Thursday, February 24 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Recruitment and retention of staff in the environmental education field is complicated and has been changing faster than ever over the past few years. Join other environmental educators to learn from two staffing experts who will share best practices for job descriptions, interviewing, recruitment, increasing diversity in staff, and benefits that help with retention. After the presentations, we will split into breakout rooms to discuss hiring and staffing topics with other network members, share success stories and troubleshoot together.
Register here.
Presenters:
- Abbie Hugunin, Recruiter, Hennepin County Human Resources
- Becky Rice, Executive Director, Metro Blooms
Agenda:
- Welcome and introductions
- Presentations from Abbie Hugunin and Becky Rice
- Breakout room discussions
- Announcements and send-off
Hennepin County Environment and Energy is partnering with Step Up and BrookLynk to hire three high-school aged interns for Summer 2022. If you know youth who would want to work with us on natural resources, waste reduction, and outreach projects, please ask them to apply through Step Up or BrookLynk's online applications. Step Up and BrookLynk applicants won’t be guaranteed an internship with Hennepin County, but they will be considered a good fit if they show interest in the environment, nature, science, and recycling.
- The Step Up application is open now through February 18.
- The BrookLynk application will open on February 21. The Get Ready! pre-employment training is open now. You must complete the training to apply.
Questions about the Green Pathways youth internships with Environment and Energy can be directed to Christina Schmitt at christina.schmitt@hennepin.us.
Weather and climate lessons from Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree has expanded their professional development opportunities to include a fully online unit of instruction about carbon and climate.
The unit provides activities and resources to help educators engage their 6th through 8th grade students in climate science. Through the lessons, students will create a climate science and policy timeline, visit activity stations on different aspects of climate, pretend to be carbon molecules rolling the dice as they travel to different parts of the earth, create models and evaluate data, and assess their carbon footprint.
Gain access to the unit. Get materials for $24.99 or the materials plus online training with CEUs for $39.99.
Additional free materials from Project Learning Tree and the MN Department of Natural Resources include an Environmental Education Activity Guide, the best native trees to plant for a changing climate and the top five Minnesota climate events in 2021.
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Students discovering climate solutions
Thursday, February 17 from 6 to 7 p.m.
This free Teach Climate Network virtual workshop will share how you can help students discover their own climate solution superpowers. Join Matt Scott, storytelling lead at Project Drawdown and former NASA global community lead and storyteller, to discover ways you can engage your students in identifying their ways to serve as problem-solvers in the face of climate change.
Learn more and register.
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Accessible and inclusive communication virtual training
Saturday, February 26 from 9:30 a.m. to noon
This free workshop, hosted by the Wisconsin association for Environmental Education, will provide participants with tools and practices for improving accessibility and inclusivity in programming and communication. Curriculums are often designed for neurotypical learners and communication styles, accommodating mostly to those of the dominant identity group (White, cis-hetero, middle class). In this training, participants will practice mindfulness around their own identities and how to leverage those unique vantage points to build out practices that are accessible and inclusive for all.
No registration required. Join Zoom Meeting at this link.
- Meeting ID: 822 4403 4541
- Passcode: 409728
Best Practices for Pollinators Summit
Tuesday, March 1 through Thursday, March 3
 This virtual summit is being hosted by Pollinator Friendly Alliance and the Xerces Society. Learn land stewardship practices that promote pollinators, climate resilience, and clean water and lands. The summit includes practical knowledge-sharing, innovation and pesticide reduction, habitat installation, soil health and more.
Learn more and register. Cost: $30.
Give me proof: exploring what research says about nature-based learning
Friday, March 4 from 9 to 10 a.m.
This free online training, hosted by the MN Department of Education and Teach Outdoors! Minnesota, gives participants an opportunity to hear directly from field researchers about how nature-based learning supports growth in all areas of development to help children thrive.
Register here.
Theories and models of climate change education: a graduate course at Hamline
March 21 to May 5, 2022
Join this course taught by Climate Generation to learn about climate change education, the fundamentals of environmental education, climate literacy, and related teaching theories.
Register here. Course number: NSED 7230-1
Smart salting of parking lots and sidewalks training
Thursday, March 24 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Get smart salting certified through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to learn about the cost and environmental benefits of smart salting on parking lots and sidewalks through this free interactive online training.
Learn more and register.
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Future Rising Fellowship Program seeking applications
The Future Rising Fellowship Program is a year-long virtual fellowship for individuals aged 17 to 24 to tell stories at the intersection of climate change, environmental justice and gender equity.
Successful applicants receive a $5,000 stipend and participate in a virtual program consisting of professional development, creative enrichment and practical support in the production of a narrative project.
Throughout the year, fellows will have access to experts from a diverse range of disciplines including media professionals, journalists, educators, advocates, filmmakers, artists, academics, authors and climate scientists.
An information session about the application process will be held on February 18, 2022.
Learn more and apply.
No Child Left Inside grants are now open for applications
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has launched the next phase of their No Child Left Inside grant program to help get more students outdoors to learn how to be good stewards of Minnesota’s natural resources. These grants will help children begin a lifetime of outdoor experiences including learning how to cast a line, study animal tracks, hike or bike, or simply experience more of the natural world around them.
The No Child Left Inside grants are now open for applications. Public entities and nonprofit organizations serving youth under age 18 can apply for up to $25,000. Applications must be received by 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 10.
Learn more and apply.
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Garden grants from Whole Kids Foundation
The garden grant program provides a $3,000 grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden located at either a K-12 school or a nonprofit organization. Grant information webinars will be held on Wednesday, February 23 and Monday, March 7. Applications are due March 11, 2021.
Learn more and apply.
Apply to be a Minnesota GreenCorps host site
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is accepting applications from organizations interested in hosting a Minnesota GreenCorps member for the 2022 to 2023 program year. Projects that focus on supporting areas of increased concern for environmental justice will be given priority. Potential member activities could include reducing vehicle miles traveled in vulnerable neighborhoods, capturing and re-distributing food to community members in need, helping facilitate the equitable distribution of the tree, or promoting environmental best practices.
Eligible host organizations include government entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. GreenCorps members serve from September to August.
Applications are due Tuesday, March 22, 2022, by 5:00 p.m. Learn more and access application materials.
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The following organizations received a Hennepin County Green Partners grant. The Green Partners grant program supports the county’s goals of promoting environmental stewardship, engaging communities, enhancing quality of life, and protecting the environment for current and future generations. The grants provide training, support, and funding to organizations to implement projects that engage residents to protect and improve the environment.
Project Sweetie Pie sows the seeds of change
Project Sweetie Pie continues to work in north Minneapolis to grow food and build a healthy, sustainable community by investing in youth, community gardens, and urban farms. They were recently featured in a Minnesota Historical Society video. The video shares a bit of their history and impact under the leadership of their Executive Director, Michael Chaney.
RETHOS energy efficiency webinars
Why old is green: sustainability in older homes
Wednesday, March 16
This class breaks down the how and why of sustainability in homes. Instructor Alissa Pier talks about sustainability as it relates to materials, community, and quality of life. You'll learn how old homes can adapt to change and reduce cost of living, and you'll get a thorough introduction to traditional building materials, good design, and energy efficiency.
Learn more and register. Cost: $5 to $30 sliding scale.
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Maximizing window energy efficiency
Thursday, April 14
Are you worried that your old wood windows might be getting a little drafty? Have you thought about replacing your old wood windows with new windows to save energy? Join window restorer Joe Hayes to learn about how we can make our old windows more energy efficient in small, affordable ways.
Learn more and register. Cost: $5 to $30 sliding scale.
Tangletown Neighborhood Association low waste living event series
Tangletown Neighborhood Association is hosting a series of virtual events focused on reducing food waste. Learn reduction strategies, sustainable kitchen and cooking practices, and organics recycling tips and tricks.
New tips for cooking to reduce food waste
Wednesday, February 16 at 7 p.m.
This session will virtually bring you into the kitchen and share recipes for using up foods before they go to waste. It will also include a cooking demonstration featuring Chow Girls Executive Chef, Liz Mullen. There will be a live question and answer segment where you can ask your food waste challenge questions. Learn more and register.
Organics recycling made easy workshop
Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m.
Learn tips and tricks for simplifying organics recycling in your home. This session is a great fit whether you have already gotten an organics bin, are considering getting one, or are hoping to utilize drop sites for your organics. Andrea Siegel, a Hennepin County Master Recycler Composter, will be presenting and will also help to tie your individual actions to the larger picture of combatting climate change. Learn more and register.
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Off the Blue Couch and Rusty & the Crew offers recycling workshops for BIPOC community members
Online trainings on recycling and organics basics
This training covers recycling and organics basics along with the connection to climate change and health disparities in BIPOC communities.
Monday, March 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Learn more and find links to join the training via Zoom on the Rusty & Crew Facebook page.
Waste station setup
Waste station setup includes a home visit from The Crew. During the visit, they will help you set up your waste station and provide tools to get started with recycling and organics recycling.
- Friday, February 18 between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 16 between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Learn more and request a waste station setup on the Rusty & Crew Facebook page.
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