New version of the plan available
A new version of the Climate Action Plan (PDF) is now available. This version of the plan has been submitted to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners for consideration and adoption. Learn more about the plan development process at hennepin.us/climateaction.
The plan establishes the county's new role in climate education to help our residents understand the impact of climate change, help residents, businesses, and organizations take action, and build support for collect action that is necessary to drive systems change. The plan's success relies on long-term engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including community organizations, schools, and residents. The plan includes strategies to establish long-term partnerships, increase engagement, and support community-driven solutions.
|
Key findings and calls to action from the public comment period
In February 2021, the county’s draft Climate Action Plan was shared with the public, and the second phase of public engagement was held.Feedback was received from residents, representatives of community organizations and advocacy groups, and staff from state agencies, cities, and watershed districts.
This public engagement process generated more than 1,000 ideas and comments that informed updates to the plan and will guide the county’s climate action work going forward. See a report (PDF) summarizing the key findings and calls to action.
Significant changes made in the plan
Some of the key changes made to the plan based on the feedback from the public and commissioners include:
- Set a more ambitious overall goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and defined stretch goals in a number of key metrics.
- Expanded on the strategies for protecting natural resources, using green infrastructure, planting and maintaining trees, and increasing carbon sequestration
- Added strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled, prioritize transit, walking, and biking, get to carbon-free electricity, and achieve zero-waste goals faster.
Find details about the changes made to the plan in response to public comments in the latest Climate Action Update published on April 9.
Timeline towards board adoption
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on plan adoption at the board meeting on May 4.
The public is encouraged to share feedback on the latest changes made to the plan by completing the Climate Action Plan feedback form by Thursday, April 22 at noon. You can also provide feedback on the plan with your county commissioner or participate in Open Forum ahead of the board meetings on Tuesday, April 27 and Tuesday, May 5. Learn more about the public participation process at board meetings.
Join our Facebook group!
If you haven’t already, be sure to join the Hennepin County Environmental education network Facebook Group. 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.
Be a zero-waste leader
Encourage your community to start new low-waste habits by creating a team for the online Zero Waste Challenge
Ever wonder how you create so much trash or end up with so much stuff in your home? Many people are interested in avoiding waste, decluttering, and recycling more but aren’t sure where to start.
Hennepin County’s Zero Waste Challenge will help you learn more, connect you with resources to help you reduce the waste and clutter in your life, and provide support and motivation along the way. And now you can start a team to take the challenge along with your family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues!
Past Zero Waste Challenge participants have called the experience eye-opening and a conversation-starter. They said it both educated them and pushed them into action. Some even called it life changing! So get ready to adopt new habits that help you become a more thoughtful consumer and live a lower waste lifestyle.
The online Zero Waste Challenge runs May 1 to 31. Join the challenge now! See the resources section for tips on getting started (PDF) and creating a team (PDF) as well as a media kit and graphics to help you spread the word.
Join the Mississippi River plastic pollution initiative
Be a part of the solution to combat plastic pollution along the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative is collecting data through a community science approach in three communities along the length of the Mississippi River to create a plastic pollution map. The map will help understand the state of plastic pollution along the river and help communities, scientists, policymakers, and businesses, take action.
You can collect data on your own or as part of an organized event. Data is being collected until Sunday, April 25. Learn more and start collecting data.
|
Celebrate Earth Day!
Earth Day is right around the corner, so it’s time to start planning how you will celebrate and take action. This is a great time of year to educate yourself and others about the environment and what you can do to protect it.
Events on Earth Day: Thursday, April 22
Other events during April
Do you have an Earth Day event that wasn’t included here? Post it in the Hennepin County environmental education network Facebook group!
Reminder: apply for Green Partners Grants
Funding is available to support organizations in educating and motivating residents to become environmental stewards and take environmentally friendly actions. Green Partners environmental education grants are available to nonprofit organizations, community groups, youth programs, schools, congregations, early childhood family education programs, and park districts.
Applications are being accepted until Thursday, May 6. A virtual information meeting will be held Monday, April 19. Learn more and RSVP to the info meeting.
For more information, contact Patience Caso at patience.caso@hennepin.us or 612-348-9352.
|
Grants for improving air quality in areas of concern for environmental justice
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is offering grants for projects that will reduce emissions of air pollutants in areas of concern for environmental justice. These are areas where indigenous people, people of color or low-income residents are disproportionately exposed to levels of potentially harmful air pollution.
The MPCA has $130,000 available for grants up to $25,000 per applicant. Any project that reduces emissions within an area of concern for environmental justice will be considered. Examples:
- Community organizations and/or associations proposing to work within an industry or sector on emission reduction projects
- Switching to low-VOC or water-based paint or printing products
- Equipment upgrades to switch away from halogenated solvents, including PERC
The deadline to apply is Friday, April 30. Review grant materials, application, and project examples here.
Community mask and hand sanitizer program
Hennepin County has a significant supply of masks of hand sanitizer remaining to distribute. The masks and hand sanitizers are free and will be delivered to you to distribute to your community. Please complete a request form by selecting the first option on the form: Hennepin County mask and sanitizer request.
Minneapolis people for parks fund grants
 Grants are available for improving parks in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Up to $35,000 in funds have been allocated for equity-aligned projects and programs this year. Most grants will be between $1,000 and $10,000.
The application deadline is Friday, April 16. Learn more and apply.
Reminder: artists wanted to educate about aquatic invasive species
Wayzata Sailing Center is seeking artists to help educate the public about aquatic invasive species (AIS). 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.
|
Gathering Partners: University of Minnesota Extension conference
Thursday, May 13 to Saturday, May 15
Join University of Minnesota Extension’s 2021 Gathering Partners conference. This annual event is a favorite for friends of Minnesota’s natural resources, including volunteers, landowners, citizen scientists and advocates. From phenology to climate change, wildlife watching to invasive species management, you will spend your days learning about Minnesota’s ecology in your choice of virtual conference sessions.
Learn more and register.
Communicating and marketing with equity training
Thursday, April 29 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Join the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for a workshop that will enhance your equity-based communication practices to resonate with your diverse audiences. Participants will explore foundational concepts to better understand and represent the value in everyone’s personal story. Best practices for equitable storytelling, such as consulting with those within or connected to their communities, will be discussed. Participants will leave with tools and resources to encourage movement toward centering equity in their marketing and communications strategies.
Learn more and register.
No Child Left Inside: 100 ways to connect children to nature
Tuesday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon
There is overwhelming evidence that engaging in nature supports our mental well-being and resilience. For children, other benefits include improvements in problem solving skills, curiosity, imagination, cognition, attention, education outcomes, gross motor skills and more. In 2019, the Minnesota Legislature authorized No Child Left Inside to promote youth engagement with natural resources. The MN Department of Natural Resources has since had two rounds of grants.
Join this virtual meeting to learn about the purpose and scope of this grant program and about four grant projects: Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato, Pedal Power in Minneapolis, Recreational Experiences Achieving Community Harmony (REACH) in Cloquet, and South High School All Nations Program in Minneapolis. Register here.
NAAEE 2021 conference call for presentations
Deadline: Friday, May 7
 The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) seeks presentation proposals for their 2021 virtual conference and research symposium. Learn more and submit a proposal.
Indigenous Pathways program seeking applicants
 Indigenous Pathways is seeking participants 16 to 24 years old that are either currently enrolled in school or wanting to get re-enrolled in a diploma or GED program.
Indigenous Pathways provides participants with professional development, income, and an opportunity to make a difference in their community. The next Indigenous Pathways cohort will start on Monday, April 19. Participants can earn up to $500 for completing the program.
Learn more and register.
The Indigenous Pathways program is partially funded with a Hennepin County Green Partners Grant.
Renewable Now Leadership Conference
Friday, May 28 and Saturday, May 29
Minnesota Renewable Now is hosting a leadership training for high school juniors and seniors. During this two day training, youth will attend breakout sessions, panel discussions, lectures and hands-on workshops. Topics covered will include the urgency to implement renewable energy into our energy grid, how renewable energy works, ways they can participate in renewable energy now, and how they can advocate for renewable energy with their state legislatures and city and county elected officials. Scholarships are available. Learn more and register.
The Renewable Now Leadership Conference is partially funded with a Hennepin County Green Partners Grant.
Mississippi River Fellowship is seeking applicants
This paid fellowship with the Mississippi Park Connection provides an opportunity for diverse and underrepresented young adults ages 18 to 25 to explore a career path in the environmental field. This 10-week fellowship explores the different branches of the National Park Service including Visitor Services, Interpretation & Education, Natural & Cultural Resource Management, and the Volunteer Program. The fellows will work directly with National Park Service Rangers, Mississippi Park Connection staff, and other park partners to aid in facilitating educational programs, habitat restoration events, and wildlife monitoring on the Mississippi River. Learn more and apply.
Reminder: Diversity in Environmental Careers program seeking applicants
Applications are being accepted until Friday, May 28 for the Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers (IDEC) program. The program creates pathways to natural resources and environmental careers for underrepresented students. Learn more and apply.
New K-8 solar energy curriculum
The Rural Renewable Energy Alliance recently published a comprehensive and adaptable solar energy curriculum. The curriculum underscores how both knowledge and solar energy are powerful tools that educators and schools can use to inspire future generations. Access the free curriculum here. |
|
 |
The following organization has received a Hennepin County Green Partners environmental education grant and is busy engaging their audiences in taking action to protect the environment
Bolder Options hosts planting event with Bolder Youth Environmental Advocates
The goal of the Bolder Youth Environmental Advocates’ Green Partners project is to help youth make a connection between healthy, active living (the primary focus of Bolder Options for the past 27 years) and environmental stewardship by weaving these messages into existing programming. In March, they hosted their first in-person event since early 2020, introducing youth mentors and their mentees to waste prevention through reuse and gardening to grow their own food.
Participants learned about basic plant science, how to read the back of seed packets, and how and when to plant seeds. The plants they grow will be added to the Bolder Options garden later in the year. In addition, participants talked about the value of reusing household items to plant seeds for an inexpensive and sustainable way to grow a garden. During the event they used repurposed paper egg cartons for planting the seeds, old sandwich trays and aluminum sheet pans to set the cartons on, and repurposed plastic cups for transplanting the seedlings when they get too big for the egg cartons.
Youth and mentors each brought home a seed starting kit which included soil, an egg carton, recycled plastic takeout container for placing under the carton, and seeds of their choosing. Summer programming will be starting soon and may include a field trip to a sustainable farm and a cooking night using the garden produce.
Green Partners grantee workshops
The following are upcoming workshops, trainings, and other activities hosted as part of Hennepin County Green Partners environmental education grants.
Tangletown Neighborhood Association’s spring spruce up and compost pick up
Spring spruce up
Join your neighbors for Tangletown’s annual Spring Spruce Up event to beautify the neighborhood and ensure accessibility for all. Tangletown residents are invited to clean and beautify their sidewalks, boulevards, and parks as a community on May 22 and 23. Sign up by May 19 to receive yard waste bags and litter cleanup supplies. |
|
 |
Compost pick up
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 22
Have you ever wondered what happens to your organics recycling? Here’s your chance to use the compost created by your food scraps in your yard! Tangletown Neighborhood Association’s commercial compost site will deliver a load of compost, and neighbors can stock up for all their gardening needs. Bring your own fillable containers or fill a provided bag for a suggested donation of $2 per 20lb bag of compost or equivalent. The compost pick up will take place in the Mayflower Church parking lot (106 E Diamond Lake Road). First come first serve.
|
