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Green Pathways interns recently wrapped up a busy summer of exploring environmental work and careers. The interns watered trees, learned about hazardous waste, and wrote social media content. They tabled at local food coops to promote the Stop Food Waste Challenge and conducted outreach at a National Night Out event. They even got a little wet while biomonitoring in Minnehaha Creek.
 Green Pathways interns hosted a table at Seward Coop to promote the Stop Food Waste Challenge and recruit participants for their team – the Chip Crusaders.
Now in its third year, Green Pathways is a paid summer internship for youth of color. By creating a supportive cohort and teaching green job skills for resumes, the program is designed to inspire youth to consider environmental careers.
This summer’s intern cohort was led by a recent graduate from Augsburg University and included three high-school aged interns recruited through the BrookLynk program.
Provide comments on the plan by September 5
The draft 2024 Hennepin County Solid Waste Management Plan (PDF) is available for the public to review. Provide written comments by completing the solid waste plan comment form.
Hennepin County, like all metro area counties, must submit a county-specific plan that implements the required strategies and various optional strategies in the state’s Metro Solid Waste Policy Plan (PDF).
The county’s solid waste plan builds on the research, engagement and policy development from the past three years to accelerate zero waste. The solid waste plan incorporates the county's prioritized highest impact zero-waste actions to accelerate a zero-waste future.
Next steps
Comments submitted by September 5 will be considered by the solid waste plan development team as the plan is finalized. Staff will develop a summary of the public feedback received and will share a summary of final changes made to the plan based on this feedback.
The plan will then be submitted for formal consideration and adoption by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. The county’s plan must be approved by the board and submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) no later than October 29, 2024. Get additional updates on the solid waste management planning process.
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.
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. Complete the online application by Tuesday, September 3.
 Kids participating in the Zero Waste Challenge play toys that were purchased used
Hennepin County was impacted by a period of intense storms and flooding this June and July, and the state is seeking assistance from the public to document the damage. Based on the volume of reports, the state may add Hennepin County to its list of counties eligible for individual assistance.
Any Hennepin County residents impacted by storms and flooding between June 16 and July 4, 2024, should fill out the property damage form as soon as possible. Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will use this information as they assess damage.
 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. Through this project, interns learned basic carpentry skills and became familiar with forestry career options.
Gravel bed nurseries allow trees to grow and develop a good root structure throughout the summer before being transplanted in the fall. The 20 trees in this gravel bed will be planted by Project Sweetie Pie and Tree Trust at private residences in north Minneapolis.
Planting trees in areas with lower tree canopy cover to mitigate the heat island effect and improve air quality is an important part of our community forestry strategic plan. 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.
Learn more about urban and community forestry work in Hennepin County.
Green Partners environmental education grants awarded
 MGIZI Green Tech interns launching their canoe for the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society Annual Solar Boat Regatta!
Hennepin County recently awarded Green Partners environmental education grants totaling $778,000 to 27 community organizations to engage their audiences in learning about and taking action to protect the environment.
Three types of grants were awarded:
- 6 organizations will work primarily with adult audience to motivate environmental actions
- 17 organizations will work primarily with youth to learn about the environment and become environmental stewards
- 4 organizations will offer green jobs education, training, and employment
Together, these projects will engage more than 9,400 people, including more than 8,100 youth, offer green job employment and training to more than 70 youth, and reach more than 116,000 people with environmental messages.
School waste prevention and recycling grants awarded, funding still available
In the first half of 2024, Hennepin County awarded five school recycling grants totaling $66,220 to schools to reduce waste and expand recycling and organics programs. Grant recipients include Anderson Middle School in Minneapolis, Eagle Ridge Academy in Minnetonka, Hope Academy in Minneapolis, Stonebridge World School in Minneapolis, and the University of Minnesota.
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 as funds remain.
Environmental Response Fund cleanup grants awarded, applications for fall round due November 1
The county recently awarded 4 grants totaling $830,000 for environmental cleanup that helps with redevelopment of contaminated sites. The grants will fund assessment, soil cleanup, vapor mitigation, and other abatement activities at a clinic and affordable housing building for the Native American community in Minneapolis, senior living facility in Bloomington, and supportive housing in Minneapolis. One of the grants will provide continued support to the Brownfields Gap Financing Program, which provides small environmental grants to government entities and non-profit organizations.
Applications for the next round of Environmental Response Fund grants are due November 1. Potential applicants should contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs.
Business waste prevention grant success: 52,000 disposable cups avoided annually
Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge used a Hennepin County waste prevention grant to make the switch from single-use paper coffee cups to reusable coffee mugs. With this change, they are eliminating the use of at least 52,000 disposable cups every year.
Gathering data to improve our response to extreme heat
This summer, more than 120 volunteer community scientists collected data in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties as part of NOAA’s 2024 Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign.
Using heat sensors mounted on their cars, the volunteers traversed designated routes in the morning, afternoon, and evening on one of the hottest days of the year. The sensors recorded data every second measuring temperature, humidity, time, and location. Hennepin County will use this data to map urban heat islands and understand which parts of the county are most vulnerable to extreme heat.
Ride along with Hennepin County staff and volunteers to hear how the study worked and why increasing our understanding of extreme heat is important: watch our YouTube video, listen to MPR, or read the Sahan Journal article.
Building material donation opportunities
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 following city events to collect building materials to be reused.
All materials will be assessed for quality and potential for resale. Visit the event websites for more details, including a list of accepted materials.
Can’t make a drop-off event? See our list of building material reuse organizations (PDF) for donation options.
Free backyard composting webinars
Start recycling your food scraps and yard waste into compost — right in your own backyard. Fall and the abundance of dry leaves it provides is a great time to get started!
Hennepin County is offering free webinars that cover how to set up your compost pile, what materials you can compost, how to get the right mix of materials, and more. There is no charge to sign up, but registration is required.
- 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.
Electrify Everything workshop
Saturday, October 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at North Regional Library in Minneapolis
Have questions about heat pumps or clean energy? Planning to replace an old appliance soon? Learn all about home electrification at an upcoming workshop presented by the Center for Energy and the Environment and sponsored by Hennepin County.
Learn how to switch from fossil fuel-powered appliances to cleaner electric options and the resources and incentives available to help you make the switch. Connect with contractors to ask questions and get your project started.
The workshop is free but RSVPs are required. Participants will be entered to win a free induction cooktop!
 Trees and forests provide many benefits. They improve air and water quality, contribute to better health and well-being, provide shade that gives us relief from the heat and saves energy, create wildlife habitat, and increase property values. Trees play an important role in fighting climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The county has a climate-action goal of planting 1 million trees with the help of cities, partners, and residents by 2030, and we’re already over one-third of the way there!
If you’re looking to plant trees, some factors to consider when selecting the best tree for your location include:
- How much room does it have to grow?
- Is it going to be planted near a street or utility lines?
- How much sun will it get?
- Does it need to be tolerant of road salt?
- Is it well-suited for current and future climate conditions?
- Does it add to the diversity of tree species planted in the area?
Seem like a lot to consider? Hennepin County’s new recommended trees booklet (PDF) can help you navigate these questions to find a good tree for your location. Order a free printed copy to bring with you when you go tree shopping.
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