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Through legislative advocacy, Hennepin County seeks to advance policy that protects the environment. Each year, the county adopts a legislative platform to prioritize policy initiatives. With the 2024 legislative session wrapped up, here’s a look at the county’s priorities and highlights from this year.
Highest priority zero-waste policy – Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act – passed
The Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act is landmark legislation that will require producers of packaging to take responsibility for that packaging all the way from design to recycling or safe disposal. This was the county’s highest priority zero-waste policy action.
Packaging that is problematic for the recycling and composting systems is increasingly prevalent. Additionally, many items are disposable, and residents and businesses need more options for reusable, recyclable, or compostable alternatives.
This legislation lays the groundwork for a well-designed extended producer responsibility system that will build on Minnesota’s existing recycling infrastructure, ensure sustainable funding to offset the cost of collection, expand end markets, incentivize the redesign of packaging and paper products, and shift producers to more reusable and sustainable packaging.
Responsibly managing waste
The county is aggressively pursuing zero-waste policies, programming, and infrastructure. This includes supporting its partner organization the Partnership on Waste and Energy’s 2024 legislative platform.
2024 highlights
- Extended producer responsibility for boat wrap was passed to keep this plastic out of landfills.
- Grants were allocated for composting at multifamily properties.
- A hierarchy of how to manage wasted food was established.
- Routine waste characterization studies at waste facilities across the state were required to ensure current and updated data is available.
Protecting natural resources
The county supports policies and funding to protect and enhance the tree canopy, preserve habitat, and protect water quality.
2024 legislative highlights
- $5 million was allocated for tree planting through the ReLeaf program, with a priority on planting trees in environmental justice areas of the state.
- Several new studies were commissioned, including:
- A salt purchasing report to understand use of deicing salts by agencies (excluding MnDOT) and set a goal to reduce salt use by 25% by 2030.
- A nitrogen fertilizer report to understand of use of nitrogen fertilizer by agencies and set a goal to reduce their use by 25% by 2030.
- A soil health report to illustrate the impacts of money appropriated for soil health activities.
Taking action on climate change
The county supports policies that align with the county’s Climate Action Plan.
2024 legislative highlights
- Rebates for electrification of lawn and snow removal equipment were established.
- A resiliency study was commissioned, updates to the resilient communities program were made, and $5 million was allocated to climate resiliency water infrastructure grants.
This summer, Hennepin and Ramsey counties will partner with volunteer community scientists to gather data as part of NOAA’s 2024 Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign to better understand urban heat islands.
Using heat sensors mounted on their cars, volunteer community scientists will traverse their neighborhoods in the morning, afternoon, and evening on one of the hottest days of the year. The sensors will record temperature, humidity, time, and location.
The mapping project is planned for Saturday, July 27, though the date is subject to change based on weather conditions.
Fill out the urban heat island mapping volunteer interest form to get updates on the project and how to get involved. For more information, contact urbanheat@hennepin.us.
Heat sensor on a car in Salt Lake City collecting data for their Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign.
Spring is a busy time for outreach and community events. Here are some recent highlights from our outreach work in the community.
Tree Trek installed in Homewood neighborhood of Minneapolis
 Northside Safety NET interns joined Hennepin County foresters to install Tree Trek signs at a 2.1-acre lot in the Homewood neighborhood of Minneapolis. With information printed on signs and QR codes with links to learn more, Tree Trek is an interactive way to learn about the trees and ecology of plants. This Tree Trek also focuses on the climate adaptability of different species on the site.
This project builds on previous work at the site. One year ago, county foresters and Northside Safety NET interns hosted a volunteer community planting that followed the plan created by interns and selected by residents during an outreach campaign. County foresters continue to care for the trees and address invasive species.
School recycling assemblies with Twin Cities Road Crew
 Hennepin County partnered with Twin Cities Road Crew during the 2023 to 2024 school year to provide assemblies on waste reduction and recycling for elementary students. The Twin Cities Road Crew performed at 24 schools, reaching approximately 7,000 students. Each student received a Recyclo activity book to reinforce the messaging after the performance.
Habitat conservation at Art-a-Whirl
 Hennepin County habitat conservation staff hosted an educational display at Art-a-Whirl as part of an exhibit focused on environmental advocacy and protecting the natural world. Staff shared outreach materials and answered questions related to wildlife, habitat restoration, and pollinator friendly gardens. Interactive displays included a root display from Metro Blooms, tree and pollinator trivia, and the debut of a new birding activity that engages participants in completing a datasheet or playing our new bird bingo (PDF).
Garden and tree planting at Oak Park
 Hennepin County environmental outreach staff attended the Foster Green Kick-off at Oak Park, an event hosted by Project Sweetie Pie, Pillsbury United Communities, and Big Green to celebrate all things green and growing! Activities included garden education, training, and planting with the Big Green Bus, planting of two ginkgo trees from Hennepin County forestry, and music from Buffalo Weavers.
Behind the scenes: Placing over 500 buoys on Lake Minnetonka
Each spring after ice out is declared on Lake Minnetonka, Hennepin County staff and contractors place 523 navigational buoys to mark channels, points, and hazards. The goal is to get buoys placed within 17 days of ice out to be ready for the coming boating season.
A recent episode of Minnesota Bound offered a behind the scenes look at how buoy prep and placement works. See Hennepin County’s Lake Minnetonka map (PDF) to learn more about the different buoys and how to navigate safely.
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Collaborative efforts succeed at taking four lakes off Minnesota’s impaired waters list
In 2024, four lakes in Hennepin County – Bass and Pomerleau lakes in Plymouth, Fish Lake in Maple Grove, and Sweeney Lake in Golden Valley – were removed from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s impaired waters list. This is no small feat and took years of research, environmental education, public investment, and targeted project implementation among public and private partners to achieve. The four lakes were all added to the impaired waters list for excess nutrients, specifically phosphorous, which can lead to algae blooms that can kill aquatic life and pose risks to people and animals.
These lakes are all within the area of the county covered by the West Metro Water Alliance, a partnership of watersheds, cities, Hennepin County, and nonprofit organizations working together to increase environmental education and improve water quality. Learn about the years of collaborative work that went into removing these lakes from the impaired waters list and the new role the West Metro Water Alliance is taking to continue improving water quality in the Sun Sailor.
Meet the “fixers” who volunteer to help repair appliances, clothing, and more
 Hennepin County holds monthly Fix-It Clinics where residents get paired up with enthusiastic volunteers to repair household items. Residents work alongside the volunteers to they learn how to fix things themselves. Some fixes come down to basic maintenance, such as cleaning the item, while others require a bit more troubleshooting and problem solving to identify the issue. Fix-It Clinics are always fun and a great opportunity for kids to learn and explore. Hear more about the Fix-It Clinic experience on KFAI.
Environmental Education Network meeting: Integrating weather in environmental education
 Tuesday, June 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In person at the Hennepin County Public Works Facility, 1600 Prairie Drive, Medina
Join others interested in environmental education and engagement and get a behind-the-scenes view from Hennepin County Emergency Management about how weather plays into their work and tools they use for education and engagement.
There will also be time to share weather education resources, curriculum, and activities, and learn from other network educators. The meeting will conclude with an optional outdoor tour of an on-site Mesonet Station to learn about the equipment and see real-time sensors.
The environmental education network is open to anyone working to engage their community in learning about and taking action to protect the environment.
Lunch will be provided for RSVPs received by Tuesday, June 4. Register here.
Building material donation collection for Minnetonka residents
Saturday, June 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Minnetonka Public Works (east parking lot); open to Minnetonka residents
Have used or unwanted building materials and tools laying around? Don’t throw them out – donate them! The nonprofit organization Better Futures Minnesota will be at the City of Minnetonka’s Special Community Drop-off Day to collect usable building materials.
All materials will be assessed for quality and potential for resale. Items not accepted by Better Futures can be disposed of the event for applicable charges. Learn more and see a list of acceptable building materials.
Not a Minnetonka resident? See our list of building material reuse organizations (PDF) for donation options.
Hennepin County is a unique urban area. With 200 lakes, 640 miles of streams, three major rivers, 45,000 acres of wetlands and 50 public water accesses, there are so many opportunities to enjoy being on and around water.
But that also means it takes everyone, including people fishing, boating, kayaking, or sailing, those who live on lakes, and those with aquariums or ponds, to help keep our lakes clean and healthy by preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
 Remember to take these steps when moving boats and other equipment this summer:
Clean off any plants, animals and mud from your prop, boat, trailer, and equipment.
Drain the motor, bilge, live well, and other water-containing devices. This includes draining water out of canoes and kayaks.
Dry everything for a minimum of five days or towel dry to make sure organisms can’t survive.
Dispose of unwanted bait in a designated area or trash, not in the water. Drain bait bucket water on vegetation or in designated can or area, not hard surfaces.
Avoid the most common violation – pull your drain plug!
Observations at Hennepin County boat accesses have identified that drain plug violations are the most common watercraft violations. Make sure your boat plug(s) are out unless you are in the water! This includes bilge, live well, and other water containing areas.
 Join fellow lake lovers and pledge to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species
Hennepin County encourages anyone who enjoys our lakes to sign up for Lake Pledge. Over 900 people have already joined!
On the website or app, select what lake you visit most and what activities you enjoy doing on and around the water. Learn how those activities may introduce aquatic invasive species, pledge to take actions to prevent the spread, and see how well your favorite lake is doing compared to others in the county.
Sign up for Lake Pledge
- On a computer: lakepledge.com
- On a mobile device: download the Lake Pledge app on Apple’s App Store or Google Play
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