Environmental education news: January updates including grant funding, a group to join, and curriculum resources

environmental education news

Join our new Facebook group!

We are happy to announce our newest resource: the Hennepin County Environmental education network Facebook Group.

Facebook group banner for Environmental education network

 

The group serves as a forum for collaboration around environmental, outdoor and place-based education and motivating environmental action in and around Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Join the group to start building connections and sharing resources today.

Reduce waste and improve recycling at your school

Students sorting their lunch waste in a colorful school cafeteria

 

Apply now for a school recycling grant 

Grants are available to public and private, K-12 schools to start or improve programs to reduce waste and keep recycling and organic materials like food and non-recyclable paper 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. 

New this year 

Funding can be used for dishwashers and hand dryers to reduce waste from single use products. $50,000 in grant funding is reserved for grant activities that prevent or reduce waste. Review the school recycling grant guidelines (PDF) for details on eligible expenses.

Application timeline 

Applications for grants of up to $50,000 are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 25. 

Applications under $15,000 will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year as funds remain. 

Learn more 

Visit the school recycling web page to learn more and apply.

Training and professional development

Teach Outdoors! Minnesota weekly virtual workshops

Animals in winter presentation slide with images of caterpillars, birds, and kids outside

Are you looking for more ideas on what you can do outdoors? Join environmental educators and organizations for free virtual workshops weekly on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. Each week will feature a different environmental educator/organization and topic. Sessions will be geared towards those working with elementary students, but anyone is welcome to attend. Learn more and register.

January workshops include:

  • Animals in winter
  • Math outdoors
  • Phenology
  • Light and shadows

Natural Start’s 2021 virtual conference

Save the date and submit presentation proposals

Young child bending over to pick a dandelion

 

Attend NatStart2021 July 27 to 31 for more than 50 interactive live sessions, 24 hour on-demand access to more than 40 sessions throughout the conference week, and access all of the sessions for up to one year.

The Natural Start Alliance is taking proposals for conference sessions that:

  • Explore new research, advances in practice, innovative ideas, or relevant case studies
  • Are solution-oriented and include concrete takeaways
  • Promote equity and inclusion
  • Target emerging, intermediate, or experienced professionals
  • Link to the practices described in the Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practice Guidebook

The proposal deadline is: February 5. Learn more and submit a proposal.

Curriculum and youth resources

Climate Generation’s youth climate justice summit

Wednesday, February 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The virtual youth climate justice summit is a day of youth action, learning, and a chance to directly participate in government. Youth can join workshops led by youth and partners in the movement for climate justice. Learn more.

Watershed PREP class 

Activity images of notepad, washcloth, and tray

The West Metro Water Alliance (WMWA) has created a video of their 1-hour Watershed PREP class. The video meets state science curriculum standards for 4th graders and be used as part of the introduction to the water cycle. The video includes a hands-on experiment.

The video can be used as part of online classes or at home. Access the video lesson here.

Green Partners grantee highlights

The following organizations have received Hennepin County Green Partners environmental education grants and are busy engaging their audiences in taking action to protect the environment.

Spark-Y wraps-up successful year, despite COVID-19 

Participants from Spark-Y looking into the camera

 

Throughout 2020, Spark-Y was able to evolve to deliver hands-on programming to youth virtually at home, safely in-person, and even on traveling buses. 

Masked people holding a Spark-Y banner in front of a mural

Check out their 2020 highlights and accomplishments and blog for stories about their work and Green Partners grant project at Edison High School, Northeast Middle School, and the MPS Culinary and Wellness Center.

 

Freshwater features art from Water Stewards in their 2020 impact report

Check out Freshwater’s new video and 2020 impact report (PDF) featuring the Art for Water Steward pilot program supported by a Green Partners grant.

Screen shot of FreshWater's video showing Program Coordinator Kris Meyer

 

We expect to see more artist projects completed in 2021, as COVID-19 hampered some efforts in 2020. Hennepin County will provide support to an additional three artists and five traditional steward candidates in 2021. Learn more about the Minnesota Water Stewards program here.

Green Partners grantee workshops

The following are upcoming workshops, trainings, and other activities hosted as part of Hennepin County Green Partners environmental education grants

Off the Blue Couch's Rusty and The Crew recycling workshop series 

Cartoon image sorting meal waste

Upcoming workshops:

To register, email offthebluecouch@gmail.com. Follow Rusty and Crew on Facebook for photos and updates.  

 

Tangletown Neighborhood Association's textile reduce and reuse event series

Join the Tangletown Neighborhood Association in reducing your textile waste. They are hosting a series of workshops and opportunities to take action.

Upcoming workshops:

Contact us

612-348-3777

environment@hennepin.us

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