The Minnesota Environmental Partnership kicks off its efforts this year in Austin.

The coalition of more than 80 Minnesota environmental and conservation organizations has decided to work on safe streets and safe waters this year, as its two main initiatives.

The public is invited to see two public speakers and a free screening of a short film about sulphide mining, “Precious Waters” Thursday. The event is at Riverland Community College in the West Building, Room A240, from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.

“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s really exciting to have the kick-off in Austin,” said Merlene Stiles, the coalition’s southern Minnesota field organizer.

Before the 20-minute film is shown, Christine Goepfert a Minnesota field organizer for Transportation for America will speak about Complete Streets.

“This is a theme about building and designing streets so people are safe biking, walking or riding electric scooters,” Stiles said.

Following the film Betsy Daub, policy director for The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness will discuss the film and lead a question and answer session.

Refreshments follow the program.

The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and Phi Theta Kappa are sponsoring the screening.

To learn more about Complete Streets go to www.T4America.org. To learn more about The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness go to www.preciouswaters.org.