Advocating for practices that preserve the environment

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Who we are

Welcome to our green community where passion for the planet meets solutions put in practice! Our mission is to advocate for sustainability in our community to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations. Learn more

Local Eco Topics

  • AVEA Guest Speaker: Senator Matt Klein

    Tuesday January 20, 2026 @ Galaxie Library Room L139

    4:30 - 5:30 p.m.


    AVEA is excited to announce that Senator Matt Klein, a proponent of clean energy, will be a guest at our next AVEA meeting on Tuesday January 20th to discuss data centers!

    Public concerns over data centers and their impact on water and environmental health have been exploding across the country. We have a unique opportunity to discuss the issue directionty with Senator Klein who is working with AVEA members to draft data center legislation with stronger environmental protections. Hope you can join us on January 20th!

    Click here for information from Conservation Minnesota on Senator Klein’s environmental voting record

  • People having a meeting with a laptop, notebook, and phone on a table.

    Sustainability Advisory Committee

    Apple Valley Eco Advocates support the creation of a Sustainability Advisory Committee to focus on issues related to our environment and natural resources - let our elected officials know if you agree!

    Here are links to our current advisory committees:

    Cemetery Advisory Committee

    Economic Development Authority

    Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

    Planning Commission

    Telecommunications Advisory Committee

    Traffic Safety Advisory Committee

    Urban Affairs Advisory Committee

  • Table displaying well data with columns for Well Name, Aquifer, Radium 226+228 Concentration (pCi/L), PFOS ppt, and PFOA ppt. Color coding indicates contamination levels: dark for over MCL, light over 50% of MCL, and no color for best condition. Wells from Jordan and Mt. Simon aquifers are listed, with data highlighting various contamination levels. Date: November 2024.

    Apple Valley's PFAS Problem

    Apple Valley has a growing PFAS problem. The consultant hired to study the issue ninths months ago provided their findings to City Council at the March 13th workshop. Two types of PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) as well as radium were measured. At least one toxin impacted each of the 20 wells that serve Apple Valley.

    Because 7 of our wells exceed the EPA’s current allowed limit of 4 ppt, the City is blending the well water to dilute the PFAS concentration to meet the current EPA standards - the blend has been tested between 3.2 and 3.9 ppt depending on the specific PFAS tested.

    This means if you are drinking untreated tap water, you are ingesting PFAS. A granular activated carbon system (GAC) or a reverse osmosis (RO) system can reduce exposure to PFAS.

    The EPA has lowered the limit to 0 in the future. No level of PFAS is safe! 

    Read more about the PFAS issue in Apple Valley and see the options the City is weighing at this link:

    https://cityofapplevalley.org/DocumentCenter/View/18222/Apple-Valley-Alimagnet-Draft-NRMP?bidId=

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Events

Woodland area with trees and fallen leaves during autumn.
A person in a yellow safety vest standing next to a pile of tree branches in a park with trees in the background.

Buckthorn Bust
September 2024

Venue
Alimagnet Park

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Buckthorn is a non-native species with devastating impacts to woodland health. According to the City of Apple Valley’s Draft Alimagnet Park Natural Resource Management Plan, buckthorn is approximately 4x more abundant in the park than any other single species surveyed. This allelopathic invasive is choking out native ground cover necessary for a healthy forest ecosystem and is impeding regeneration of new oak tree seedlings to replace those dying from disease. Removing buckthorn allows native species that make up a healthy woodland ecosystem - and natural areas help support human health and wellness!

Buckthorn busts are just one of our volunteer activities - you can find us around town at all sorts of events promoting sustainability.

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