair goers at the Minnesota State Fair. Since 2006, more than 3.5 million visitors have attended the 25,000-square-foot exhibit to learn more about clean air and water, saving energy, climate change, recycling, healthy local food, gardening, transportation, green building and remodeling, and other ways to lead more eco-friendly lives.