|
In this issue
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/foype81
http://www.mnstatefair.org/entertainment/eco_experience.html
The following
is adapted from the websites above.
The Eco
Experience is a project of the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency. It is a part of the agency’s dedication to
achieving three important goals:
-
Helping Minnesotans attain and
act on environmental knowledge to support healthy ecosystems
- Encouraging Minnesotans to buy
more green products and services
- Providing support for Minnesota
businesses to produce green products or provide green services by
eliminating the use of environmentally harmful substances
The Eco
Experience is a huge exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair, filled with hands-on
activities, demonstrations and resources. The annual event is open during the
12 days of the Minnesota
State Fair. This year's dates are August
21-September 1, 2014. New exhibit highlights include the following:
-
The world's largest wad of paper: Every year Minnesotans throw
away a BILLION pounds of paper that could be recycled. Check out a very
visual 10 foot wad of paper and love seat made of paper for your fair
photo opportunities.
-
Minnesota's changing climate
exhibit:
Climate Change is impacting Minnesotans now. Knowing what
to expect can help us prepare for changes and improve the resiliency of
our communities. The exhibit also explains how to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions at work, school and on the road.
-
Nature adventure play yard: Research is showing us that
Nature Deficit Disorder in children has negative impacts on health and our
environment. Visit this play area to get ideas for your own yard that
unplug your child (and you).
-
High-performance construction
methods for new homes:
Are you building or buying a new home? Check out this huge new exhibit
about new construction that outlines four different approaches to
high-performance building.
-
Pollinators in the garden:
Without pollinators, many fruits and vegetables would not be available.
Field Outdoor Spaces has designed a garden space in front of the Eco
Experience with straw bale gardens, urban gardens and beehives (no real
bees in the hive). Relax and be inspired to create your own garden to
support pollinators, no matter where you live.
-
Healthy fish choices: Learn about how mercury gets
into fish, what the MPCA is doing to reduce
mercury emissions, and how to make healthy fish choices for your family.
Also learn about different species of fish and how they compare in mercury
level. Kids can put on a puppet show and tell their favorite fish stories.
Visit www.EcoExperience.org
for more highlights and a full list of exhibitors.
Back to top
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/releases/2014/nr20140728-farmermkt.aspx
The following is adapted from the website above.
Minnesota is joining farmers markets across the country celebrating National
Farmers Market Week August 3-9, 2014. The week increases awareness of the
benefits of farmers markets and the agricultural products farmers provide.
Minnesota has more than 175 markets offering an abundance of farm-fresh, healthy
products, which provide important interactions between farmers and
communities.
To kick off the week, Minnesota Grown is celebrating with the Holmes City
Farmers Market and hosting a Minnesota Grown Challenge between state employees
and market representatives on Saturday, August 2. The Holmes
City Market won the honor to host the kick-off through a Minnesota Grown contest
for farmers markets held state-wide earlier this summer. The market has
many unique offerings with 25 vendors and weekly breakfasts and demonstrations.
Consumers can shop the market on Saturday mornings from 8:30 – 11:30 through
October.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown Program has
published a directory of local producers for more than 30 years and has seen
tremendous growth by farmers markets across the state. In 1994, the printed
Directory had 43 markets and now the online Directory boasts 176 markets.
In addition to the kick-off celebration, many Minnesota markets will be
hosting special events and giving out prizes during Farmers Market Week. Contact
your local farmers market to find out more or find market locations at www.minnesotagrown.com.
Back to top
http://www.hamline.edu/business/cpal/infusing-sustainability-workplace/
The
following is adapted from the website above.
Offered
this fall by Hamline University, Infusing
Sustainability in the Workplace is a new, cross-sector certificate for
professionals in the public, private and nonprofit sectors that work in
sustainability, planning, management, operations, environmental services,
public works, energy planning and economic development or corporate
sustainability. Via the course, participants will learn how to assess where
their organizations are now and how to make a difference in the area of
sustainability, and will learn to be change agents and to build capacity within
themselves and their organizations.
For
more information or to register, see the website above.
Back to top
The
following is adapted from a MnDOT news release.
Bicyclists
planning routes throughout the state can now use an editable, interactive
online map called Cyclopath to help customize their trips, according to the
Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Cyclopath
is designed to find bicycle routes using ratings from other bicyclists.
Originally launched in 2008 in the Twin Cities, the tool is now available
statewide.
Bicyclists
can select the type of route they prefer, including routes that favor trails
and bikes lanes, routes with the highest user ratings or with the shortest
distance between two points. Bicyclists keep the map up-to-date by entering
personal “bikeability” ratings and sharing information about travel experiences
and road conditions. This shared data improves information for other
bicyclists.
Cyclopath
also contains MnDOT’s complete road network and most of its trails. As new
bicycle infrastructure gets added, bicyclists can edit the map to reflect
changes to the bicycle network as soon as they happen.
The
map is available for desktop computers at http://cycloplan.cyclopath.org.
Android users can download an app from the website.
For
more information, go to http://cyclopath.org.
Back to top
The following
is adapted from Home Efficiency News, a monthly e-newsletter published by Minnesota Department of Commerce's Division of Energy Resources.
Minnesota consumers now have a new energy efficiency home
improvement loan program that allows more people to access low-interest,
unsecured loans and make important energy efficiency upgrades, thanks to a
partnership of the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency.
The Commerce Department provided $1 million for a loan
loss reserve that allows Minnesota Housing to lend up to $10 million through
its Fix Up Loan Program for Minnesota homeowners to make home energy
improvements. The loans will help pay for upgrades like new high efficient heating
and air conditioning systems, new water heaters, insulation and air sealing,
new light fixtures, and replacement windows. Homeowners who qualify may borrow
up to $15,000 at a 4.99 percent interest rate without placing a lien on their
property.
The maximum loan amount is $15,000. Minnesota Housing
expects that $10 million in available resources can fund 750 to 1,000 loans.
The energy savings from the program will be measured over the course of the
loan program.
More information is available at http://www.mn.gov/commerce/energy/media/newsdetail.jsp?id=207-137268
Back to top
The
following is adapted from a SmartGrowth@epa.gov email.
EPA is
seeking applications for the 2015 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement.
The competition is open to public-sector, private-sector, and nonprofit
organizations that have used smart growth principles to improve communities
environmentally, socially, and economically. EPA seeks to recognize urban,
suburban, and rural communities that have used smart growth approaches that
involve a broad variety of stakeholders, are innovative, and could be
replicated elsewhere.
The categories for 2015 are:
- Built Projects
- Corridor or Neighborhood
Revitalization
- Plazas, Parks, and Public Places
- Policies, Programs, and Plans
- Overall Excellence in Smart Growth
The
application deadline is 5 p.m. Eastern Time (4 p.m. Central) , Friday, September 5, 2014.
The application can be submitted
by a public-sector, private-sector, or nonprofit organization, but all
applications must be co-signed by a public-sector partner.
Applications must be submitted
electronically using the 2015 application form.
Find further information and the application form at http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards.htm.
Back to top
The following is adapted from a July 28th, 2014 email.
To recognize
and celebrate leadership, education, research, policies, or practices that
develop, advance, or implement climate adaptation strategies in Minnesota, the
Climate Adaption Partnership (CAP) is initiating Climate Adaption Awards in
2014. The awards will recognize the achievements of individuals, institutions,
organizations and industry in the field of climate adaptation in Minnesota.
The 2014
awards will be sponsored by Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc; the Insurance
Federation of Minnesota; the Minnesota Department of Health; and the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources. One award will be presented in each of the
four following categories:
-
Individual
– any individual that has offered significant leadership, provided education,
developed or implemented strategies, conducted research, or otherwise made an
impact in the field of climate adaptation in Minnesota. Contributions should
have extended over a period of years and achieved impacts across a breadth of
audiences or disciplines.
-
Organization
– any non-profit, team, community of faith, youth group, neighborhood
association, etc. that has achieved significant progress or implemented
practices to advance climate adaptation in Minnesota.
- Institution
- any local government unit, state or federal agency, educational institution,
etc. that has achieved progress or implemented significant practices, programs,
or policies that advance climate adaptation in Minnesota.
-
Industry
– any private sector, for-profit business or company that has implemented
significant practices, programs, or policies to advance climate adaptation in
Minnesota.
Anyone may
nominate an individual, organization, industry, or institution for
consideration (CAP membership not required). In 2014 the awards will be
presented at the November 6, 2014 CAP conference, to be held at the Hyatt Hotel,
Minneapolis, MN.
Nominations
are due by close of business on Friday, September 5, 2014. Please send nominations to Barb Liukkonen, Liukk001@umn.edu. The CAP Awards Committee
will review nominations and identify recipients by mid-October, so nominators
and awards winners can be notified to participate at the CAP Conference on
November 6. If you wish to keep the nomination a secret, please let
Barb know that in advance.
The
nomination shall consist of a short letter of one to three pages describing the
candidate’s efforts and accomplishments in climate adaptation, together with
two letters of support (from other people). Examples or supporting materials
may be submitted, but are not required. You may self-nominate. If you have
questions about the award or which category best suits your nominee, contact
Barb Liukkonen, Liukk001@umn.edu.
Back to top
http://rainready.org
The following
is adapted from the website above.
As America faces more of the challenges of climate
change, water management for homes, businesses, and neighborhoods will become
increasingly important. Taking action to protect property through natural,
low-cost, and collective solutions will also protect our water resources, like
lakes and rivers.
Rain Ready is an initiative of the Center for
Neighborhood Technology (CNT). Rain Ready offers a suite of policies and
practices to help residents, communities, and states plan for
weather events associated with global climate change. The website provides
resources and information, including policies, guides, factsheets, and videos,
for becoming more resilient to too much or too little rain in the most
cost-effective ways possible.
For more information on the initiative, see the website above.
Back to top
http://ecoamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/eA_Beyond_Storms_and_Droughts_Psych_Impacts_of_Climate_Change.pdf
The following
is adapted from the website above.
Beyond
Storms and Droughts: The Psychological Impacts of Climate Change overviews the likely psychological
impacts of climate change, from stress, anxiety and depression to increases in
violence and aggression and loss of community identity. It discusses the
pathways through which these and other impacts on human well-being will arise,
why some communities will be hit harder than others, and how psychological
impacts interact with physical health. The report also includes guidance to
help engage the public on climate change through the lens of mental health and
well-being, as well as a list of tips for preparing and strengthening
communities to withstand these impacts.
This report
is a joint project between ecoAmerica and the American
Psychological Association,
and was produced in collaboration with psychologists Dr. Susan Clayton (College
of Wooster) and Dr. Christie Manning (Macalester College).
To download
the report or a one-page summary, visit the ecoAmerica website above.
Back to top
http://icma.org/en/Article/104740/Advancing_Social_Equity_in_Local_Sustainability_Planning
The following
is adapted from the website above.
The Local Governments, Social Equity, and
Sustainable Communities report, researched and written by the International
City/County Management Association (ICMA) and Arizona State University, describes
the current activities, leading practices, and achievements of sustainable
communities. Such communities were created through a comprehensive, integrated
approach to sustainability supported by inclusive engagement, equal access to
services, and livable neighborhoods.
The 92-page report
examines the extent to which social equity activities are included within an
integrated approach to sustainability, how social equity is defined, and the
level of commitment of local governments in addressing equity issues. The
analysis examines all local governments that responded to the ICMA 2010 survey,
focusing in particular on the characteristics of the minority of governments that
are very active in social equity. Additional information used includes
information from a 2012 follow-up survey focused on social equity activities
and nine case studies of communities identified from the 2012 follow-up survey.
To download
the report, click on the website above.
Back to top
See http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/jobs.cfm
for these and other jobs and internships.
- Capitol
Region Watershed District: BMP Inspector (closes August 15)
- Friends of
the Boundary Waters Wilderness: Fall Internship
(closes August 15)
Back to top
See http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar.cfm
for details on these and other events.
-
8/1 Land Stewardship Project’s Annual
Twin Cities Summer Potluck
-
8/3 Summer Clothing Swap with Do it
Green! Minnesota
-
8/4-8/6 2014 Summer Institute for Climate Change
& Energy Education
-
8/7 Metro Blooms 7th Annual
Garden Party – “Putting Down Roots”
-
8/7 MPRB Ecological System Plan –
Community Advisory Committee Meeting
-
8/8 Great River Greening Night with the
St. Paul Saints
-
8/9 Mounds Park Walk & Talk – River
History & Landscape Revival
-
8/21 SE CERT Community Solar Public Forum
-
8/21-9/1 Eco Experience at the 2014 MN State Fair
Back to top
This email
newsletter is sent today to 3,679 sustainability professionals and others
interested in building sustainable communities, most of whom live in Minnesota.
It was prepared by staff in the Sustainable Development Unit of the Resource
Management and Assistance Division at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA).
We hope that
you find this information useful; please send us an e-mail at nextstep@state.mn.us if you need help
using the resources presented here. (We will not receive replies sent to this
e-mail message.) You are encouraged to enter events and jobs directly onto the
NextStep web site at http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us.
Receiving
this message forwarded from someone else? To directly receive the NextStep
e-newsletter, sign up at http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/join.cfm.
Contact the
NextStep Newsletter editor, Erin Barnes-Driscoll, at nextstep@state.mn.us.
To
unsubscribe, to set subscriber preferences, or to subscribe to other MPCA
e-newsletters, see the links below.
| 
