Green Notes September 2015

Green Notes

SEPTEMBER 2015


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GreenNotes covers environmental news, programs and events from Hennepin County.

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New Green Disposal Guide tells you the best way to get rid of your stuff

Green Disposal Guide

Yard waste, mattresses, paint or fluorescent light bulbs — some stuff just needs to go. But fall cleanup can be frustrating if you don’t know how to get rid of your unwanted stuff.

Hennepin County has done the heavy lifting with the new online resource, the Green Disposal Guide. The Green Disposal Guide offers a range of disposal options, from recycling to donation to disposal, while also providing tips on shopping smarter, living greener and creating less waste.


Fifth graders learn about natural resources and protecting the environment at NatureFest

NatureFest

More than 200 fifth graders learned about nature and actions they can take to protect the environment on September 23 and 24 at NatureFest, an environmental education field day hosted by Hennepin County and the Three Rivers Park District at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park.

Students waded into the Mississippi River to collect small organisms that helped them determine the health of the river, learned how to fish, caught insects in sweep nets and decorated reusable bags with their pledge to protect the environment.

For many students, it was their visit to the Coon Rapids Dam, and it was the first field trip ever for some students. One teacher said the field trip hit on many standards that they don’t get to spend enough time on while also being a lot of fun.

For more information, contact Stacey Lijewski at Stacey.lijewski@hennepin.us or 612-348-9938.


Interactive map helps students understand water quality data

River Watch map

Students involved in Hennepin County’s River Watch program can now compare the data they collect to historical data for their stream monitoring site and learn about how land use may impact water quality using the recently launched Hennepin County River Watch interactive map. River Watch is a hands-on environmental education program in which teams of youth assess the health of local streams by identifying and quantifying the stream's biological community. There are currently 18 sites being monitored in the county.

For more information, contact Mary Karius at mary.karius@hennepin.us or 612-596-9129.


Grant funding available for natural resource protection, environmental education and contaminated land cleanup

Natural resource protection grants

Funding is available for projects that preserve and restore natural resources in Hennepin County. The goal of the grants is to support projects that implement best management practices that preserve and restore critical habitats, reduce erosion and reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment going into the county’s lakes, streams and rivers. Government agencies, organizations and landowners are eligible to apply. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on November 6. Learn more and apply.

For more information, contact Jim Kujawa at james.kujawa@hennepin.us or 612-348-7338.

 

Environmental education grants

Funding is available for projects that engage residents in learning about environmental issues and empower them to take action to reduce waste, increase recycling, reduce hazardous waste, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, protect and restore natural areas, and improve air and water quality. Non-profit organizations, park districts, and private and public schools are eligible to apply. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on November 6. Learn more and apply.

Information meetings

Learn more about Green Partners environmental education grants and get feedback on project ideas at an upcoming information meeting:

  • Tuesday, October 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the North Regional Library in Minneapolis (grant program information and time to talk to program staff will be provided from 4 - 5 p.m. after the Green Partners Networking meeting)
  • Tuesday, October 20 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Nokomis Library in Minneapolis
  • Tuesday, October 20, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Walker Library in Minneapolis

For more information, contact Patience Caso at patience.caso@hennepin.us or 612-348-9352.

 

Contaminated land cleanup grants

Funding is available for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites. Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund grants provide funding for a variety of environmental assessment and cleanup activities at contaminated sites where the added environmental costs hinder site improvements or redevelopment. Applications are due November 2. Learn more and apply.

For more information, contact John Evans at john.evans@hennepin.us or 612-348-4046.


Study of construction and demolition waste identified opportunities for recycling and reuse

Results from a study assessing the capacity to divert construction and demolition waste from landfills in the Twin Cities metro area are now available. The study assessed the capacity for diversion through recycling and reuse of materials including wood, concrete, cardboard, metals, asphalt shingles, sheetrock, vinyl siding, textiles, carpet, brick and more.

Hennepin County commissioned the study because the amount of construction and demolition waste being landfilled is significant. More than 810,000 tons of construction and demolition materials were generated in 2013, and 30 percent of those materials were recycled according to figures from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency cited in the study.

See the key findings and or download the full study. Hennepin County will be using the findings of the study to determine actions that should be considered to realize opportunities to increase diversion of construction and demolition materials from landfills.

For more information, contact Paul Kroening at paul.kroening@hennepin.us or 612-348-6358.


In the news

“Wish cycling” results in problem materials in recycling carts

“Wish cycling” is a term that refers to the practice of tossing items that cannot be recycled in the recycling bin and hoping they somehow get recycled. Problematic items include plastic grocery bags, shredded paper, electronics and batteries. Some of these items have drop-off options, but should not be put in your recycling cart at home. Learn more in the Star Tribune and on WCCO.


Events

Green Partners Networking Meeting

Organics recycling programs are becoming more widely available to residents and at schools, organizations and businesses. Learn about organics recycling at the next Green Partners Networking Meeting. The meeting will be an opportunity to hear about organics recycling programs from Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis staff, learn about the materials accepted in organics recycling programs, and discuss outreach strategies with fellow environmental educators.

The meeting will be held October 13, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m. (optional networking from 4 to 5 p.m.) at the North Minneapolis Regional Library.

Networking meetings are open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP to Patience Caso at patience.caso@hennepin.us or 612-348-9352.

 

Information meetings for the 2016 Master Water Stewards program

Master Water Stewards

The Master Water Stewards program is a volunteer program for community leaders that identifies, trains, certifies and supports stewards to implement projects on residential and commercial properties that reduce water pollution from urban runoff and educate the community. Hennepin County has supported the development of the Master Water Stewards program through several Green Partners environmental education grants. Information sessions for the 2016 Master Water Steward course will be held October 6, 26 and 27, November 17 and December 8. Learn more.

 

Winter parking lot and road maintenance workshops

Snowplow

Chloride is increasingly becoming a pollutant of concern in Minnesota’s lakes, streams and rivers. Several watershed organizations that Hennepin County partners with are holding upcoming workshops that will address best practices for maintaining safe roads, parking lots and walkways in the winter while reducing salt use.

 

Fix-It Clinics

Fix-It 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.

Upcoming Fix-It Clinics are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

  • Saturday, October 10 from noon to 4 p.m. at St. Anthony Village Hall and Community Center
  • Saturday, November 14 from noon to 4 p.m. at Folwell Park Rec Center in Minneapolis
  • Saturday, December 12 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Maple Grove Community Center

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.

 

Managing horse stables and farmland to protect water quality workshops

Horse stable land management techniques field day

Learn about managing horse facilities, including manure and pastures, in ways that keep horses, people, and local waters clean and healthy at the upcoming Horse Stable Land Management Techniques Field Day. This free event hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension and Hennepin County will highlight a variety of projects including clean water diversions, gutters and manure management.

The workshop will be held Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Foxwood Farm, 15120 S. Diamond Lake Rd in Dayton. RSVP to Karl Hakanson at khakanso@umn.edu or 612-624-7948.

 

Women Caring for the Land workshop

Women who own farmland are invited to an upcoming workshop that will be an opportunity to learn more about land conservation, connect with local resources, and have peer-to-peer discussions about land management and conservation goals. The workshop includes an informational session and bus tour of conservation practices on local farms.

The workshop will be held Thursday, October 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the City of Corcoran Community Room, 8200 County Road 116 in Corcoran.

The workshop is free but registration is required by contacting Beth Kallestad at bethcrokallestad@gmail.com or 507-301-9900.


Green Tip

Choose to Reuse this Halloween

Halloween is a time for carving pumpkins, dressing up in spooky costumes, trick or treating and this year – choosing to reuse! Hennepin County has partnered with 50 reuse retailers to offer Choose to Reuse coupons with discounts through October, just in time for Halloween.

Check out what Choose to Reuse retailers offer instead of buying new this Halloween: