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ABOUT GREEN NOTES
GreenNotes covers environmental news, programs and events from Hennepin County.
Please take a few moments to read our stories. Share your feedback and ideas for protecting the environment.
Also check out archived issues.
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 Hennepin County has developed a natural resources strategic plan to help guide the county and its partners in responding to natural resource issues and developing internal and external policies, programs and partnerships that improve, protect and preserve natural resources. This is thecounty's first comprehensive strategic plan focused on the protection and preservation of natural resources.
The county will be providing opportunities to give feedback on the plan through meetings and online surveys throughout June and July. The first opportunity to learn about the plan and provide feedback is at the next Hennepin Natural Resources Partnership Forum on Tuesday, June 2 from 1 to 3:15 p.m. at the Ridgedale Library in the RHR room.
For more information, contact Randy Anhorn at randy.anhorn@hennepin.us or call 612-348-2027.
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 Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Hennepin County by becoming an AIS detection volunteer. Volunteers will learn how to look for signs of AIS at a training session on June 30 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol in Spring Park. The training will focus on early detection of AIS where management options may still be available.
Ideal volunteers are people who already spend time on or near lakes in Hennepin County, including people who fish, boat, live by or walk near lakes.
For more information, contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us or 612-348-4378.
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Hennepin County has funding available to property owners to cover a portion of the cost for sealing wells that are no longer in use and have potential to contaminate groundwater. Unused and unsealed wells can pose a threat to our drinking water by acting as a channel between the surface and the aquifer below. If you have a well on your property that is not in use, it will need to be sealed or put back into use at some point.
For more information, contact Greg Senst at greg.senst@hennepin.us or 612-348-4659.
 Hennepin County has funding available to help businesses, non-profit organizations and institutions start or improve recycling and organics recycling programs. Grant funding can be used to purchase recycling containers and equipment and cover some of the costs of hauling services and improvements to loading docks and waste enclosures. Applications for the current funding round are due June 15.
Not sure how to get started? Staff is available to answer questions about the application, review project ideas, evaluate potential costs and savings, and offer resources.
For more information, contact Andre Xiong at andre.x.xiong@hennepin.us or 612-543-1316.
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 During May, 34 schools that participate in Hennepin County’s organics recycling program closed the loop by planting gardens with compost made from kitchen and cafeteria waste collected from their own organics-recycling programs. The compost was made from food scraps and non-recyclable paper that were collected in the fall and processed by The Mulch Store.
By using compost in their gardens, students learn first-hand how their organics recycling efforts can replenish soils with vital nutrients. Many of the schools used the compost in garden that are growing vegetables to be served during school lunches, and some of the schools use the garden projects to help meet science standards.
Explore the resources and assistance available from Hennepin County for implementing recycling programs in schools. For more information, contact Kira Berglund at kira.berglund@hennepin.us or 612-596-1498.
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 In May, 13 high school teams and four middle school teams competed in the metro-area envirothon, a natural resources competition that tests students’ knowledge of aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife. Teams from Hopkins finished first and second and advanced to the state competition.
 One of the teams from Hopkins won the state competition and will compete for college scholarships in the national envirothon in July in Missouri. Congrats to all of the participating teams!
For more information, contact Stacey Lijewski at stacey.lijewski@hennepin.us or 612-348-9938.
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In the News
Finance & Commerce is recognizing 28 construction, renovation and adaptive reuse projects across the state as their Top Projects of 2014. Projects were judged for their degree of difficulty, creativity in design, innovative construction techniques, cooperation among contractors and management, and sustainability efforts.
Six of the projects recognized received funding to clean up contamination through the Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund. The Environmental Response Fund projects are the LifeSource headquarters, Lime Apartments, Surly Brewery, Target Field Station, Washburn Center for Children and West Broadway Crescent apartments.
 The Minnesota Twins say they have the greenest ballpark in Major League Baseball thanks to their switch this season to serving all food and beverages in compostable or recyclable containers. Twins fans can now divert leftover food and food containers for composting in addition to recycling plastic and aluminum bottles and cups. Hennepin County has partnered with the Twins since Target Field opened to expand and improve their recycling and organics recycling program. Learn more on WCCO.
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Events
Tuesday, June 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Continuing Education and Conference Center on the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus.
Join waste management professionals, civic leaders, non-profit managers, researchers and interested residents at a one-day conference that digs into the question: “How do we close the loop on organic wastes?”
The conference will include talks by national experts, presentations on ongoing research at the University of Minnesota, and panel discussions among leading local experts. Participants will then help shape this vision of future organic waste management in a facilitated discussion, followed by a social hour. See the full agenda and register.
Tuesday, June 2 from 1 to 3:15 p.m. at the Ridgedale Library in the RHR Room
 Learn about the Hennepin County natural resources interactive map, provide feedback on the natural resources partnership and hear a presentation on the draft of the county's draft natural resources strategic plan. Everyone is welcome to attend, especially those from cities, watersheds, agencies and organizations involved with or interested in natural resources management and protection.
RSVP to Stacey Lijewski at stacey.lijewski@hennepin.us or 612-348-9938.
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 Hennepin County organizes collection events to give residents more convenient local options for disposing of household hazardous wastes. Materials accepted include unwanted automotive wastes, household, lawn and garden products, batteries, mercury-containing items and more.
Collection events are held Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The following collection events are scheduled for 2015:
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- June 11 – 13 in St. Louis Park
- July 9 – 11 in northeast Minneapolis
- August 20 – 22 in south Minneapolis
- September 17 – 19 in Shorewood
Learn more about event locations, guidelines and materials accepted.
June Fix-It Clinic to feature a bike repair clinic
 Fix-It Clinics provide an opportunity to receive free, guided assistance from handy volunteers on disassembling, troubleshooting and repairing small household appliances, clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more. The June Fix-It Clinic will feature special resources to repair bikes, so come get your ride fixed up!
Upcoming Fix-It Clinics are scheduled for the following dates and locations:
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- Saturday, June 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Redeemer Center for Life Church in Minneapolis
- Saturday, July 11 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran Church in Robbinsdale
- Sunday, August 9 from noon to 4 p.m. at Arc’s Value Village in Bloomington
Volunteer fixers who have skills in electrical, mechanical or electronics repair, wood working, sewing or general tinkering are essential to making the clinics successful.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Nancy Lo at nancy.lo@hennepin.us or 612-348-9195.
Green Tip
 Noxious weeds are plants that need to be controlled because they can cause harm to people, animals and ecosystems.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture maintains a list of noxious weeds that are regulated under the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law. Noxious weeds in Minnesota include wild parsnip, purple loosestrife, Canada thistle, garlic mustard, buckthorn and poison ivy. See a guide to identifying Minnesota’s noxious weeds.
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Property owners are responsible for the control of noxious weeds on their property. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture recommends the following steps to control and manage noxious weeds:
- Regularly monitor your property for noxious weeds as controlling these plants is easiest and most effective when infestations are small.
- Use cultural, mechanical, biological or chemical methods to control or eradicate noxious weeds. Methods includes encouraging the growth of desirable plants, using herbicides on stands of established noxious weeds or using biological controls such as insects or livestock.
- If you are mowing and collecting the clippings, hand-pulling or digging, plants can be composted onsite by selecting a specific area of the property that is used only for noxious weeds and other noxious plants.
- Report infestations of noxious weeds to the local weed inspector, who can be contacted through your city hall.
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