Tuesday, October 8 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. with optional happy hour to follow at Utepils Brewing
 Get ready to connect, learn, and have a blast at the fall Hennepin County Environmental education network meeting in north Minneapolis. This free event is all about getting to know others, building connections, and exploring an urban forestry site. Keep the connections going at an optional happy hour at Utepils Brewing beginning at about 3:45 p.m.
Dress to be outdoors from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A rain date has been set for Thursday, October 10 (we’ll let you know by Monday, October 7 if we need to reschedule).
Map to urban forestry site (Several Metro transit routes run near the site. Street parking is available surrounding the site)
Map to Utepils Brewing
Background on the site: in 2023 Hennepin County foresters worked with interns at Northside Safety NET to design a tree planting for the 2.1-acre vacant lot at the intersection of 8th and Washburn Avenue North in the Homewood neighborhood of Minneapolis. Trees were planted in May 2023 and interpretive Tree Trek signage was installed in 2024.
 Spread the word
Many of us intend to take action on issues we care about but struggle to figure out which changes or new habits fit into our busy lives. If you’ve ever wanted to reduce the amount of waste you create, the Zero Waste Challenge is a great opportunity to learn more and get personalized help.
Please spread the word about how to join the challenge to your audiences by using the newsletter articles and social media posts in the media kit (DOCX).
Apply to join the challenge
Throughout the eight-month challenge, participating households develop a personalized waste reduction plan, receive one-on-one coaching and support, attend educational workshops, receive waste reduction tips, get access to supplies and educational materials, and connect with other households.
The upcoming Zero Waste Challenge will run from September 2024 through April 2025. You must be a Hennepin County resident to participate. Complete the online application by Saturday, August 31.
When you waste food, you waste money. We toss nearly 40% of food in the U.S. For a family of four, that can add up to more than $2,500 in wasted food every year!
It’s not just a waste of money. Wasting food also wastes the water, fertilizer, land, and labor needed to get that food from the fields to our tables.
Hennepin County’s Trash or Cash campaign aims to help residents put more money in their pockets by wasting less food. The campaign uses a game show theme and partnerships with local chefs to help people learn better habits for buying food they’ll eat and eating the food they have.
Spread the word!
Help promote the campaign:
-
Download the Trash or Cash media kit (DOCX) and share the articles, social media posts, graphics, images, and videos in your communication channels.
-
Sign up for and share Fridge Check Friday emails. These are weekly reminders to use up food before it goes bad plus snack-sized kitchen hacks to help you get the most out of their groceries.
-
Encourage your audience to visit TrashorCash.org for wasted food facts, kitchen cash hacks, resources, and more!
Hennepin County foresters helped youth interns from Emerge and Project Sweetie Pie build a gravel bed nursery at Pillsbury Urban Farm in north Minneapolis in late July. Interns learned basic carpentry and became familiar with forestry career options.
The 20 trees growing in the gravel bed will be planted by Project Sweetie Pie and Tree Trust at private residences in north Minneapolis this fall.
The project was funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and was completed in partnership with Ajani Collective, City of Minneapolis, Emerge Minneapolis, Pillsbury United Communities, Project Sweetie Pie, Renewing the Countryside, and Tree Trust.
17 Healthy Tree Canopy grants awarded
Hennepin County recently awarded 17 Healthy Tree Canopy grants totaling nearly $434,000. Grant projects will take place in eight cities, on two affordable housing properties, at three schools, and through five nonprofit organizations, including congregations and neighborhood associations. More than 920 trees will be planted or treated through the grant projects.
Environmental education grants include:
- Groves Learning Organization: $10,000 to plant 10 trees and conduct tree-related education at school.
-
Independent School District 271: $9,850 to plant 50 trees and conduct tree-related education on school property in Bloomington.
- Tree Trust: $10,000 to hold an educational event and plant 30 trees at a Maple Grove school.
Learn more about the grants awarded.
In the first half of 2024, Hennepin County awarded five grants totaling $66,220 to schools to reduce waste and expand recycling and organics programs. Grant recipients include one public school district, one private school, two charter schools, and one university.
Rolling applications of up to $15,000 from any K-12 school, preschool, college, or university in the county will be accepted through November 15, or until the annual program budget is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
Free composting workshops
 f you're considering composting at your organization or school or need tips for your garden compost bin, join a free online webinar with a composting and recycling specialist from Hennepin County. Learn how to set up your compost pile, what materials you can compost, and get your questions answered.
There is no charge to sign up, but registration is required.
Upcoming workshops
-
Friday, September 13 from noon to 1 p.m. Virtual on Zoom. Register.
-
Tuesday, September 24 from 7 to 8 p.m. Virtual on Zoom. Register.
Volunteers needed at Metro Children's Water Festival
Wednesday, September 25 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds
Volunteers are needed to help over 1,900 fourth graders engage in interactive education about our water resources. This program is made possible by many generous contributors, including volunteers like you! All volunteers are provided with bagels and hot breakfast in the morning and lunch.
Review volunteer positions and sign up.
Aquatic invasive species research and management showcase
Wednesday, September 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in St. Paul
Join the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center to explore groundbreaking research, meet leading experts, and learn about innovative solutions to protect Minnesota’s waters.
Cost: $50 with discounted and free tickets available.
The following organization 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.
MIGIZI Green Tech interns race in the Solar Boat Regatta
MIGIZI Green Tech interns rolled up their sleeves and dove into the challenge of entering the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society Annual Solar Boat Regatta!
The regatta, held in May at Riley Lake Park Pavilion in Eden Prairie, showcased 12 teams and their homemade, solar-powered boats. The solar boat races educate students about solar energy, design, and engineering. The boats make use of the sun's radiation, which generates electricity and is either stored in a battery or used directly to run the boat's electric motor. No other power source is allowed.
The MIGIZI Green Tech interns designed an innovative 100-watt solar panel system to power the battery and trolling motor on their canoe. The canoe also featured a meaningful mural advocating for indigenous land rights and environmental protection.
Learn more
hennepin.us/environmentaleducation
Environmental education network Facebook group
|
