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Green Partners provides updates about environmental education resources, tools, programs, grants and events to our environmental education partners.
Hennepin County has the following free environmental education resources available to partners.
Hennepin County Environmental Education & Outreach Team
Angie Timmons
Alisa Reckinger
Anita Urvina Davis
Kelly Wilder
Mary Karius
Patience Caso
Please forward this email to interested individuals and encourage them to sign up.
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 Nearly 80 percent of school waste is recyclable or compostable! School recycling programs also educate future generations about the importance of waste reduction, recycling and environmental stewardship. To help make school recycling programs successful, Hennepin County has free recycling signs and labels available that we are aiming to get into every classroom in the county. County staff is also available to help schools set up and improve their recycling programs.
Order signs and labels through our online order form, and email Andre Xiong or call 612-543-1316 for more information and to request assistance.
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On February 5, KARE 11 began airing an 11-week series called the Great Green Challenge. Each week, they are tackling a different aspect of going green, such as recycling, reducing waste and buying green products. The segments will air every Tuesday at 5 p.m. and will be posted to KARE 11's Great Green Challenge web page.
Grants awarded for environmental education projects
On February 14, the Hennepin County Board awarded funding to 11 organizations for environmental education projects through the Green Partners Environmental Education Program. The organizations will implement projects that empower residents to reduce waste, increase recycling, reduce toxicity, conserve energy and protect water quality. Learn about the organizations and their projects.
Get free project support and supplies through the Green Partners Seed Group
Organizations participating in the Green Partners Seed Group receive support and resources to plant the seed of environmental awareness and action in their community. Groups may receive free activity supplies, including reusable tote bags, non-toxic cleaner spray bottles and literature, to engage people in environmental education activities. Groups may also take an environmental education field trip with a county-provided bus service.
Applications for the Seed Group are accepted at any time. In 2012, eight organizations participating in the Seed Group engaged more than 1,000 people in environmental education activities. Learn more and apply to be a Seed Group partner!
Green Partners Branch Group mid-project update
 Hennepin County awarded funding totaling $48,000 to four organizations in spring 2012 to implement innovative environmental education projects through the Green Partners Branch Group. The organizations have since implemented a wide variety of activities to engage residents of all ages in taking environmental actions. Learn more about these projects in the Green Partners Branch Group Mid-Project Update Report.
For more information about the Green Partners Environmental Education Program, email Patience Caso or call 612-348-9352.
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Funding is available through the Community POWER (Partners on Waste Education and Reduction) program for projects that educate and actively engage residents in reducing waste, reusing and properly disposing of hazardous waste. Grants of up to $5,000 and $12,000 are available. Apply online at RethinkRecycling.com/grants by April 1, 2013.
Learn more by attending an informational meeting on Tuesday, February 26 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Roseville Public Library.
For more information, contact Laurie Gustafson at CommunityPOWER@RethinkRecycling.com or 651-252-1487.
Through March 31, residents who dispose of a mercury-containing item at a Hennepin County Drop-off Facility will receive a $5 Menards gift certificate from Covanta Energy as a thank you for helping to keep mercury out of the environment. Mercury in the environment is a concern because exposure to it can be harmful to humans and wildlife.
Is your organization planning an event for Earth Day? Staff from Environmental Services is available on Earth Day, or at any other time of the year, to give presentations, staff tables or share information on a wide variety of environmental topics.
To request that Environmental Services staff attend your event, email Anita Urvina Davis or call 612-348-6848.
 Applications are being accepted for 2013 Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) volunteers. WHEP volunteers receive training on wetland monitoring then work under the direction of a team leader to collect data on the quality of wetlands - no prior experience necessary!
A newsletter article and social media posts for the WHEP program are available to promote this opportunity.
For more information, email Mary Karius or call 612-596-9129.
Events
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The next Green Partners Quarterly Networking Meeting is on Wednesday, February 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. (with optional networking at 1 p.m.) at the Hennepin County Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway in Brooklyn Center. |
The meeting will be an opportunity to:
- Learn about energy education and engagement. Hear from community partners working on energy issues and how they are motivating behavior change and action.
- Explore the Green Partners Learning Trunks. Share new ideas and your expert advice to improve these important hands-on learning tools.
- Collaborate and network with fellow environmental educators.
Light refreshments will be provided. Networking meeting are free and open to the public, so please share the meeting information with anyone that may be interested. Please RSVP by February 25 to Patience Caso or 612-348-9352.
Residents with broken household goods or clothing in need of repair can get free, guided assistance on disassembling, troubleshooting and fixing their items at a Hennepin County Fix-It Clinic. |
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Fix-It Clinics are scheduled for the following dates and locations:
- Saturday, March 9, from noon to 4 p.m. at the TC Maker Hack Factory in Minneapolis
- Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Minneapolis Housing Fair, inside the Minneapolis Sports Center at the YWCA
- Saturday, May 11, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Hennepin County Plymouth Library
- Saturday, June 15, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Bloomington Center for the Arts
Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, wood working, and general tinkering are needed to make this initiative a success.
A newsletter article and social media posts, flyer and poster are available to promote the upcoming clinics.
For more information or to volunteer, email Nancy Lo or call 612-348-9195.
 The Recycling Association of Minnesota has scheduled event sales of rain barrels and compost bins throughout the Twin Cities in April and May, including in Minnetonka, Roseville, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. Rain barrels, available for $69, and compost bins, available for $55, must be pre-ordered on the Recycling Association of Minnesota website. A pick-up event must be selected when ordering.
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Homeowners can learn about simple changes they can make in the way they take care of their yards that will help keep our lakes, rivers and streams clean at a Metro Blooms Green Yards, Clean Water workshop. The workshop will cover a variety of green yard care practices, including proper use of fertilizers, disposal and reuse of yard waste, keeping sidewalks ice free, and capturing and reusing rain water onsite. Participants are also eligible for a low-cost onsite consultation and design drawing from a landscape design professional.
Workshops are scheduled in April, May and June at locations throughout the county, including in Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Minneapolis, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. See the schedule and register.
Factsheets and Articles
Spring is right around the corner, and with it comes yard waste and yard care season. Hennepin County has numerous resources available to promote proper disposal of yard waste and lawn maintenance actions that protect water quality. Order copies of brochures and factsheets for free at www.hennepin.us/literatureorderform.
Rethink Recycling develops newsletter articles and social media posts monthly on residential recycling topics. New articles available include:
Check out the 2013 communications calendar to find out what articles will be available this year.
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