EcoAlpha removed invasive plants along the shoreline of Lake Phalen. Their effort was aimed to protect the local ecosystem and promote the growth of native plants. Their hard work reduced the presence of foreign invasive species, allowing native plants to thrive. The event also fostered community involvement and environmental awareness. The volunteering event will have a lasting positive impact on the health of Lake Phalen's ecosystem. 

EcoAlpha members helped visitors at the Slice of Shoreview by monitoring organics recycling stations. Their efforts contributed to the recycling of 536 pounds of organic material, which would have otherwise ended up in landfills or incinerators. This accomplishment not only reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to having three cars off the road for a year, but also set an example of environmental responsibility for large and significant fairs and events. 

Rivoli Bluffs Farm and Restoration Site in Saint Paul, Minnesota, was turned from a polluted area into an urban farm with the help of the community. The land, located on historic Dakota land, had been polluted by past industrial use. EcoAlpha planted native plants that help pollinators and improve the soil. They engaged the community to learn why these plants are important, encouraging everyone to work together to keep Rivoli Bluffs healthy and beautiful. 

EcoAlpha organized a community cleanup at Lake Ann Park, where volunteers came together to pick up litter and make the park look better. The event not only made the park cleaner and nicer to visit, but it also got the community involved in taking care of the environment. Through their efforts, EcoAlpha helped people feel responsible and proud of caring for local green spaces, making sure Lake Ann Park will continue to stay a welcoming and beautiful place for everyone to enjoy. 

EcoAlpha participated in Anoka County District’s Monarch butterfly monitoring project. They identified prairie plants and searched for Monarch eggs and caterpillars. The data collected will help determine if there are enough plants to support Monarchs or if more need to be planted. The data will also contribute to a national dataset, helping conservationists better understand and protect the Monarch butterfly. This effort supports the creation of strategies to ensure the survival of Monarchs and their habitats. 

EcoAlpha’s work at Feed My Starving Children was a great way to engage the community and help people in need and support sustainable development. We packed 6,048 meals, which will feed 17 kids a daily meal for a whole year at a cost of $1,753.93. These meals don’t just provide food—they also support programs that help communities grow stronger and more independent and be more sustainable. Here is a message of appreciation we received: "The meals you packed ... were shipped to: Food for the Poor in Panama on Thursday January 09, 2025;(and) Children's Cup in Honduras on Wednesday January 08, 2025. Precious children will be eating a nourishing meal soon because of you. Thank you. You've made an incredible difference."

EcoAlpha’s Reuse Winter Drive was a meaningful way to support those in need while promoting sustainability. We collected over 300 gently used items, including coats, hats, boots, pants, sleeping bags, shirts, and kitchen essentials like pots and pans. These items were donated to Sharing and Caring Hands to help homeless and low-income individuals stay warm and cared for during the winter. By giving these items a second life, we engaged the community to reuse resources to reduce waste, which helped both people and the environment. 

EcoAlpha surveyed over 90 Minnesota residents to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and interest in learning about pollinators. While most recognized bees and butterflies, fewer identified birds, bats, and insects like flies and beetles as pollinators. Additionally, some respondents believed pollinator populations are declining, while others were unsure. The survey also found many respondents showed strong interests in hands-on activities, social media education, and information brochures to learn more about pollinators, highlighting the need for targeted outreach to enhance pollinator awareness and conservation efforts.

EcoAlpha held an outreach event at the Mall of America about the importance of bees and how to protect them. The event included fun activities, like paper cutting, and informational flyers with key facts about pollinators. EcoAlpha members also talked with visitors, answering questions and encouraging discussions about conservation. The event helped people understand the threats bees face and how they can help, such as planting flowers that attract pollinators and using fewer pesticides. Many participants showed interest in getting more involved, making the event a great success in spreading awareness and inspiring action. 

EcoAlpha spearheaded a collaborative effort with nine other organizations from 9 countries in the Global Art and Heritage Campaign. This initiative aims to advocate for the protection and preservation of nature through the integration of arts and cultural heritage, fostering global awareness and engagement in environmental conservation. 

We received 52 outstanding submissions from 12 countries/regions across 4 continents, including the United States, Egypt, Italy, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zambia, Rwanda, Taiwan, and India.

Each submission is an essential part of this diverse, powerful collection and these amazing submissions remind us that storytelling, art, and cultural expression are effective tools in the global effort for environmental awareness and justice.

EcoAlpha organized a youth-led park cleanup at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the city's iconic landmark. It brought together passionate young volunteers to care for one of the city's most iconic green spaces. The event focused on removing litter, promoting environmental stewardship, and encouraging a deeper connection between youth and nature.

This initiative was proudly featured as part of the Nature Everywhere Day and Earth Day events, hosted by the Children & Nature Network and Hennepin County. It was highlighted as a model of youth environmental leadership and community engagement. Through this event, EcoAlpha not only helped beautify a beloved public space, but also inspired young people to take ownership of their local environment and become active stewards of nature.

In May 2025, EcoAlpha youth members proudly presented at the Nature Everywhere Conference, the world’s largest gathering dedicated to connecting children with nature. They presented their original research on public attitudes toward pollinators, engaging with attendees to gain valuable feedback on how to strengthen and expand their work. Their presentation emphasized the importance of youth-led, community-supported action and received enthusiastic praise as a model of how young people can lead with purpose and impact in the global movement for nature access and biodiversity conservation. 

EcoAlpha organized an outreach event at the 2025 Peony Festival where they distributed pollinator-friendly flower seeds to the public for free. The seed packets included flowers that support bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators. EcoAlpha encouraged families to plant pollinator habitats in their own gardens.

Through this initiative, EcoAlpha aimed to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and pollinator conservation. The event inspired youth and community members alike to take simple, meaningful steps toward sustainability.

EcoAlpha hosted a mini-concert at MontegoBlu Restaurant, where talented youth members delivered captivating musical performances on piano, guitar, cello, and in a quartet ensemble. While entertaining attendees through music, the group simultaneously engaged the audience by sharing valuable information about pollinators and their essential role in environmental sustainability. This creative blend of music and outreach successfully increased community awareness about pollinator conservation, highlighting EcoAlpha's dedication to combining arts with environmental education. 

EcoAlpha members delivered an educational presentation to 2nd and 5th grade students at Minghua School, highlighting the important role bees play in pollination, food production, and maintaining biodiversity. Using engaging visuals and clear explanations, the youth educators helped students understand why bees are essential to the environment and how threats like habitat loss and pesticides put them at risk. The presentation sparked curiosity and thoughtful questions from students, encouraging them to consider ways they can contribute to protecting pollinators and supporting a healthier planet.