This is part of a series highlighting MCN members across the state, featuring a vast array of nonprofit focus areas, and celebrating the myriad ways nonprofits enrich lives.
With rugged hills, deep river valleys, and large swaths or forest, it’s not surprising that the Driftless Region, the Southeast corner of Minnesota, is home to an environmental stewardship nonprofit like Happy Dancing Turtle. MCN member Happy Dancing Turtle (HDT) is dedicated to growing good stewards of the planet for the benefit of generations to come. Through environmental stewardship programs like Nature Clubs, EcoCamps, and their new Homestead Stewards Collective, they are honoring and preserving the land, while growing deep roots into their community. You can read about upcoming programs in this Q&A with Executive Director Quinn Swanson.
What’s one success story from the last year that you’re proud of?
Happy Dancing Turtle hosts an annual sustainable and resilient living event called Back to Basics; we celebrated the 20th year of this event in early February with the largest attendance yet! It’s tremendous to have an event as long running and well loved as B2B! With workshops, keynote, vendor fair and more it is one of our (and attendees!) favorite days of the year.
What’s new or coming soon at HDT? Anything you’re looking forward to?
We’re deep in planning for summer which is a terrifically busy time! Each year we hold EcoCamps (nature-based day-camps) in Pine River, Minnesota and Trempealeau, Wisconsin. The HDT demonstration and production gardens in Pine River will once again hold Open Garden times for visitors to wander and engage with garden crew this growing season. Additionally, we have been hosting swaps, most recently craft supplies and upcoming animal care supplies. These are fun ways to clean out items that are no longer right for you but may be perfect for someone else and they keep items out of the waste stream/landfill! The swap is free and afterward, remaining items go to local organizations or thrift stores.
What do you want people to know about HDT that they might not already know?
We are dedicated to inspiring wonder and empowering change, helping youth through adults take steps toward a more resilient future. In addition to our home-base in North Central MN (Pine River, MN) we have a hub of work in the Driftless Region with an office in Winona, MN and programs in the surrounding communities.
What do you think HDT’s impact is on the local community?
Happy Dancing Turtle is a trusted resource and partner in local foods and regenerative agriculture, waste reduction, youth environmental education and nature-based programming, and sustainable living education. We’re proud to be an asset in each community we serve.
You can learn more about Happy Dancing Turtle at www.happydancingturtle.org.