- Invitation to attend the next network meeting on Thursday, March 21
- Green Partners grant application information and grantee highlights
- Forestry grants, tree sale, and job opportunity
- Grants and supplies
- Workshops, community science, and conferences
Environmental podcasting 101: learn from the pros
Thursday, March 21 from 2 to 3 p.m.
 Join us on Zoom for an exciting and informative virtual meeting where we will hear from hosts of The Wandering Naturalist (Three Rivers Park District) and We All Live Downstream (Clean Water Action) podcasts. They will share their insights and experiences on how to create and grow a podcast that engages and entertains your audience. You will learn about their podcast topics, production processes, recording techniques, feedback mechanisms, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and get inspired to start or grow your own podcast.
Upcoming 2024 network meeting topics
In 2024, there will be three network meetings in addition to the podcasting meeting. Some meetings will be virtual and some in-person. Upcoming meeting topics this year include:
- Weather
- Tree Trek and network building
- Environmental engagement on social media
 The application period for the 2024 round of Green Partners grants will be open from Monday, March 18 to Thursday, April 25. Funding is available 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
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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: For projects focused on offering green jobs exploration and training to individuals ages 14 to 24, especially those facing disparities.
Proposals we be accepted until Thursday, April 25. Learn more about the grants, how to apply, and RSVP to an info meeting.
Attend an information meeting
Virtual information meetings will be held Tuesday, April 2 from 11 a.m. to noon for environmental action grants and Thursday, April 4 from 4 to 5 p.m. for youth environmental education and youth green jobs 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.
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.
University of Minnesota’s 4-H program receives community leadership award
 The Green Partners grant program supports the sustainable polymers curriculum and youth education initiative through the University of Minnesota’s 4-H program. The Green Superheroes of Science teen teachers were honored by the Association of Minnesota Counties with the 4-H Community Leadership Award last month!
This award is given to just two 4-H groups in Minnesota each year. The youth were applauded for their work to educate both their peers and the public on the importance of caring for our waters and lands.
Additionally, this group was selected again to present at the National 4-H Ignite Conference in Washington DC later this month. Five teens will lead the hands-on workshop called Tiny Art to Address the Big Plastic Problem, in which they’ll show how they have used art to educate and inspire people to take action on issues of plastic use and disposal. They expect to reach about 80 teens from across the country with this workshop. Congratulations to 4-H and the Green Superheroes of Science!
Youth supported through green jobs grant featured in Metro Blooms community coffee chat
 Metro Blooms partners with communities to create resilient landscapes and foster clean watersheds, embracing the values of equity and inclusion to solve environmental challenges. In their recent community coffee chat, they share about their work on equity, trees, and sustainable landscaping. Two youth supported through the Green Partners youth green jobs grant, Laila and Makayla, are featured.
Watch the recording of the community coffee chat.
MIGIZI and Altlawns host winter seed sowing event
 Photo credit: MIGIZI Communications
Green Partners grantees, MIGIZI and Altlawns of Richfield and Bloomington, cohosted a winter seed sowing event in January that engaged over 30 students in planting thousands of seeds. The seeds will germinate in containers over the winter and be ready to plant in the spring.
MIGIZI students learned from experts how seed dormancy cycles work, how to sow seeds indoors in the winter, and the importance of native plants and pollinators. Several students took their learnings and extra seeds from the workshop home with them and are continuing their own seed sowing projects with their families.
Check out more photos from the event on MIGIZI’s Facebook page.
Healthy tree canopy grants
 Hennepin County has healthy tree canopy grants available for tree plantings, ash tree removals, tree inventories, outreach and more. Grants are available to cities, affordable housing properties, schools, and nonprofit organizations.
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.
Contact us
For more information, feedback on your project ideas, or help with your application, contact Shane DeGroy at shane.degroy@hennepin.us.
Hennepin County spring tree sale
 Hennepin County is selling trees to restore and improve woodland areas and increase wildlife habitat. Nonprofit organizations and schools are welcome to order as long as they can pay via check or credit card at pickup.
Bareroot trees ranging in size from 7 to 36 inches will generally be sold in bundles of 25. Due to their small size, the trees are best used for restoration and conservation projects.
Trees can create shelterbelts, provide visual screens, and offer shade that increases home energy efficiency. Trees also protect water quality, prevent soil erosion, and improve wildlife habitat.
Tree orders must be placed by Thursday, April 18.
See what's available and place an order.
Job posting: Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant coordinator
Wage range: $66,238 to $99,357 annually
Hennepin County is seeking an individual to join the county’s forestry team to coordinate the activities funded by the United States Forest Service, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grant received by Hennepin County. This is a temporary five-year position for the duration of hte grant. The position will coordinate and oversee contracted activities, employment training programs, outreach activities, and educational services; build out work plans for grant funded tree inspectors, schedule tree removals and replanting; and record, report on, and present important metrics. This position will also interface closely with the public and partners.
Applications are due by noon on Monday, March 25. Learn more about the job and apply.
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