- How to apply for Green Partners environmental education grants
- Resources to spread the word about waste reduction programs
- Professional development and education opportunities including an early childhood conference, composting workshops, outdoor training programs by the DNR, and virtual workshops
- Upcoming Green Partners grantee events
- Curriculum resources created by 4-H
 Funding is available through the Green Partners grant program to support organizations in educating and motivating residents to become environmental stewards and take environmentally friendly actions. The grants fund organizations doing projects that help residents take action to prevent waste, separate organic waste and recycle, reduce household hazardous waste, combat climate change, care for trees, protect birds, bats, and pollinators, and improve air and water quality.
Grants are available to nonprofit organizations, community groups, youth programs, schools, congregations, early childhood family education programs, and park districts.
Three types of grants are available:
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Environmental action: For projects focused on motivating adults to do more to protect the environment and act at home, at work, or on-the-go.
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Youth environmental education: For projects focused on working with youth to develop awareness of environmental issues and increase interest in environmental stewardship.
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Youth green jobs (new!): For projects focused on offering green jobs exploration and training to individuals ages 14 to 24, especially those facing disparities.
Proposals are being accepted until Thursday, May 11. Learn more about the grants, how to apply, and RSVP to an info meeting.
Attend an information meeting
Virtual information meetings will be held Thursday, April 13 from 11 a.m. to noon for youth environmental education and youth green jobs grants and Tuesday, April 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for environmental action grants. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an information meeting or contact the Green Partners grant program manager for feedback on project ideas before applying.
For more information, contact Patience Caso at patience.caso@hennepin.us or 612-596-6856.
 Spread the word
Many people are interested in reducing waste, decluttering, and recycling more but aren’t sure where to start or how to take the next step. Households can join Hennepin County’s Zero Waste Challenge to learn more and get hands-on help. Please spread the word about how to join the challenge to your audiences by using the newsletter articles and social media posts in this media kit (DOCX).
Apply to join the challenge
Throughout the six-month challenge, participating households receive personalized coaching and support, attend educational workshops, receive waste reduction tips, get access to supplies and educational materials, and connect with other households striving to live lower waste lifestyles.
The 2023 challenge will run from May 7 through October 14. Interested households should complete the online application by Wednesday, April 26.
Earth Day and Arbor Day are both coming up in April, and there are many events planned locally to celebrate our community and environment.
You could join a cleanup event, run a 5k, go on a bird walk, learn about local sustainability resources, participate in a clothing swap, help plant trees, hear live music, and much more!
See our list and map of more than 35 events.
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 This May, Hennepin County is hosting its first-ever Salvage Crawl, where people are encouraged to buy used — rather than new — building materials for home remodeling projects. We need your help to make it a success. Share newsletter and social media content from the Salvage Crawl media kit (Docx) with your audiences!
How to participate in the Salvage Crawl
Visit participating salvage retailers from May 1 to 31, 2023, to be entered into a drawing to win one of five prizes. Look for Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl poster near the checkout counter at each retailer location and scan the QR code to enter your information for a chance to win.
Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open Saturday only)
Join us for an educational Doors Open experience! The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) operates 24/7 to convert Minneapolis’ trash into energy, which provides electricity to 25,000 homes and heat to Target Field and downtown buildings. Learn how HERC works and discover actions you can take to reduce waste. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our facility and the waste-to-energy process. More information about Doors Open.
Closed-toe shoes are required (no sandals) to participate in the portion of the tour to see the waste pit and claw that feeds trash into the furnace.
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Outdoor learning virtual workshop series
 Join other educators for any of these free virtual outdoor learning workshops hosted by the Outdoor Learning Store with 70+ outdoor learning partners. Workshops are one hour long and come jam-packed with ideas, inspiration, and resources.
All workshops are on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and will be recorded for those who cannot attend.
- April 11: Resources for Earth Month
- April 18: Taking a Closer Look: Investigations in Nature
- April 25: Nature Activities for Year-round Learning
- May 16: Resources for World Oceans Day
- May 23: Race and Nature for Educators
- May 30: How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention
- June 6: Walking Together: (Re)Connecting to Nature through Two-Eyed Seeing
- June 13: Animating Outdoor Learning using Finger Puppets
Learn more and register for a workshop.
Recycling and Solid Waste (RAM/SWANA) Conference
Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, April 26 at the Mystic Lake Center, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake
 Join the Recycling Association of Minnesota and the Solid Waste Association of North America, Land of Lakes Chapter to learn about solid waste and recycling from professionals, including a Green Partners grantee and ReUse Minnesota. The conference will cover topics such as recycling, solid waste, organics recycling, sustainability, hazardous waste management, and environmental justice.
Learn more and register.
Dodge Nature Preschool Learning Conference
Friday, April 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 Join Dodge Nature Preschool for a conference designed to inspire and encourage outdoor learning in early childhood. Find inspiration, engage in dialogue with colleagues, and learn practical ideas to help incorporate nature-based education into your classroom and school environment.
Cost: $85 per participant, includes a light breakfast, lunch, and materials.
Learn more and register.
Composting workshops
 If you're considering composting at your organization or school or need tips for your garden compost bin, join a free online webinar or in-person workshop with a composting and recycling specialist from Hennepin County. Learn how to set up your compost pile, what materials you can compost, and more.
There is no charge for the workshops, but registration is required.
Webinars:
- Wednesday, May 10 from noon to 1 p.m. Register.
- Thursday, May 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register.
In-person workshop:
Saturday, May 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Powderhorn Park Rec Center 3400 S 15th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Register.
Learn to camp, paddle, fish and mountain bike with I Can! Programs
 I Can! is an award-winning series of outdoor programs offered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that help beginners of all ages and backgrounds learn new outdoor skills in a state park or recreation area setting. Programs begin the first weekend in June and continue through the end of August. All gear and equipment is provided. Programs include:
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I Can Camp! – Hands-on instruction on setting up camp, starting a campfire, camp cooking and fun outdoor activities.
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I Can Paddle! – Instruction in the basics of canoeing or kayaking, including launching, paddling efficiently, and planning a safe outing.
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I Can Mountain Bike! – Instruction in mountain bike riding techniques at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area in Ironton.
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I Can Fish! – Instruction in all of the basics, from fish identification to casting.
Learn more about each program, including program dates, how to register, and minimum age requirements.
The following organizations received a Hennepin County Green Partners grant. The grants provide training, support, and funding to organizations to implement projects that engage residents to learn about, protect, and improve the environment.
Resilient Cities and Communities spring cleanup day
Saturday, April 15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Corcoran
Join Green Partners grantee, Resilient Cities and Communities, for their spring cleanup in the city of Corcoran! Bags and grabbers will be provided. Dress for the weather and wear waterproof shoes and gloves. Learn more and RSVP.
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Attend the Community Environmental Justice Expo
Friday, April 21 from noon to 3 p.m. in Minneapolis
Join former Green Partners grantees, Project Sweetie Pie and the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment, at the Community Justice Expo, part of the 2023 University of Minnesota Green Summit. The expo will introduce and connect university students to community members and organizations within the greater Twin Cities area focused on environmental justice and climate action. The expo is open to the public. Learn more and find a schedule of events.
Altlawns Richfield-Bloomington potting winter sown seedlings workshop
Saturday, April 29 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in Bloomington
Learn how to repot native plants (including vegetables) from winter sowing jugs into small pots. If you have seedlings or sprouts that need repotting, bring them with you!
This is a hands-on and family-friendly class. All are welcome! Learn more and register.
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Hennepin County 4-H Sustainable Polymers curriculum
The 4-H Sustainable Polymers curriculum engages youth as change agents to care for the environment, develop solutions to our plastics problems, and create a sustainable future. There are five inquiry-based science curricula, each with learning modules where youth explore properties of materials, impacts of oil-based plastics, emerging work on bioplastics, environmental sustainability, and science and engineering practices.
The 4-H Sustainable Polymers curriculum includes hands-on activities for different age groups. Request access to the curriculum using the forms below:
Learn more and access additional resources on the 4-H Sustainable Polymers website.
Learn more
hennepin.us/environmentaleducation
Environmental education network Facebook group
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