Applications being accepted for school recycling grants
School recycling grants are available to public and private, K-12 schools to start or improve programs to reduce waste and keep recycling and organic materials out of the trash.
Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and supplies, including recycling and organics recycling containers, sorting stations, reusable food service ware, bulk condiment dispensers, organics hauling, and compostable bags.
Application timeline
Applications for grants of up to $50,000 are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 27. Applications for less than $15,000 will be accepted on a rolling basis as funds remain.
New this year
- Streamlined process for ordering containers: Instead of finding your own vendor for containers, you can now select containers available from a county-contracted vendor, and the county will take care of processing your order.
- Preference given to projects that include waste prevention: $50,000 in grant funding will be reserved for grant activities that prevent or reduce waste.
Information meetings
Bring your project ideas, get questions about the program answered, and discuss other ways county staff can help make your project a success.
Information sessions will be held:
- Online webinar: Wednesday, January 29 from noon to 1 p.m. Use this link to access the webinar. To register for the webinar, email Kira Berglund at kira.berglund@hennepin.us by Monday, January 27.
- In person: Thursday, February 6 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Louis Park Library at 3240 Library Lane, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
You are encouraged to contact the program manager, Kira Berglund, to discuss project ideas at kira.berglund@hennepin.us or 612-596-1498.
Are you or do you know an artist with a strong connection to water who wants to inspire others through your art? Consider joining the inaugural artist cohort of the Master Water Stewards program!
The program will equip artists to use their art as an outreach tool to inspire others to make changes in their behavior that benefit the health of our waters. Artists accepted into the program will attend two in-person classes for orientation, discussion, and guided practice sessions. They will also participate in an online course to gain deeper knowledge of water science. After coursework is complete, artists will design and implement a public art project or performance that inspires behavior change related to water health.
This project is being funded by a Hennepin County environmental education grant, so artists must be residents of Hennepin County and art must be executed in the county. Artists accepted into the program will receive a $1,300 stipend to cover initial training sessions and needed materials.
Applications are due by January 31. Learn more and apply.
|
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently awarded their first round of No Child Left Inside grants. The response to their call for proposals was overwhelming, and it's exciting to see so many organizations passionate about getting youth outdoors!
Organizations doing work in Hennepin County that received grants include:
|
- Bryn Mawr and Anwatin schools for their school forest
- Minneapolis Nature Preschool
- Minneapolis South High School for a trout in the classroom and all nations programs
- Minnesota Youth Ski League
- Pedal Power MN for biking at Webster School in Minneapolis
- Robbinsdale Area Schools
Read more about this grant program on MPR.
The Minnesota Ground Water Association is excited to announce the annual Gil Gabanski Student Scholarship. Two scholarships are available: $1,500 for an undergraduate student and $1,500 for a graduate student. Students majoring in hydrogeology, groundwater hydrology, or similar programs at an accredited college or university in Minnesota or an adjoining state or province are eligible to apply. Gil was a long-time employee of Hennepin County Environment and Energy who was passionate about supporting future generations of scientists. Applications are due January 27, 2020. Learn more and apply.
New SEEK website: EE portal @MAEE
The Minnesota Association for Environmental Education (MAEE) has launched a new version of the SEEK website, now called the EE portal @MAEE. Partners can now post their own jobs, events, and resources through the site via forms instead of logging in. Consider using this valuable resource for your organization.
Climate solutions simulator
Explore change over time, play with variables, and predict the future. En-ROADS is a free policy simulation model that allows you to explore the likely consequences of energy, economic growth, land use, and other policies and uncertainties.
En-ROADS is best used as part of one of our two facilitated group learning experiences: the En-ROADS Climate Workshop and the Climate Action Simulation.
Talking climate handbook
A new Talking Climate Handbook, created by Climate Outreach, provides evidence-based, practical guidance to make it easier to have constructive climate conversations in our daily lives. Content for the Handbook was developed by combining social science expertise with a citizen science pilot project that involved over 550 people from more than 50 countries. Read more and download the Handbook at the Climate Outreach website.
|
|
 |
#TeachClimate Network Meeting
Join Climate Generation virtually on Thursday, January 30 at 7 p.m. for their monthly #TeachClimate network meeting. This meeting will include a discussion on the themes of traditional ecological knowledge and science teaching, cultural ways of knowing, and respectful and purposeful land acknowledgements. See a list of recommended articles and resources to prepare for the meeting, and then join the Zoom Meeting.
|
Climate leadership conference
The annual Climate Leadership Conference happening March 4 - 6 in Detroit is an event dedicated to addressing the climate crisis through policy, innovation, and business solutions. The conference brings together forward-thinking leaders from business, government, academia, and the non-profit community to explore energy and climate solutions and opportunities, and to showcase climate leadership. Registration and additional information is available on the conference website.
|
|
 |
Climate change and public health conference
Join the Minnesota Department of Health, health professionals, academics, and many others for a full-day conference about climate and health on April 4 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The event, "Code Blue for Patient Earth: Pathways to a Secure Future," features Dr. Learn more and register at the conference website.
|
Communications and outreach specialist for the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
The Communications and Outreach Specialist will make stewardship opportunities accessible to MWMO's active participants and under-served populations through targeted grant offerings, communication, and learning initiatives. This position will focus on motivating the community to protect and improve the water and natural resources in the watershed. Learn more and apply.
Internships at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is one of Minnesota’s largest state agencies and offers a broad range of paid internships for college students. Up to 200 internships are available at locations across the state. As an intern you’ll work with dedicated professionals to create a healthy, sustainable, livable Minnesota for generations to come. Applications are being accepted until January 31. Learn more and apply.
|
