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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.
Get a link for sharing Green Notes in email and social media by checking out the archived issues.
Email Hennepin Environment
Please forward this email to interested individuals and encourage them to sign up.
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 Landowners and local government agencies looking to learn more about their properties and make land use decisions can use the Hennepin County Natural Resources Interactive Map to find detailed information on vegetative cover, natural resource corridors, soils, wetlands, floodplains, geology, topography and the ecological significance of an area.
The online map application was recently updated with the following enhancements:
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More user friendly design: The map layout is now more user friendly with a mobile-responsive design, better parcel-based results, improved print capabilities, and drawing and measuring tools.
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Additional data: The map includes additional links to natural resources information, multiple years of aerial imagery, and additional data layers including emerald ash borer infested sites, conservation easement boundaries, and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency impaired waters.
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Opportunity to provide feedback: The map now includes a link to a survey where users can share their experience with the map and provide feedback.
For more information, contact Dave Thill at david.thill@hennepin.us or 612-348-0124.
Business recycling grants due February 15
 Funding is available to businesses, organizations and institutions to start or improve recycling and organics recycling programs. Funding can help with the purchase of recycling containers, equipment and hauling services and minor improvements to loading docks and waste enclosures. Staff is available to answer questions about the application, review project ideas, evaluate potential costs and savings, and offer resources to start or improve recycling and organics programs. Applications are due February 15. Learn more and apply.
For more information, contact Andre Xiong at andre.x.xiong@hennepin.us or 612-543-1316.
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School recycling grants due February 26
 Hennepin County has funding available to public and non-public, K – 12 schools for projects that implement or improve recycling and organics recycling programs. Learn more about the grant program and get feedback on project ideas at an information meeting on Tuesday, February 2 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Ridgedale Library. Grant applications are due by 4 p.m. on February 26. Learn more and apply.
For more information, contact Kira Berglund at kira.berglund@hennepin.us or 612-596-1498.
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Hennepin County recently awarded grants to cities, park districts, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups and other partners throughout the county for a variety of projects that will promote environmental stewardship and protect and preserve the environment.
Green Partners environmental education grants
 Grants totaling $150,000 were awarded to 15 organizations to implement projects that will empower residents to take action to protect the environment. Projects will engage more than 40,000 residents in recycling, composting, reducing waste, properly disposing of hazardous waste and protecting air and water quality. Projects will engage residents throughout the county, and many of the projects will engage underserved, harder-to-reach and youth audiences. Learn about the projects awarded.
For more information, contact Patience Caso at patience.caso@hennepin.us or 612-348-9352.
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Natural resources grants
 The county awarded eight grants totaling $257,500 for projects that will preserve, protect or improve natural resources and water quality. Grants were awarded through the natural resources grant program’s two options: Good Steward Grants for smaller projects that will improve water quality, enhance natural areas, and promote environmental stewardship to the community and Opportunity Grants for larger projects that will improve water quality or preserve, establish or restore natural areas with special consideration given to applicants who leverage external funding sources such as the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment funds or other funding sources.
Projects will install a variety of best management practices including bio-retention ponds, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, permeable pavers, green roofs and stormwater cisterns, as well as restore stream banks and shorelines. Learn about the projects awarded.
For more information, contact Jim Kujawa at james.kujawa@hennpin.us or 612-348-7338.
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 The City of Minneapolis will begin delivering carts in phase two of their organics recycling program in March. Residents living in the phase two areas must sign up by February 1 to receive carts in this rollout. Residents who sign up after February 1 may not receive their cart until July 2016. Find out what phase you are in by checking the organics recycling roll out map.
Sign up through the online form or by contacting by contacting Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling at 612-673-2917 or SWRcustomer@minneapolismn.gov.
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The Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to become certified for taking the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect water quality.
Participants that implement and maintain approved farm best management practices will be certified and obtain regulatory certainty for 10 years, which means that they are deemed to be in compliance with new water quality rules or during for the duration of their certification.
For more information, contact Randy Anhorn at randy.anhorn@hennepin.us or 612-348-2027.
Do it Green! Minnesota clothing swap
 Saturday, January 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Mount Olive Church, 3045 Chicago Ave S. in Minneapolis
Clean out your closets to swap your clean, gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories with others. The Do it Green! Minnesota clothing swap is a great opportunity to get rid of things you don't need and take home cool, new-to-you things!
All ages, genders, and styles of clothing welcome. Leftover clothing will be donated to charity. The event is free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted.
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Natural Resources Partnership meeting
Tuesday, February 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ridgedale Library, RHR Room in Minnetonka
Learn about the Metropolitan Council’s efforts to protect natural resources through lake and stream monitoring and assessment at the first Hennepin Natural Resource Partnership meeting of 2016.
The Hennepin Natural Resources Partnership provides a forum for a holistic and collaborative approach to managing and protecting our land and water. 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.
Fix-It Clinics
 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:
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- Saturday, February 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at Waite Park in northeast Minneapolis
- Saturday, March 12 from noon to 4 p.m. at Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners in Plymouth
- Saturday, April 23 from noon to 4 p.m. at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rec Center in south Minneapolis
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.
 American consumers buy, use and throw away billions of batteries every year. Some batteries contain toxic metals, such as cadmium, lead or mercury, which pose a threat to human health and the environment when batteries are improperly disposed. Fortunately, recycling batteries is easy. Take the following steps to protect the environment by recycling your batteries:
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Gather unused or unwanted batteries. Many products we use every day have batteries. Remember any item that makes sounds, lights up or turns on without being plugged in contains a battery. Common products that contain batteries include calculators, cameras, electronic toothbrushes, electronic games, fire and smoke detectors, flashlights and lanterns, hearing aids, power tools, radios, remote controls, toys and watches.
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Prepare batteries. Remove the batteries from the device. Place batteries in a plastic bag to prevent short-circuiting from loose batteries. If you cannot remove the battery, place tape over battery terminal on the item.
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Recycle batteries. Hennepin County accepts all types of batteries, including rechargeable, button and Alkaline, from households for recycling. The county has drop-off containers at some libraries, city halls, community centers and other sites. Hennepin County drop-off facilities in Brooklyn Park and Bloomington also accept batteries, Call2Recycle has drop-off sites for rechargeable batteries, and Minneapolis solid waste and recycling customers can place batteries in a clear plastic bag on top of their recycling bin on collection day.
Learn more about battery recycling and find drop-off options in the recently updated Battery Recycling Factsheet (PDF).
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