Applications for the 2021 round of Green Partners grants will be accepted starting in late March and due in early May.
This program provides funding and support to organizations to actively educate, engage and motivate residents to become environmental stewards and take environmentally friendly actions. Visit hennepin.us/greenpartners for more information about projects we fund.
Types of grants
We award two types of Green Partners grants:
- Environmental action grants for projects that focus on motivating adults to do more to protect the environment by focusing on one or two environmentally friendly actions using behavior change strategies.
- Youth environmental education grants for projects that engage youth in learning about the environment and becoming environmental stewards using youth environmental education best practices.
Applying for a grant
Applications must be submitted through the Hennepin County Supplier Portal and pre-registration is required to apply. Instructions to register can be found here.
Watch for a special announcement sent to you via email and a posted in the Hennepin County environmental education network Facebook group when applications open.
Virtual information meetings
Virtual grant information meetings will be held:
- Tuesday, April 13 from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Friday, April 16 from 1 to 2 p.m.
RSVP to a virtual information meeting via this form.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an information meeting or contact the Green Partners grant program manager for feedback on project ideas before applying at patience.caso@hennepin.us or 612-348-9352.
Raising sails, issues and voices: funded artist opportunity with Wayzata Sailing Center
Wayzata Sailing Center is seeking artists to help educate the public about aquatic invasive species (AIS). This art installation intends to create long lasting and widespread awareness of AIS on Lake Minnetonka and in the surrounding community. It will create five unique sets of sails that highlight AIS issues – featuring artwork by local and diverse artists – to be initially unveiled at Wayzata Art Experience. The intention is to highlight underrepresented local voices as part of the project, adding gravity to an issue that has had a major effect on Minnesota lakes.
Five finalists will be selected and will be provided with materials (set of sails, inks, & rollers) and an artist stipend of $2000 each. The application deadline is Friday, April 30. Learn more and apply.
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Environmental justice grants from the EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of up to $6 million in grant funding for environmental justice projects.
The EPA will be giving special consideration to the following focus areas:
- Addressing COVID-19 concerns faced by low-income communities and communities of color
- Climate change and natural disaster resiliency outreach and planning
- New applicants to either opportunity
- Small nonprofit organizations
The application deadline is Friday, May 7. Learn more and apply.
School and community garden grants
Organic community garden funding from Nature’s Path
The Gardens for Good grant program supports community gardens across North America who are growing organic food and doing good in their communities. Following the application period, your community will have the chance to vote for your garden from March 24 to April 7. The final 21 garden winners will be selected both by number of votes and through an internal vetting process.
The application deadline is Wednesday, March 24. Learn more and apply.
Whole Kids Foundation school garden grants
The Whole Kids Foundation is inviting applications for its Garden Grant Program. Driven by the idea that kids who grow veggies are more likely to eat veggies, schools and nonprofit organizations will be awarded grants of $3,000 to turn outdoor spaces into hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity about gardening and fresh food, and support classroom curriculum. The program supports both new and existing educational gardens.
Eligible applicants include charter or public schools, nonprofit private schools, or nonprofit organizations or tribal entities that serve children in grades K-12.
The application deadline is Wednesday, March 31. Learn more and apply.
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Earth day resources
Earth Day, coming up on April 22, is an opportunity to educate and engage people around climate and the environment. Here are some resources to help you start planning now for Earth Day.
- EARTHDAY.ORG’s Earth Day Action Toolkit: includes messaging and resources focused on this year’s themes of climate action and restoring the earth. The toolkit includes messages, social media posts and graphics, and text to use to send a note to your network.
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Climate change and health training and resources from the Minnesota Climate and Health Program: Minnesota-specific info sheets, webinars, and videos are available to explain the climate change impacts we’re experiencing, the impact those changes have on our health, and the actions we can take to help reduce and prevent negative health outcomes associated with climate change.
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Lessons and handouts from Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree has the following activities and materials available that are great for getting youth outside in the spring.
Early childhood: Prep your nature play space
As the sun warms, take stock of your outdoor play spaces. What loose parts can you make available? Tree cookies, sticks, mulch, pails, and shovels, etc. Get the activity here.
Every organism needs a place to live (habitat) that satisfies its basic needs for food, water, shelter, and space. In this activity, students go on a safari to explore a nearby habitat – the schoolyard (or yard, park, or other outdoor space) – while looking for signs of animals living there. Although the full lesson is in the PLT PreK-8 Activity Guide, you are welcome to use these related student pages:
This active simulation will help your students learn about the conditions trees need to live and grow and how trees compete for their needs. Although the full lesson is in the PLT PreK-8 Activity Guide, you are welcome to use these related resources:
Climate Generation’s Summer Institute for Climate Change Education: A regrounding in truth
Wednesday, July 28 to Friday, July 30
Join a virtual conference on climate change education with educators from across the country! Gain the skills, tools, and resources to teach climate change in all subject areas.
 This three-day experience will include networking with a national audience as well as one full day dedicated to working, planning, and learning with regional cohorts.
Climate Generation’s 16th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education will be hosted in partnership with The Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program and NOAA’s Climate Office.
Learn more and register.
EE Inspire webinar series: Sparking innovation in environmental education
eeINSPIRE is a monthly webinar series presented by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. This series is designed to bring new ideas and thinking to U.S. Forest Service conservation educators but is open to all who want to sign up! Upcoming webinars are:
- Connecting people to nature: Sunday, March 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. CST. Hear from experts about research, strategies, and benefits of connecting people to nature.
- Inspiring conservation action: Saturday, April 17 from noon to 1 p.m. CST. Take a deep dive into NAAEE’s Toolkit for Engaging People in Conservation Action and learn how to increase the impact of behavior change efforts.
More information, future webinars, and registration is available on the NAAEE webinar page.
TrashTalk Mn virtual meet up: Recycling Do's and Don'ts
Saturday, March 20 from 4 to 5 p.m.
 Join TrashTalk MN for a virtual meetup on Saturday, March 20, where they’ll be joined by Amy Maas, recycling expert from Hennepin County, to discuss how to recycle everyday items and common recycling myths.
Learn more and register.
Diversity in Environmental Careers program seeking applicants
Applications are being accepted until May 28 for the Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers program, a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
The program creates pathways to natural resources and environmental careers for underrepresented students, including people of color, women, or individuals with disabilities, who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in science, technology, engineering, or math. The program consists of three parts: a fellowship with a stipend, a mentorship to connect students with professionals in the field, and an internship to provide students with field experience before graduation.
For this cohort, 15 to 18 applicants will be selected and the program will start at the beginning of the fall 2021 academic term. Learn more about applying or sign up for an info session.
Tree Trust Summer Youth Employment Program
Get a summer job that makes a difference improving the community! Youth ages 14 to 21 can get hands-on experience working on construction and landscape projects with Tree Trust. The Summer Youth Employment Program runs from June 14 to August 13, with crew members working approximately 20 hours per week. Internships with local businesses are also available. Applications are being accepted through March 26. Learn more and apply.
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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.
Footprint Project engages youth in climate planning simulations
Green Partners grantee Footprint Project is working with partners at the University of Minnesota and Washburn High School in Minneapolis to engage youth in a climate simulation exercise. The simulation provides students an opportunity to assess and negotiate real life climate solutions using loads of great information on the complexity of climate challenges we face as a planet.
Trainings will be held in March with University of Minnesota and Washburn High School students though the EN- Roads training. Check out their new video (13 minutes) made by University of Minnesota - Twin Cities BRIDGE club students to explain the En-ROADS climate simulation activity to high school students. The BRIDGE club is mostly engineering students, and their mission is to work with students at Washburn on hands-on projects that build STEM skills and interests.
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HACER climate change and sustainable transportation project
 Latinx nonprofit HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment Through Research) is coordinating a program engaging youth in climate change solutions. The project, called R.U.E.D.A, is a 7-session program to address and uncover Latinx youth knowledge regarding climate change and sustainable transportation. Launched in September 2020, youth have explored challenges, best practices, and social involvement in climate change solutions. HACER is partnering with individuals and organizations from the community who are committed to climate change solutions from both a professional and a personal standpoint to deliver programming. In March they hosted a workshop on bicycling in Hennepin County, and in April youth will learn and talk about road safety and basic bike repair. This summer, the youth plan to participate in a socially distanced, COVID-safe bicycle trip together. Learn more about HACER on their website and Facebook page.
Minneapolis Climate Action shares important perspective on zero waste initiatives
Green Partners grantee Minneapolis Climate Action is embarking on a zero-waste initiative with FRAYEO (Fortune Relief and Youth Empowerment Organization) to engage East African residents in Whittier and Lyndale neighborhoods in taking action on climate change, zero waste, and environmental justice. The intended outcome is a reduction in single use plastic items used and an informed and empowered citizenry about climate impacts. Reflecting on the zero-waste movement and her role as a new community activist of color, Minneapolis Climate Action intern, Zaynab Ahmed, contributed this thoughtful essay: Intersectionality within Zero-waste: What is it and Why is it a Problem?
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The following are upcoming workshops, trainings, and other activities hosted as part of Hennepin County Green Partners environmental education grants.
Tangletown Neighborhood Association's textile reduce and reuse event series
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Join the Tangletown Neighborhood Association in reducing your textile waste. They are hosting a series of workshops and opportunities to take action. |
Saturday, March 20 at 10 a.m.
Shopping secondhand can be intimidating, but it’s much easier than most think. Nancy Dilts of Nancy Dilts Wardrobe Consulting and Courtney Istre, Tangletown resident and hardcore thrifter, will share how to be successful shopping secondhand. This session is for you, whether you’re a newbie or a more experienced shopper looking to up your game. Shopping secondhand is a win-win, it helps you save money and supports local businesses and nonprofits while also protecting our planet by keeping textiles out of the landfill and reducing consumption of new textiles.
Register here.
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