 Hennepin County was recently awarded a $10 million Urban and Community Forestry grant from the U.S. Forest Service to remove diseased trees, plant trees, educate residents, and support businesses and workforce development. The project will improve resilience to climate change, pests, storms, and extreme heat events.
This grant is part of more than $1 billion awarded to 385 projects nationwide, including $33 million in Minnesota. This historic funding from the Inflation Reduction Act will support projects that increase tree cover in disadvantaged communities, as identified in the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
County grant increases equity in the urban tree canopy
With the grant funding, Hennepin County forestry will help low-income homeowners remove and replace diseased trees and educate residents about tree care and the benefits of trees. This funding addresses a significant need identified by community members as the emerald ash borer has swept through the county.
County foresters have heard from residents about the overwhelming financial burden of removing a diseased tree. Without help, some residents could be at risk of losing their home to tax forfeiture if the property is assessed for the removal of a tree. Many other residents are not likely to be able to afford to replace the removed tree, which furthers the disparities in the urban tree canopy.
To accomplish this work, the county will prioritize contracting with small, women-and-minority-owned tree removal businesses and community-based community organizations to conduct education and expand county and community-based workforce development programs to employ teens and young adults to plant and maintain trees.
Grants awarded to cities and other entities in Hennepin County will expand the impact
Cities and other entities within the county that also received Urban and Community Forestry grants include: the City of Minneapolis ($8 million), the City of Richfield (nearly $500,000), Great River Greening ($10 million), and the University of Minnesota ($1.7 million). Together, these grants represent a transformative opportunity to increase equity in the urban tree canopy, reduce the heat island effect, and sequester carbon.
For more information about Hennepin County’s grant, contact Dustin Ellis at dustin.ellis@hennepin.us.
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This October, celebrate the first anniversary of MNimize and support businesses taking action to reduce single-use plastic by participating in the MNimize Fall Food Tour!
From coffee shops to breweries to bakeries, vegan fare to Somali cuisine to darn good burgers, MNimize businesses have something to offer every appetite – with less plastic on the side.
How to participate
Visit participating MNimize businesses from October 1 to 31 to be entered into a drawing to win one of five prizes. Look for the MNimize Fall Food Tour poster near the checkout counter or at the front of each business and scan the QR code to enter your information for a chance to win. Or, if QR codes aren’t your cup of tea, ask a staff member for a paper sign-in sheet.
Earn bonus entries by sharing an Instagram story or post with a photo you took at a MNimize business or by resharing a post from @mnimizeplastic. Be sure to follow and tag MNimize so your entry can be counted!
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About one-third of our trash is organic materials, including food, food-soiled paper, and certified compostable products, that could be put to better use as compost.
Organics recycling drop-offs can be a good option for residents who don’t have organics recycling service at home. That includes those who live in smaller cities and those who live in apartment buildings, condos and townhomes that don’t have access to their city’s residential service.
Looking for an organics recycling drop-off option near you?
There are more than 40 organics recycling drop-off sites throughout Hennepin County. Check out our recently developed map to find a drop-off site near you.
 Help expand options: grants available to establish organics recycling drop-off sites
Help provide more organics recycling options in your community! Funding is available for businesses, cities, multifamily properties, nonprofit organizations, and institutions in Hennepin County to establish organics recycling drop-off sites.
About the grants
Up to $15,000 is available for each drop-off site. Funding can be used for hauling and disposal costs, construction, dumpsters or carts, and promotions.
Priority will be given to drop-off sites that increase access to organics recycling for residents in multifamily properties without access to city service and in cities with limited organics recycling options.
Learn more and apply
Applications are being accepted until Tuesday, October 10. See the organics recycling drop-off funding guidelines (PDF) to learn more, and access the application materials on the Hennepin County supplier portal.
For more information, contact Amy Maas at amy.maas@hennepin.us.
The parking lot at Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC) used to turn into a waterlogged mess after a big rain. The lot was flat and covered in asphalt, and the water had nowhere to go. To solve that problem, CAFAC turned to Metro Blooms to help transform the south Minneapolis lot into a useful, beautiful space.
“We thought, how can we maximize the impact of this otherwise urban patch land,” said Victoria Lauing, CAFAC executive director. “How can we expand programming? How can we get more water into the ground and be more environmentally friendly?”
 Chicago Avenue Fire Arts parking lot: Flooded in spring 2022 (left) and after permeable pavers were installed in fall 2023 (right)
With funding from a Hennepin County Good Steward Grant, the project that combines stormwater management and art is underway. A 750-gallon cistern will capture building runoff. CAFAC artists are creating custom metal rain gutters with heat, spark, and flame icons. The gutters will lead to rain chains made of metal droplets created by the community. The rain chains will then help transport the water into nearby rain gardens.
Permeable pavers have been installed in the corner of the lot, where there will be handicapped parking and a hangout space. The rest of the parking area will be concrete specially sloped to divert water toward the rain gardens, which will be planted next spring.
Apply for a Hennepin County Good Steward Grant
Applications are being accepted for Good Steward Grants through November 14.
These grants typically support smaller, community-based or single applicant projects, such as constructing rain gardens, stabilizing stream banks, restoring native vegetation, installing vegetated filter strips, or implementing other best management practices.
The typical funding amount is $10,000 to $20,000, with a maximum funding amount of $25,000. See the Good Steward Grant application guidelines (DOCX) for more information. Access application materials and submit your application online through the Supplier Portal.
Good Steward Grant online workshop October 10
Join an optional online workshop on Tuesday, October 10 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. to learn more about the program, application requirements, and how to submit an application using the Supplier Portal. RSVP required.
If you are unable to attend, watch the recorded Fall 2022 online workshop for more information.
Hennepin County offers grants and expert assistance to entities throughout the county to reduce waste and improve recycling. These grants help entities comply with recycling requirements and do their part to contribute to our climate action and zero waste goals.
 There is still time to apply for grants for businesses, organizations, schools, multifamily properties, and building materials reuse and recycling before they close for the year.
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Waste prevention grants for businesses and nonprofit organizations: Up to $50,000 for projects that prevent waste, such as replacing disposables with reusables, preventing wasted food, or conducting innovative research and development. Applications accepted through November 13.
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Waste reduction and recycling at multifamily properties: Up to $3,000 to get recycling bins and compostable bags or up to $20,000 for larger grants to improve recycling, reduce contamination, prevent waste, or start organics recycling for composting at apartment buildings, townhomes, and condos.
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School waste reduction and recycling: Up to $25,000 for K-12 schools to start or improve programs to reduce waste and keep recycling and organic materials out of the trash. Applications are accepted through November 13.
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Building material reuse and recycling: Depending on the type of project, up to $5,000 to $15,000 for projects that reuse and recycle building materials during removal or remodel of a building. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
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 As the leaves drop this fall, remember your options for managing yard waste. Properly managing yard waste helps protect our local lakes, rivers, and streams. When it rains, leaves, grass clippings, and other yard waste can get washed into storm sewers that flow directly into nearby bodies of water – carrying an overload of nutrients and pollutants with it.
Don’t let a valuable resource wash down the drain! Instead, consider these options for managing yard waste:
- Curbside pick-up: Check with your city or hauler for options and guidelines.
- Yard waste drop-off sites: There are several yard waste drop-off sites in Hennepin County option to all residents.
- Add nutrients to your yard or garden: Mulch grass and leaves into your yard or put them in a compost bin.
In October, we’re celebrating all of the businesses who have taken the MNimize pledge and committed to helping customers avoid plastic waste. Whether you’re participating in the MNimize Fall Food Tour or simply enjoying a dinner out, here are steps you can take when dining out or getting takeout to help avoid waste.
When you dine out
- Choose sit-down restaurants that serve their food on reusable dishes.
- Order half portions or share your meal if you know you won’t eat it all, or bring your own containers for leftovers.
- Choose to eat at restaurants that you know recycle and compost their waste or have committed to reducing waste, such as businesses participating with MNimize or Forever Ware.
- If restaurants you frequent aren’t taking these steps, encourage them to learn about grants and support available from Hennepin County and other partners.
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When you order takeout or are on-the-go
- Specify that you don’t need utensils, straws, or other packaging or single-use items you can go without.
- Be prepared by packing a zero-waste kit. This could include a cloth napkin, spoon and fork, lightweight plate or bowl, water bottle, coffee mug, and containers for leftovers. Also remember to pack snacks to avoid needing to purchase packaged snacks.
- Be prepared to say no. Anticipate where you might be offered wasteful items, such as condiment packets, plastic utensils, straws, water cup, or plastic bag, so can you specify that you don’t need these items.
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