Past BLUE Activities

Monday, April 29, 2024, Rosenmeier Forum about copper-nickel mining.

The forum will be held in the Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes College (CLC) at 7 p.m. CLC is located at 501 West College Drive, Brainerd.

The forum will present opposing viewpoints on copper-nickel mining. Speaking at the forum will be Julie Lucas, executive director of MiningMinnesota, and Kathryn Hoffman, CEO of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.

The forum is a free event open to the public.

Northland Arboretum Earth Day Cleanup and Volunteer Appreciation Party 2024

14250 Conservation Dr, Baxter, MN 56425, (218) 829-8770

Earth Day Film Presentation, Saturday, April 20, 2024

In observance of Earth Day (April 22), Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace and Brainerd Lakes United Environmentalists (BACP-BLUE) will host a film presentation of the 2019 documentary "The Story of Plastic" in the Brainerd public library's large conference room on Saturday, April 20. The film presentation is scheduled to last from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Brainerd public library is located at 416 South Fifth Street, Brainerd, across from Mickey's Pizza and Subs.

"The Story of Plastic" provides an historical perspective on plastic pollution. The film examines the major role the fossil fuel industry plays in creating plastic pollution. "The Story of Plastic" is critical of plastic recycling as a solution to plastic pollution. "The Story of Plastic" documents the growing public awareness of plastic pollution and the movement demanding a curtailment of plastic production and waste.

Snacks and beverages will be offered. Everyone is welcome to attend "The Story of Plastic" film presentation. The film presentation is a free event. Please join us.

April 22, 2023

Greetings, Environmentalists,

You are cordially invited to attend our observance of Earth Day 2023 at 1:30 pm on Saturday April 22, 2023, in the large meeting room of the Brainerd Public Library (414 S. 5th St, Brainerd, MN, 56401-3509). We will be showing an environmentally themed film and serving light refreshments. Please join us.

Stop Dirty Banks in Brainerd! Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.

Community Event · Volunteer organized
Stop Dirty Banks in Brainerd! organized by Third Act Initiative, Inc.
Location: Wells Fargo Bank, 424 W Washington St, Brainerd, MN 56401

The Day of Action will demand banks like Citibank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase stop investing in fossil fuels and support renewable energy projects instead. Protests and vigils will be held outside of banks supporting fossil fuels projects throughout the nation. More information about Third Act's Stop Dirty Banks Day of Action can be found at thirdact.org/national-day-of-action/.

Brainerd Lakes United Environmentalists will hold a rally in front of the Wells Fargo Bank at the corner of Hwy 210 (Washington St.) and NW Fifth St. in Brainerd, MN. Our rally will be one of dozens being held across the country in conjunction with Third Act's "Stop Dirty Banks: Day of Action".

Let your voice be heard! Bring your own sign from home or use one of ours! Join us on Tuesday, March 21 at 4:00 p.m.!


Earth Day, Saturday, April 23, 2022, Brainerd Lakes Earthday Community Fair


Brainerd May Day March, Sunday, May 1, 2022, 1:00 pm


BLUE has endorsed the 2nd Annual Brainerd May Day March organized by the BLA/DSA and starting at 8th & Laurel, join us there.


Brainerd Area Joint Democracy Meeting, February 16, 2022, at 7 p.m

A second Brainerd Area Joint Democracy Meeting is scheduled for February 16, 2022, after the first meeting on January 19, 2022. The Brainerd Area Joint Democracy Meeting is a meeting between Lakes Area Move to Amend (LAMTA), Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace (BACP), Brainerd Lakers United for the Environment (BLUE), Brainerd Lakes Area Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and Brained Lakes Pride. The Brainerd Area Joint Democracy Meeting discusses how participating organizations can get the word out about their work to the Brainerd area community and possibly hold joint events in the future.


Brainerd Area Joint Democracy Meeting, January 19, 2022, at 7 p.m

The Brainerd Area Joint Democracy Meeting was a meeting between Lakes Area Move to Amend (LAMTA), Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace (BACP), Brainerd Lakers United for the Environment (BLUE), Brainerd Lakes Area Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and Brained Lakes Pride. The Brainerd Area Joint Democracy Meeting discussed how participating organizations can get the word out about their work to the Brainerd area community and possibly hold a joint event in the future. Another meeting was scheduled for February 16, 2022.


BLUE Meeting, February 11, 2021

Our regular monthly meeting was held on Thursday, February 11th at 6:30 p.m. That meeting was again held via Zoom due to the pandemic. Here is the agenda: BLUE 2021-02-11 Agenda.htm


"Stop Line 3" Vigil in Brainerd

"Stop Line 3" vigil in Brainerd at 6th & Washington on Saturday January 30, 2021 from 3 pm until 4 pm. About 20 people took part in the vigil wearing masks and maintaining social distancing as precautions against Covid-19. We heard plenty of honks in support of stopping this destructive and useless oil pipeline.


PROTEST ENBRIDGE'S LINE 3 IN BACKUS, MN SATURDAY 1/23/2021!

Hey Water Protectors (and Treaty Protectors)! Water Protector event concerning Line 3 Saturday, January 23, 2021, 11am - 2 pm at the Paul Bunyan Trailhead Parking Lot (100 Front St S, Backus, MN 56435) A few blocks west of Hwy 371.

It was a great opportunity to show up and help save Minnesota from this ridiculous LINE 3 pipeline. Our last peaceful protest brought 300 people together. Peacefully. There is reason to believe that we can win this battle with the change in administration in Washington. Also, a court decision on a delay in construction while Treaty issues are decided is expected in the next few weeks!

Public outpourings are noticed by courts and other decision makers so we have to demonstrate our numbers, logic and peaceful intent. That happened in Backus. About 100 folks showed up with "Stop Line 3" signs and dressed like true Minnesotans in wintertime and enjoying our civic duty to save our climate, water quality and the promised Treaty rights of Indian communities.


October 21, 2020, Candidates' Environmental Forum PSA


BLUE Meeting, May 14, 2020

Greetings BLUE,

Our next scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday evening, May 14, 2020, 6:30 PM, will be held on-line via ZOOM. Please use the link and password below to join us. The meeting will be limited to 40 minutes by the free version of the ZOOM application so please join on time and be prepared to present any information you wish to share in a timely fashion. An agenda is attached to this invitation. This morning I did apply BLUE as a signer of the MEP letter to the MN state senators per yesterday's mailing. I hope all of you and those you care for are surviving the pandemic in good shape. I hope to see you on Thursday evening.

If any of you would care to contact your legislators in regard to the 'Our Mississippi, Our Future' bonding initiative, send an email via the link: Our Mississippi, Our Future. At this link, you’ll find more background on our priorities and you can write your email right on the page! Just fill in all the information at the top so your legislator knows the message is coming from a constituent. Then, you’ll see a section where you can edit the subject line of your email. Feel free to make changes there. There’s also a place in the body of the email where we’re asking folks to personalize their message by sharing why this issue’s important to them. Once you’ve customized your email, you’ll be able to send it right from the web page. A pamphlet (jpeg) summarizing the proposals in this initiative is available. The legislative session ends in a week, so submit your letter as soon as you can. It took me about five minutes to do and felt so good! Thanks for joining me in making your voice heard for healthy forests, healthy grasslands and clean water!

Be Safe and Stay Well

Dean Borgeson
BLUE Co-chair


July 4th, 2019, Brainerd 4th of July Parade

Brainerd Lakers United for the Environment participated with Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace in the Brainerd 4th of July Parade.


Note: This event has been cancelled due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

Saturday, April 27, 2019, 10:00 AM, Earth Day Celebration


Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 12:00-1:00 PM: Chris Conry - 100% Campaign

Chris Conry, the director of the 100% Campaign, will give a presentation in Central Lakes College's Chalberg Theatre on Wednesday, April 24. The presentation is scheduled to last from 12 to 1 p.m. Central Lakes College (CLC) is located at 501 West College Drive, Brainerd. The presentation is a free event open to the public.

The presentation will discuss how the 100% Campaign is working to make Minnesota the next state to commit to 100% renewable, fossil-free electrical power while creating jobs and protecting communities. The 100% Campaign is a coalition of over 40 Minnesota environmental organizations, community groups, and labor unions.

The 100% Campaign is organizing a "cross-sector, statewide, multi-racial, intersectional campaign to build an equitable clean energy economy which works for everyone in Minnesota." The 100% Campaign wants to transition to clean energy sources as quickly as possible in a just, equitable manner. For more information about the 100% Campaign, please visit https://www.100percentmn.org

CLC professors Scott Foster and David Kobilka organized Chris Conry's CLC presentation. The CLC Sociology, Geography, Earth Science, Spanish, and Economics Departments are hosting the presentation. Brainerd Lakers United for the Environment (BLUE) is a co-host of the presentation.

For more information about Chris Conry's CLC presentation, please contact Scott Foster at scott.foster@clcmn.edu or (218) 855-8193.


Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 6:00-7:30 PM: Chris Conry - The 100% Clean Energy Future


Saturday, January 19, 2019, 1:30 PM: Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL)

Brainerd Lakers United for the Environment (BLUE) will host a presentation by Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) on Saturday, January 19. The CCL presentation will be held in the Brainerd public library's large conference room. The Brainerd public library is located at 416 South Fifth Street, Brainerd, near Brainerd High School and across from Mickey's Pizza and Subs.

The CCL presentation is scheduled to last from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. After the presentation ends at 2:30 p.m., there will be a question and answer session until 3 p.m.

The CCL presentation will discuss the proposed Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (S. 3791/ H.R. 7173) and the how the law, if enacted, would help curb climate change. The CCL presentation will discuss proven ways to speak effectively and powerfully about climate solutions to elected officials, business leaders, neighbors, and friends.

CCL is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization empowering people from all walks of life to become effective advocates for a livable world. For more information about CCL, please visit www.citizensclimatelobby.org.

The CCL presentation hosted by BLUE is a free event open to the public.


Saturday, September 22, 2018, 10:00 AM: How Climate Change is Affecting the Brainerd Lakes Area


Saturday, September 8, 2018, 10:00 AM: Rise for Climate!


Saturday, July 21, 2018. 9:30-10:30 AM: Zero Hour Youth Climate March

Corner of Washington St. and 6th St. in Brainerd


July 4, 2018, 4:00 PM: Brainerd July 4th Parade


Saturday, June 23, 2018, 10 AM: From the Ashes

Brainerd Public Library, 416 S 5th St, Brainerd

Sponsored by Brainerd Lakers United for the Environment (BLUE) and Brainerd High School EcoClub.


Saturday, May 5, 2018, 10-11:30 AM: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Brainerd Public Library


Wednesday, April 4, 2018, 12 PM-2 PM: Minnesota's Climate Future, with Kenny Blumenfeld

CLC Chalberg Theatre, 501 West College Dr., Brainerd, Minnesota 56401

Members of the public are invited to hear Kenny Blumenfeld, Senior Climatologist with the MN Department of Natural Resources, as he speaks about Minnesota's climate future at Central Lakes College. Questions and discussion will follow.

Sponsored by Brainerd Lakers United for the Environment (BLUE), MN350, and Central Lakes College.


Saturday, March 17, 2018, 1:30 PM-3:30 PM: "Chasing Ice" - Film and Discussion

Brainerd Public Library, 416 S 5th St, Brainerd, Minnesota 56401

This beautiful film shows the decline of glaciers and ice sheets as a result of climate change. The transition to clean energy has begun and needs to be accelerated. Know the challenges and be part of the solution!

Sponsored by Brainerd Lakers United for the Environment (BLUE) and Brainerd High School EcoClub