Spotlight on our Corporate Partners
07/17/2025
At Great River Greening, we know that restoring and protecting Minnesota’s natural spaces takes a shared commitment. From our dedicated staff and Board of Directors to volunteers, donors, municipalities, schools, and state partners—our work is grounded in collaboration.
One of the most powerful forces behind this mission? Corporate partners who roll up their sleeves, invest in local impact, and lead by example. Whether through funding, employee volunteers, or in-kind support, these companies are helping us restore land, protect water, and build a more resilient Minnesota for future generations.
Today, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of the businesses that are making conservation a core part of their values in 2025.
CARGILL
Cargill continues to be a cornerstone partner in our regenerative agriculture efforts. Their support helped expand Great River Greening’s reach across key watersheds, empowering farmers to implement soil-building practices and continuous living cover crops like winter camelina and Kernza.
With Cargill’s backing, we:
Reached new communities with farmer-led field days and educational events
Supported the growth of silvopasture projects that combine tree planting and grazing
Monitored soil health and water quality metrics across dozens of demonstration acres
Helped catalyze momentum around sustainable aviation fuel through camelina pilot efforts
PENTAIR
Pentair and the Pentair Foundation continue to lead with purpose, supporting efforts that reduce water stress and build ecological resilience—key priorities in their global mission to help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water.
In 2025, Pentair contributed to our work at Sakatah Wildlife Management Area, where wetland restoration is helping to protect one of southern Minnesota’s critical aquatic systems. These land-based interventions are creating ecosystem-wide benefits, from cleaner water and improved storage to more climate-resilient landscapes.
We are also grateful for Pentair’s annual hands on commitment. Their interns do a dedicated volunteer day in the field, helping bring these projects to life.
ADOLFSON AND PETERSON CONSTRUCTION
Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) continued to show its commitment to environmental stewardship in the past year. In fall 2024, AP made a generous $50,000 gift to Great River Greening through its annual Golf Fore Gratitude fundraising tournament—demonstrating how philanthropy and fun can come together to fuel conservation.
Their impact didn’t go unnoticed—AP was selected to receive our 2024 Headwaters Award, honoring outstanding leadership in corporate conservation and community engagement.
Beyond financial support, AP partnered with us on one of our most visible outreach efforts: Seeds on a Stick, a creative and engaging educational giveaway distributed at the Minnesota State Fair. We are especially grateful to Molly Weiss, AP’s Chief Human Resources Officer and a dedicated member of Greening’s board of directors.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY FOUNDATION
CenterPoint Energy has been a valued community partner to Great River Greening for nearly 25 years—and in 2024, they deepened that commitment with their largest gift to date: a $50,000 grant from their Foundation to support our one-of-a-kind mobile biochar initiative. This pioneering project is transforming how we restore degraded landscapes by turning invasive woody biomass into carbon-rich biochar that improves soil health, retains water, and stores carbon. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is continuing that support through a grant this year to support Greening’s biochar field day at the 2025 North American Biochar Conference in September.
Our relationship with CenterPoint dates back to 2000, just a year after Greening became an official nonprofit. Since then, CenterPoint and their Foundation have contributed more than $200,000, engaged over 100 employee volunteers, and worked with Greening Solutions to convert turf into pollinator habitat at a company building. Because of their continued support of our mission, CenterPoint Energy was honored with the 2023 Headwaters Award.
XCEL ENERGY
Xcel Energy has been with Great River Greening since the very beginning and their support continues to show up in meaningful ways: from foundation grants and sponsorships to hands-on restoration through their annual Xcel Energy Day of Service, when employee volunteers dig in to remove invasive species, plant native habitat, and improve local green spaces. We are especially grateful for the leadership of Tim Rogers, Xcel Energy Sr. Manager, Siting and Permitting and a dedicated member of Greening’s board of directors.
In 2025, we’re especially proud to be recognized as a featured nonprofit through the Saint Paul Saints, thanks to Xcel Energy’s sponsorship. This platform helps elevate Greening’s mission in front of thousands of Minnesotans—amplifying our impact and inviting new supporters to get involved. Xcel Energy was honored with the 2019 Headwaters Award.
LIFE TIME FOUNDATION
This year, as part of their mission to inspire Healthy People, a Healthy Planet, and a Healthy Way of Life, Life Time Foundation expanded their commitment to community health and climate resilience by supporting two impactful urban forestry projects with Great River Greening.
Their grant will support a student-led tree planting project at Harding High School, in partnership with the Harding Earth Club. It will also support a mini forest planting project at Battle Creek Elementary, introducing young students to hands-on conservation and transforming a portion of their schoolyard into a living classroom filled with native trees and plants.
GRANITE PARTNERS
In 2025, Granite Partners demonstrated their deep commitment to local conservation by supporting Great River Greening financial and with a hands-on seeding event at Quarry Park Nature Preserve in Waite Park. As part of Great River Greening’s broader woodland restoration efforts at this well-loved site, Granite Partners rallied their team to help launch a large-scale native seeding effort that will support long-term forest health and biodiversity.
Their support didn’t stop there. In celebration of Earth Day, Granite Partners helped plant trees through their participation in an annual Earth Day Run event: one tree will be planted for every youth who participated in the 1K fun run—resulting in nearly 400 new trees taking root in Minnesota. We are especially grateful for the leadership of Meg Hickey McGuire, Granite Partner’s Investment Director and a dedicated member of Greening’s board of directors.
ECOLAB
Ecolab continues to lead by example, putting their commitment to water stewardship, climate leadership, and sustainability into action across Minnesota. In 2025, Ecolab employees joined us in the field for multiple hands-on volunteer events, helping restore habitat and strengthen ecosystems in the communities where they live and work.
Their partnership goes beyond volunteerism. The Ecolab Foundation has provided consistent grant and sponsorship support since 2012, helping us expand restoration efforts across the state. We are especially grateful for the leadership of Amie Hedblom, Ecolab Director, Corporate Sustainability Marketing and a dedicated member of Greening’s board of directors.
Ecolab was honored with our 2022 Headwaters Award, and they continue to exemplify what it means to be a corporate steward of the environment—combining financial support, employee engagement, and visionary leadership to help build a more sustainable Minnesota.
SHRED RIGHT
In 2025, Shred Right brought new energy to their environmental commitment by launching a collaborative Spring Cleaning Shred Event with Kowalski’s Markets, raising funds to support Great River Greening around Earth Day. This innovative effort gave community members an easy way to securely dispose of documents while directly contributing to local conservation work.
Shred Right’s long-standing partnership with Greening—through both the company and the Mason Family Foundation—continues to shine through our Future Stewards Program, which provides students with hands-on, nature-based learning experiences. These moments in the field help young people understand ecosystems, grow their confidence, and build a personal connection to the land.
KOWALSKI’S MARKETS
Kowalski’s Markets continues to show that everyday choices—like bringing a reusable bag—can lead to meaningful environmental change. Through their Bag Donation Program, guests receive a 5¢ refund for every reusable bag they bring, with the option to donate that refund to Great River Greening. These small acts add up, and thanks to the generosity of Kowalski’s and their guests, this program continues to raise vital support for local conservation.
In 2025, Kowalski’s expanded their environmental commitment by partnering with Shred Right for a Spring Cleaning Shred Event, giving community members a safe and sustainable way to dispose of documents while raising additional funds for Greening around Earth Day.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES
Winnebago Industries continues to champion access to the outdoors for all—a goal that closely aligns with Great River Greening’s mission. In 2024, Winnebago Industries provided vital general operating support, helping advance our core programs: restoring natural lands, expanding urban green spaces, growing tree canopies, and educating Minnesota’s next generation of environmental stewards.
Their support goes beyond funding. Last year, Greening staff partnered with the Winnebago Industries team to co-create our popular Seeds on a Stick activity, blending environmental education with fun, hands-on engagement. These seed packets were later shared with hundreds of Minnesotans at the State Fair, inspiring people of all ages to connect with native plants and pollinator habitats.
MINNESOTA TWINS
This year, the Minnesota Twins stepped up to support Great River Greening through the Twins x Thrivent “At Bat for Impact” campaign, highlighting our work alongside other local nonprofits building stronger, greener communities.
Thanks to this partnership, Greening is being featured throughout the summer—including in-stadium visibility at Target Field—and receiving direct support through both fan voting and a matching gift opportunity powered by Thrivent.
We’re grateful to the Twins for helping bring conservation into the spotlight and rallying support for a healthier, more resilient Minnesota.
THE TORO COMPANY
The Toro Company brought a team of employees out to celebrate Earth Day with Great River Greening—and the impact was immediate. Inspired by the experience, The Toro Company Foundation committed to partnering with Greening to volunteer on Earth Day every year through 2030 - a first-of-its-kind commitment for us.
This multi-year partnership reflects a deep belief in the power of hands-on stewardship and long-term investment in community-based conservation.
CONNEXUS ENERGY
Connexus Energy supported Great River Greening in advancing large-scale wetland restoration at one of Minnesota’s most treasured public lands: the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. Through grant support, Connexus is helping to combat invasive hybrid cattail across more than 900 acres of wetland, improving habitat quality for nesting and migrating birds—especially waterfowl—and restoring native plant diversity. The result is healthier wetlands, better wildlife habitat, and a more resilient ecosystem at a site visited by thousands each year.
RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT
RBC supported Great River Greening’s tree planting initiative this past year, ensuring folks who live in communities with limited tree cover get access to future shade, all through trees! RBC’s investment will ensure future shade, cooler temperatures, and cleaner air and water for these communities.
TENNANT FOUNDATION
The Tennant Foundation has long supported Great River Greening’s youth education programs, helping us engage students—especially in North Minneapolis—in hands-on restoration and environmental learning experiences. Whether it's through classroom collaboration or outdoor restoration days, Tennant’s continued investment helps young people build meaningful connections with nature and become the next generation of environmental stewards. We’re grateful for their belief in this important work.
Many thanks to the generous support of the following additional companies. These partners support Great River Greening through special event sponsorship: Stoel Rives LLP and Fox Rothschild LLP. Thank you to Thomas Braun, Environmental Partner at Stoel Rives, and JT Schuweiler, Partner at Fox Rothschild, both dedicated Great River Greening board members.
We can’t thank you enough for supporting Minnesota’s great outdoors.
Thank you to our 2025 Annual Event Sponsors!