AUSTIN &8212; Minnesota Environmental Partnership, the statewide coalition of more than 80 conservation and environmental organizations, has hired Merlene Stiles as the field organizer for Austin and Albert Lea, with an office in Albert Lea.

As a field organizer, Stiles will coordinate with and support the work of MEP member groups in local communities. She will also work with MEP&8217;s other field organizers throughout Minnesota to educate and create support for MEP&8217;s legislative priorities.

&8220;People in this part of the state know that Minnesota is a special place &8212; they know that our lakes, rivers and streams; our forests and natural areas; and our great outdoors are a part of our way of life and who we are,&8221; said Stiles. &8220;To make sure Minnesota stays special, Minnesotans understand that we have a duty to be good stewards of our great outdoors, to protect it and restore it so we can pass it on to our children and grandchildren.&8221;

Stiles plans to build support among community members for MEP&8217;s Protect Minnesota&8217;s Future 2008 Legislative Priorities, including:

– Great Outdoors & Heritage Amendment: Letting Minnesota voters choose to dedicate funding for clean water, wildlife, cultural heritage and natural areas.

– Clean Energy Minnesota: Leading the transformation to a clean, modern and efficient energy system, including a program to limit and lower global warming pollution from multiple sectors of Minnesota&8217;s economy; adoption of &8220;clean car&8221; global warming pollution standards for new passenger vehicles; and funding for Reinvest in Minnesota – Clean Energy, a working lands biofuels program to help Minnesota farmers expand production of alternative energy crops.

– Transportation Choices 2020: A regionwide transportation solution that creates a stable and dedicated funding source for Minnesota&8217;s transportation needs, including the expansion of transit options in Greater Minnesota.

– Outdoor Traditions Investment: Smart capital investments to support purchasing natural areas; entering voluntary land preservation agreements; improving facilities essential to protecting and improving water quality; protecting and restoring natural areas; providing people with access to our lands, waters, and outdoor recreation opportunities; and expanding the production of renewable energy crops.

&8220;Living in a place that has healthy air, clean water, beautiful lakes and rivers, abundant fish and wildlife, and great parks and trails is important to me, and to a lot of Minnesotans,&8221; said Stiles.

Formed in 1998, MEP is dedicated to protecting and restoring Minnesota&8217;s lakes, rivers and streams; forests and wilderness areas; clean air and natural areas.

More information is available at www.MEPartnership.org.