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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
Angie Ziobro
Christina Schmitt
Jessica Arika
Mary Karius
Patience Caso
Please forward this email to interested individuals and encourage them to sign up.
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 Funding is available through the Green Partners Environmental Education program for projects that empower residents to reduce waste, recycle, reduce household hazardous waste, conserve energy, protect natural resources, and improve air and water quality. Eligible organizations, which include nonprofit organizations, community groups, park districts and schools, can receive funding, resources, and training to provide environmental education.
Green Partners project proposals are due May 20, 2016, and projects will begin in September 2016. Learn more and apply.
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Information meetings
Attend an information meeting to get more information and feedback on your project ideas:
- Tuesday, May 3 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Brookdale Library in study room 1
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Tuesday, May 3 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the East Lake Library in the conference room
For more information, contact Patience Caso at 612-348-9352 or patience.caso@hennepin.us.
Resources to promote Earth Week
Hennepin County Environment and Energy has developed a series of social media posts to promote earth-friendly tips during Earth Week, April 17 - 24. Get our Earth Week posts and images to share these messages through your own communication channels. Remember to follow Hennepin Environment on Facebook and Twitter, and check out our other environmental education resources!
Additionally, Do It Green! Minnesota is offering free handout kits featuring a Food Print Guide, Home Water Audit Checklist, and Seed Saving Guide, as well as handouts on energy, pesticides and reducing trash. Some handouts are also available in Spanish. Past issues of the Do It Green! Magazine are available for free distribution as well.
If you are interested in a Do It Green! Minnesota Earth Day Kit or distributing guidebooks at an upcoming event, please contact Kristine Kvamme at kristine@doitgreen.org.
Green event resources
Make your next event greener with free, customized assistance from Hennepin County. Staff can help you create waste reduction plans, educate vendors, train volunteers and provide collection options for your event. Access the following free event planning resources:
- Portable recycling containers that can be borrowed for free to add recycling and organics recycling to events.
- Event recycling and waste reduction guide with steps to take before, during and after the event to make your waste reduction and recycling efforts a success.
- Green event resources including signage and sample letters to send to your vendors and presenters.
For more information, contact Carolyn Collopy at carolyn.collopy@hennepin.us or 612-596-0993.
Earth Day clean-up events
Celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up litter in your neighborhood and help protect the health of local lakes and streams.
Community resource fairs and workshops
Hennepin County Environment and Energy staff and volunteers will be at the following events to answer your questions on waste reduction and recycling, composting, land and water, household hazardous waste and more.
 Volunteer to monitor wetlands
Hennepin County is looking for volunteers to help assess water quality and the health our ecosystems through the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP). Adult volunteers with an interest in wetlands, bugs, plants and protecting water quality are needed. Volunteers do not need to have a science background or previous experience; Hennepin County provides all of the training, equipment, and leadership.
Volunteer applications will be accepted through June 15, 2016.
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 Get your youth group involved
Get your hands dirty and feet wet this spring with River Watch, a stream monitoring program for school classes and youth groups. The program provides a hands-on opportunity for students to learn about assessing water quality and how our actions influence the health of local lakes, rivers and streams.
For more information about getting involved in WHEP or River Watch, contact Mary Karius at mary.karius@hennepin.us or 612-596-9129.
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 Hennepin County is looking partner with reuse businesses and organizations to offered discounts in the 15th annual Choose to Reuse coupon book. Coupons are intended to promote reuse, attract new customers to your business, and reward loyal customers. Coupons will be valid held August 1 through October 31, 2016. Businesses and organizations that sell used goods and offer repair, rental, and trade-in services are eligible to participate.
The deadline to participate in the 2016 coupon book is April 6, 2016. For more information and to sign up, contact Kristin Pierskalla at kristin.pierskalla@hennepin.us or 612-348-4787.
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 The Minnesota Health Nurse Practitioners Clinic in Minneapolis will be improving their recycling program with the help of a Hennepin County business recycling grant.
Business recycling grants awarded
Hennepin County recently awarded grants to 22 businesses and organizations to start or improve recycling and organics recycling programs. A variety of businesses and organizations received grants, including an airline, apartment building, college, several congregations, a grocery store, a hospital and several clinics, various non-profit organizations, several commercial properties, and a few restaurants.
Applications for the next funding round are due by June 15, 2016. Learn more about the funding guidelines and application process.
For more information, contact Andre Xiong andre.x.xiong@hennepin.us or 612-543-1316.
Businesses recognized for their recycling efforts
Hennepin County recently recognized 15 businesses for their successful recycling efforts. The newest members of the Hennepin County Environmental Partners program all recycle materials like paper, metal, plastics and glass.
The additional businesses represent a variety of industries:
- Restaurants and food retailers: May Day Café, Pow Wow Grounds, Uncle Franky’s
- Congregations: Plymouth Congregational Church
- Health and beauty services: Jodi Baglien Wellbeing and Wisdom, Osseo Chiropractic Clinic, Twin Cities Natural Care Center, Stormy Lee Salon
- Retailers: Antique Alley, Osseo Savitt Paint, Sue’s Country Cottage
- Other businesses, nonprofits and services: Celia Studios, Dante Computer Revolution, North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce, Second Harvest Heartland
See all of the participating businesses on the Environmental Partners map. If you know of a business that deserves recognition for their recycling, waste reduction or organics recycling efforts, encourage them to become an Environmental Partner.
For more information, contact Nancy Lo at nancy.lo@hennepin.us or 612-348-9195.
 The City of Minneapolis will begin delivering organics recycling carts to residents who have signed up for residential organics recycling program this week.
The following resources are available to prepare people who have already signed up and to encourage others to participate:
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Interested in teaching your group or organization more about recycling? Create your own customized sorting activity with Hennepin County’s new do-it-yourself Recycling Sorting Activity guides. Groups can use the activity to sort through waste and decide which items are recyclable, compostable or trash.
Visit www.hennepin.us/environmentaleducation for more information.
 The Friends of the Mississippi River has a new program to organize storm drain stenciling outings, clean-ups, and presentations with youth groups in north or northeast Minneapolis along the Mississippi River Gorge in the Longfellow or Central neighborhoods in south Minneapolis.
Friends of the Mississippi River has a new program to work with youth groups to organize storm drain stenciling outings, presentations and clean-ups in North or Northeast Minneapolis along the parkway and Mississippi River Gorge in South Minneapolis. Using paint and stencils, volunteers mark storm drains with the message, "Keep 'em Clean, Drains to River!" and distribute educational door hangers to neighborhood homes and businesses.
This hands-on service activity is an excellent fit for groups looking for a fun, outdoor team-building experience. Learn more and plan a storm drain stenciling outing.
Adult and corporate groups can organize a storm-drain stenciling activity through the Minneapolis Department of Public Works.
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Green Partners Networking Meeting: Avoiding Gender Bias in Environmental Education
Thursday, May 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. (optional networking from 4 to 4:30 p.m.). Location TBD.
Join us to learn how to avoid gender bias in outdoor and environmental education. Hennepin County environmental educator, Angie Ziobro, will engage participants in interactive activities and discussions about gender bias in education. Participants learn how to identify, avoid and address gender bias in education and programming. 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.
Hazardous waste collection events
 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.
Eight collection events are scheduled throughout the county beginning in May. Collection events are held Thursday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. See the event schedule and get details about locations and materials accepted.
Spread the word: Download a flyer, social media posts, newsletter article and images to promote the hazardous waste collection events - find resources under current campaigns.
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Fix-It Clinics
 Come see what the Fix-It Clinic hype is all about at the next clinic on Saturday, April 23. Fix-It Clinics provide an opportunity for residents to get free, guided assistance from handy volunteers on disassembling, troubleshooting and repairing small household appliances, clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more.
Spread the word: Download a flyer, social media posts, newsletter article and images to promote the Fix-It Clinics - find resources under recycling and reducing waste, or share the recent feature on Hennepin County's new storytelling website.
Lend a helping hand: 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.
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Natural Resources Partnership meeting
Tuesday, April 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ridgedale Library
Learn about Minnesota's new buffer law at the next Hennepin Natural Resources Partnership meeting. Staff from the Board of Water and Soil Resources, Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Wright Soil and Water Conservation District will provide an overview of the buffer initiative and benefits of the new Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program.
The Hennepin Natural Resources Partnership provides a forum for a more 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.
Get ready for spring with a compost bin and rain barrel
 Get a compost bin
Hennepin County is selling compost bins to help residents get started composting fruit and vegetable scraps and yard waste in their backyards. Bins are 3’ x 3’ x 3’, made of cedar and wire mesh, and cost $45.
Pre-order a compost bin online for pick up at one of the following compost bin distribution events:
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- Saturday, May 14 at the Minneapolis Tool Library in NE Minneapolis
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Saturday, May 21 at the Midtown Farmer’s Market
Bins can also be purchased at the Hennepin County Drop-off Facility in Brooklyn Park during regular facility hours.
Spread the word: Download a flyer, social media posts, newsletter article and images to promote the compost bin events - find resources under current campaigns.
For more information, contact Kira Berglund at kira.berglund@hennepin.us or 612-596-1498.
 Capture and reuse rain water by purchasing a rain barrel
Installing a rain barrel allows you to capture rain water that can be reused on your lawn or garden and protect water by reducing the amount of stormwater runoff flowing into local lakes and rivers. The Recycling Association of Minnesota is offering rain barrels at discounted rates for pick-up at a distribution events in April or May in Minneapolis, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and other metro area locations. Learn more and pre-order a rain barrel.
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Need more info? Attend a rain garden and green yard workshop
Metro Blooms offers workshops for residents to learn simple changes they can make on their properties that helps protect clean water and create healthy habitats. The low-cost workshops include the latest information in healthy yard care practices, a do-it-yourself approach to rain garden design and installation, and an opportunity to receive assistance from landscape designers and Master Gardeners. Workshops are scheduled throughout April and May in Brooklyn Center, Champlin, Edina, Minneapolis and Plymouth. Learn more and RSVP.
Minnesota Association of Environmental Education conference and Arbor Day networking event
The 2016 Minnesota Association for Environmental Education (MAEE) annual conference “Grow in the Open” is scheduled for August 5 and 6 at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. The conference aims to nurture the growth of environmental educators in Minnesota through concurrent sessions, field trips, and a keynote presentation.
The call for presentations is now open for conference sessions that provide helpful information, program models and/or resources for participants, organizations and audiences. County staff are available to help you with your presentation proposal.
MAEE is also hosting an Arbor Day event to bring environment enthusiasts together for happy hour and networking. The event is Thursday, April 28 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Fulton Brewery, 414 N 6th Ave in Minneapolis.
For more information, contact Angela Ziobro at angela.ziobro@hennepin.us or 612-348-9850.
The following projects are being funded through the Green
Partners Environmental Education program. These groups have been busy engaging
audiences in taking action to protect the environment. For more information
about Green Partners grants, contact Patience Caso at patience.caso@hennepin.us
or 612-348-9352.
 Cycles for Change trains and educates youth leaders
Cycles for Change will begin training and educating young people as bicycle riders and leaders through their youth apprenticeship program this spring and summer. The program supports youth in learning bicycle mechanics, exploring careers in the bicycle and transportation field, and thinking critically about bicycling as a tool to promote healthy living and sustainable communities. The program has been successfully implemented at Cycle for Change’s St. Paul shop since 2011 and will now expand to their shop in Minneapolis with support from the Hennepin County Green Partners grant.
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 Freshwater Society kicks off 2016 Master Water Stewards course
The Master Water Stewards 2016 program is off to a strong start with 72 new stewards in training, 37 of which are from Hennepin County. The program trains, certifies, and supports citizens to become local leaders in reducing stormwater runoff and educating others in their community. This year, the program has expanded from partnering with one watershed district to seven watershed districts and one municipality. Projects installed by Master Water Stewards over the first three years of the program are preventing more than 1 million gallons of stormwater runoff from flowing into local lakes and streams every year.
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Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy hosts energy workshops
The Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy (CEED) is providing energy workshops for low-income households to reduce electricity use and save money by weatherizing their homes. Community members receive weatherization supplies and energy saving materials for their homes and learn how to track energy costs on home appliances.
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 Spark-Y launches sustainability course at Roosevelt High School
The Spark-Y program at Roosevelt High School has launched an elective class that focuses on students using the Roosevelt Sustainability Center to create a greener campus. The sustainability center contains an indoor aquaponics greenhouse, an outdoor greenhouse, and a waste management system. Students explore the implications of all these systems through curriculum and interactive, experiential learning involving food, water, waste, farming and business. Students also have the opportunity to share these themes with the community for credit that counts towards their graduation.
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