Fauna
Growing up to 100 ft in length and 200 tons, this endangered mammal is the largest confirmed species of animal to have ever existed.
What is
the (Antarctic) Blue Whale
Although many flowers display Heliotropism, this flower gained its name by following the sun in its early stages. They also taste delicious.
What is
the Sunflower
This colorless, odorless gas makes up the majority of greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a biological waste product of respiration.
What is
Carbon Dioxide
This English primatologist was a vocal activist throughout her entire life and won many awards, she's most famous for her work with chimpanzees in the Gombe.
Who is
Jane Goodall
Its iconic, chilling cry can be heard throughout many of Minnesota's 11,000+ lakes and is the state bird. In some depictions, it also shoots lasers out of its eyes.
What is
the Common Loon
Reaching speeds of 242 mph, this bird is the fastest animal we know, using talons as clubs to slam into its prey with the force comparable to a rifle.
What is
the Peregrine Falcon
This plant causes deep rashes and allergic reactions in over 75% of the population. Its iconic catchphrase states "leaves of three, let them be".
What is
Poison Ivy
Nearly repaired in a stunning act of global cooperation banning PFPs, this layer of Earth's stratosphere is mostly composed of O₃ and helps block harmful radiation.
What is
the Ozone Layer
100 years old and going strong, this British natural historian has an iconic voice for narrating documentaries. He's also been knighted twice.
Who is
Sir David Attenborough
Famous for its hiking trails and birding opportunities, our city of Bloomington hosts the National Wildlife Refuge headquarters of this river valley.
What is
the Minnesota River (Valley)
Hitting the big screen in 2001 for the third installment of Jurassic Park, this dinosaur has a sail on its back and recently gained a new species within its genus.
What is
Spinosaurus
This tree was heavily used by the Ojibwe people for their homes, canoes, containers, writing, and medicine. Its flakey, pale bark is easy to spot throughout the North.
What is
(Paper) Birch
These eons-old sheets of ice are rapidly melting, raising global sea levels. They also create unstable lakes resulting in floods like the 2026 Nepal–Tibet floods with a death toll of 1.4k and rising.
What are
Glaciers
This Aussie MCU actor with a hammer has helped magnify conservation efforts, including to reintroduce Tasmanian devils into Australia for the first time in 3000 years and partnering with Oceana.
Who is
Chris Hemsworth
Spanning 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams, this is Minnesota's only National Park.
What is
Voyageurs National Park
Known for it's medicinal blue blood and being shaped like a horse's hoof, this "crab" has survived all of Earth's five major mass extinction events.
What is
the Horseshoe Crab
This fast-growing organism is often mistaken for a plant, although being a type of algae. They create key habitats along the Pacific coast for many species of marine animals, most famously sea otters.
What is
(Bull) Kelp
This international treaty adopted by 194 countries agreed to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The United States pulled out earlier this year.
What is
the Paris Agreement
This Gen Z activist from Sweden has gained international recognition for her advocacy in geopolitics and conservation. From human flotillas to solo protests, she was named Person of the Year by TIME in 2019.
Who is
Greta Thunberg
Minnesota rests on several divides in ecological zones, resulting in this number of major biomes existing within the state.
What is
Four
Coniferous Forest, Deciduous Forest, Grassland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands
Often described as smelling like buttered popcorn, this Southeast Asian member of the suborder "Feliformia" has a prehensile tail and is also called the "Bearcat"
What is
the Binturong
This genus of orange mushrooms that taste like poultry can be found right here in the woods of Bloomington. (Don't eat unfamiliar things in the forest)
What is
Chicken of the Woods
This is the process of using biological/living organisms to detoxify, remove, or break down pollutants and other hazardous and persistent substances.
What is
Bioremediation
This French oceanographer's iconic series "The Undersea World of _____ _____" has captivated young minds on marine conservation. He also co-invented the first SCUBA.
Who is
Jacques Cousteau
Growing up to 150 ft and 400 years old, these evergreen trees were designated as Minnesota's state tree in 1953. Their cones take 2 years to grow and their wood has been a lumber source for the nation for hundreds of years.
What is
The Red/Norway Pine