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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Spring! I hope you've been able to enjoy the warmer weather. One of my favorite parts of approaching summer are all of the new options to join-in with neighbors to enjoy our shared amenities and support community. Here are a few options with more information below in the newsletter:
- "Salvage Crawl", where people are enticed to buy used—rather than new--building materials for home remodeling projects
- Green Partners Grants, and Grants for Arts and Music
- Visit Hennepin County building with Doors Open Minneapolis
- Join a composting workshop
You'll also find in this newsletter the Hennepin County 2023 road construction and maintenance map, and the 2022 Year-in-Review and Vision for 2023 which was published last month in April.
My best,
Salvage Crawl runs May 1 to 31, 2023
May is National Home Improvement Month. This May, Hennepin County is hosting its first-ever Salvage Crawl, where people are enticed to buy used—rather than new--building materials for home remodeling projects. Visit participating salvage retailers from May 1 to 31, 2023 to be entered into a drawing to win one of five prizes. Find an interactive map of participating retailers at hennepin.us/salvage.
Why used building materials?
Building materials cost more than just money. The energy and natural resources associated with manufacturing and transporting building materials, referred to as embodied emissions, are responsible for about 13% of annual global carbon emissions. Choosing used building materials instead of buying new also diverts valuable materials from going to a landfill.
There’s a beneficial “ripple effect” when choosing to buy salvaged materials instead of new ones. It sends a message that those products are valuable and can spur demand for used materials and soften demand for new materials, which means less carbon emissions in the first place.
Finally, used materials can bring unique character and one-of-a-kind style to a project – whether it’s a small DIY craft, a larger remodel, or an entirely new build. Explore local used building retailers on Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl and get started on your next project.
Salvage Crawl: How to participate
To be entered into a drawing to win prizes:
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Visit participating salvage retailers – The more retailers you visit from May 1 to 31, 2023, the greater chance of winning!
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Scan to enter – Find Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl poster near the checkout counter, scan the QR code, and enter your information for a chance to win.
Prizes
- First place prize (one available): $100 gift card to a participating retailer
- Second place prizes (four available): $50 gift card to a participating retailer OR one-year basic individual membership to the Minnesota Tool Library ($55 value)
List of participating retailers
Find an interactive map of participating retailers at hennepin.us/salvage
Hennepin County "green grants" in the news
Coverage from MPR News
The 2023 road construction and maintenance season is here and there’s a resource to help you understand what to expect in your community.
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.
Local government units can apply for youth art and music grants from May 3-June 7, 2023. This grant program aims to increase youth access to art and music opportunities in Hennepin County. These grants are a part of the Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants program supported by the Twins ballpark sales tax.
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Join Hennepin County for Doors Open Minneapolis on May 13 and 14.
Three county buildings will be taking part in Doors Open this year: the Hennepin County Government Center, Minneapolis Central Library, and the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center.
Visitors will get the opportunity to experience these venues in new ways and get a behind-the-scenes look at places like a Hennepin County Court Room and Board Room, Central Library Special Collections, and the tip floor of the HERC.
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.
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Wednesday, May 10 from noon to 1 p.m. Register.
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Thursday, May 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register.
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Saturday, May 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Powderhorn Park Rec Center 3400 S 15th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Register.
Usually I send a letter out early in the year to highlight accomplishments of the previous year, share board assignments, and lay out my plans for the coming year. I did so last month in April — if you missed it, check out the 2022 Year-in-Review and Vision for 2023 here!
- Pictured on top: US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, me, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle on a transit tour of Lake Street in Minneapolis. (Photo: Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune)
- Pictured bottom left: Me with Ho-Chunk Nation Council Member Robert Pilot, who participated in Hennepin County's Tribal Flag Lending Library Dedication Ceremony at the Minneapolis Central Library
- Pictured bottom right: Me speaking at a supportive housing ribbon cutting ceremony.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
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