Environments throughout the world make communities and ecosystems distinct, sustainable, and economically productive. North Dakota is no different. The environmental landscape of North Dakota is varied and complex and is closely tied to the public health, the natural environment, and economic development in North Dakota. As a largely rural state known for its agriculture, elements such as air, water, and soil quality;  climate and climate change; land use; and chemical exposure have always been important pieces of the environmental puzzle. With the recent oil boom receiving national attention, waste management, transportation of products, and oilfield environmental incidents have started to move to the forefront of conversations and decision-making throughout the state. In addition to "usual" environmental suspects, the environmental picture of North Dakota consists of a vast array of other factors, such as built environment factors like access to amenities and access to healthy food.

All aspects of society, individuals; businesses; communities; and local, state, and tribal leaders, need access to accurate data and information to drive decision-making when evaluating and managing health and environmental risks and creating associated environmental policies. In reaching out to our communities to discover what would best meet the data needs of the state, North Dakota Compass will evaluate how to further develop the  Environment topic as we continue to move forward. In the near future, we will convene a meeting and welcome the input from environmental experts in the state to ensure that North Dakota Compass has the most accurate environmental information and data for its users.  

 As we explore the varied environmental landscape of our state, we are pleased to share two very different initiatives working with two very diverse aspects of North Dakota's environment.

 In this month's For Discussion column, Nick Ybarra shares how his organization,  Legendary Adventures New Discoveries (L.A.N.D.), is working to bring attention to the Maah Daah Hey Trail by hosting mountain bike races with the hope that the use and reputation will keep this Badlands, non-motorized trail from disappearing all together.

Malini Srvastava and Troy Raisanen of efargo, outline the three major ways energy can be reduced, and discuss how efargo, a University-Utility-City partnership, is working to reduce energy use in the City of Fargo in this month's Ask a Researcher.