BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Experts and political leaders will gather in Bloomington to shape a vision for Minnesota’s environmental future.

The Minnesota Environmental Congress on Friday will culminate six forums held around the state last year that drew hundreds of citizens. Officials say input gathered from the forums will help guide Gov. Mark Dayton’s administration and the Environmental Quality Board in addressing Minnesota’s environmental and energy challenges and opportunities.

EQB Chairman Dave Frederickson says the top environmental issues citizens targeted at the forums included silica sand mining, copper-nickel mining, water quality and groundwater depletion, climate change and renewable energy, and wolf hunting.

Dayton will open the congress, followed by many of Minnesota’s top environment and energy experts. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Bloomington.

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