- Healthy tree canopy grants available soon
- Apply for a youth activities grant
- Apply for a grant to reduce waste and improve recycling at your school
- Six lessons learned in building Indigenous inclusion from Project WET
- Isle Royale teen artist-in-residence program
- Apply to be a Minnesota GreenCorps host site
- Career connections: A toolkit for green careers
- STEM on Tap: a new series for teachers
- Online workshop: Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in nature
- Dream Big: The Future of Place-based Learning in Minnesota
- Children and Nature Network’s Nature Everywhere Conference
 Hennepin County’s healthy tree canopy grants will open for applications on Tuesday, February 27. Grant projects can include tree plantings, ash tree removals, tree inventories, outreach and more. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations, schools, cities, and affordable housing properties.
The grants aim to combat threats to trees from invasive insects and disease, educate the public on tree care and the importance of trees, and increase the diversity and resiliency of the tree canopy. Review the grant flyer (PDF).
Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26.
Virtual information meeting
The virtual information meeting is a chance to find out more about the grant program, hear about and share project ideas, understand the application process, and get questions answered.
The information meeting will be held virtually via Zoom from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5. Register for the meeting.
Contact us
For more information, feedback on your project ideas, or help with your application, contact the Shane DeGroy at shane.degroy@hennepin.us.
Applications for Hennepin County youth activities grants are open and accepting applications through Monday, April 1.
Types of grants
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Equipment grants: Up to $10,000 for youth sports equipment.
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Art and music grants: Up to $25,000 for youth art activities, with additional funding available for music instruments.
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Play spaces grants: Up to $100,000 for playgrounds and small-scale play space projects.
To access the application materials and apply
- Visit the Supplier Portal
- Under contracting opportunities, view the application materials by selecting the youth activities grant you wish to apply for
- You need to be registered to submit an application. There has been an upgrade to the Supplier Portal, so all respondents will need to register or re-register. For detailed instructions on how to register and submit an application, including video tutorials and more, visit the Supplier Portal information page.
For questions and technical assistance, please reach out to the grants coordinator at youth.grants@hennepin.us or call 612-348-8263.
 Grants are available for schools to start or improve programs to reduce waste and keep recycling and organic materials, including food and non-recyclable paper, out of the trash. The first round of funding is available to two-year colleges, Head Start programs, preschools, and K-12 schools with at least 50% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 29.
Visit the school recycling web page to learn more and begin the application process.
Project WET shared their experience in building Indigenous inclusion into their programming and outlined their six major takeaways in this ten-minute vlog. Watch the recording to learn more and download the resources guide to start building Indigenous inclusion into your programming today.
Isle Royale teen artist-in-residence program
Applications are being accepted for the Isle Royale teen artist-in-residence program through Friday, February 16. Applicants must be between the ages of 13 to 18 at the time of program participation. The selected artists will donate a piece of artwork representative of their stay on Isle Royale to the park after their experience.
Learn more and apply for the artist-in residence program.
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 from September 2024 to August 2025. Members serve at organizations throughout the state completing community-focused environmental projects while gaining experience and learning green job skills.
Eligible organizations include government entities, school districts, public education institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13. Learn more and apply to be a host site.
Career connections: A toolkit for green careers
The career connections toolkit, shared through the North American Association for Environmental Education, provides tools for job seekers interested in green careers to search for jobs and explore sustainability professions. The toolkit guides applicants through exploring sustainability professions, applying for jobs, and networking.
Learn more and fill out the form to access the toolkit.
STEM on Tap: a new series for teachers
Learn about STEM topics for 6th through 12th grade students from professionals with the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed and City of Eden Prairie. Get resources for your classroom, meet STEM professionals, and network with other STEM teachers over free pizza and a beverage. Teachers will receive a certificate for two hours of continuing education credit at the conclusion of each workshop. Tickets for each event are $15.
Get Out(side)! STEM and stormwater
Monday, February 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Boom Island Brewing in Minnetonka. Register for STEM and stormwater.
All about invasive species
Monday, April 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Boom Island Brewing in Minnetonka. Register for All about invasive species.
Online workshop: Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in nature
Friday, February 23 from 1 to 2 p.m.
 It’s never too early to introduce children to the outdoors. Parents, caregivers and early childhood educators can play an important role in enhancing young children’s connection with nature. Learn tips on how to prepare for the elements, tangible tools for nature play, whole-child centered learning with nature as the teacher, how to facilitate a guided forest walk for your family or preschool class, and more!
Learn more and register for the workshop.
Dream Big: The Future of Place-based Learning in Minnesota summit
Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14 at Osprey Wilds in Sandstone
Registration is open for Dream Big: The Future of Place-based Learning in Minnesota. The summit is an opportunity to network and discuss opportunities to provide more outdoor learning for students. Attend to share project ideas, find opportunities for collaboration, and discuss and uncover funding sources to support this work.
Learn more and register for the summit.
Children and Nature Network’s Nature Everywhere Conference
Tuesday, May 28 to Friday, May 31 in Madison, WI
 When children spend time outdoors, they are healthier, happier, and more successful in school. But over the past few generations, childhood has moved indoors, disconnected from the proven benefits of nature.
Formerly known as the Inside-Out International Conference, the Nature Everywhere Conference brings together cross-sector leaders from around the world to advance programs, practices and policies for advancing equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play.
Learn more and register for the conference.
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