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In this edition

• Recap of our networking meeting
• Webinars on data from NASA
• Expedition toolkit for outdoor education
• Youth resources
• Green Partners grantee updates

Recap: Environmental education tree-mendous networking meeting

Educators, volunteers, and several interested staff members gathered on Tuesday, October 8, for the third Hennepin County environmental education network meeting of 2024. The meeting was largely dedicated to networking with fellow environmental educators while exploring an urban forestry site.

Attendees spent time getting to know each other, building connections, and learning about the new Tree Trek site in north Minneapolis from Hennepin County Forester, Jack Lucas. The site was installed in 2023 when 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 8^th 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. The group discussed how this youth-led project came to fruition and other urban forestry goals.

In addition, participants spent time networking, completing a fun BINGO activity to learn about each other and the trees at the site, and drawing a picture of a tree that was important to them growing up (pictured above).

Upcoming network meeting

Stay tuned to future editions of this newsletter and the Facebook group for an invitation to our next network meeting, which will be virtual and focus on environmental engagement on social media.

Grants are available for community-based waste prevention projects

Community zero waste grants provide funding to community-based organizations to develop and lead waste prevention and diversion projects.

Examples of projects could include community-led swaps, repair clinics, special material collections, and recycling or organics drop-off sites that address waste programming gaps or culturally specific needs.

Eligible applicants include:

• Community-based organizations located in Hennepin County that are registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
• Non-profit organizations that demonstrate community partnership and aim to expand zero-waste capacities in underserved areas of Hennepin County.

Applicants may apply for up to $100,000 per year for up to 3 years to implement projects that advance the county’s zero-waste goals. There is no minimum grant award. Review the grant flyer (PDF) and the 2024 community zero waste grant guidelines (PDF) to learn more. Applications are due on Wednesday, December 4 at 2 p.m.

If you have questions about grants, contact the community zero waste grant coordinator, Didier Bolanos Gonzalez at Didier.BolanosGonzalez@hennepin.us or visit the community zero waste grant webpage.

Professional development and education resources

My NASA Data webinar series

Join My NASA Data for a series of free professional development webinars spotlighting tools and resources to enhance earth science learning in grades 3-12. Dive into the features and educational materials available through the My NASA Data website and learn how to seamlessly integrate them into your classroom.

Webinars are offered at 6 p.m. on the following Tuesdays:

• October 22: Data literacy for all
• November 19: Exploring mini lessons
• December 3: Exploring story maps
• January 28: Exploring lesson plans

Register for a free My NASA Data webinar.

Get Dirty! Learning Expedition Toolkit

The Get Dirty! Learning Expedition Toolkit from the National Environmental Education Foundation assists educators in planning instructive and memorable student outings that incorporate best practices for outdoor environmental education. The toolkit proceeds step-by-step from planning to conducting to presenting place-based projects. Additional resources, tips, and supplemental activities are included.

• Download the toolkit in English (8MB PDF)
• Download the toolkit in Spanish (8MB PDF)

Youth opportunities and resources

Youth Environmental Activist network registration now open

High school students are invited to join the Youth Environmental Activist network (YEA!). YEA! is a network for Minnesota youth acting on the systems perpetuating the climate crisis. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until spots are filled. Learn more about YEA! and apply.

Virtual visits from NOAA/NASA available for classrooms

Students can interact with experts from NOAA and NASA in live programs exploring the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites. In the 30-to-45-minute program, students learn about the Western Hemisphere’s most sophisticated weather-observing and environmental monitoring system. Apply for a virtual visit.

Green Partners grantee highlights

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.

MIGIZI makes strides with green technology

MIGIZI Green Tech interns learn about rockets, robotics, and drones!

MIGIZI’s Green Tech interns concluded their summer exploring how technology can be used to make strides toward a greener, more sustainable future.

The interns partnered with The Plum Catalyst to learn how to code using SkillQuest, create robotics using Lego, and explore aerospace travel by building model rockets. They also received training in drone safety and completed a drone certification course! Interns then competed in a rocket competition where their designs were put to the test. Afterward, they took a field trip to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to learn how they use drones to study traffic patterns and learn about possible career paths for Native youth.

MIGIZI Green Tech Instructor, Antavia Paredes-Beaulieu awarded Step Up Supervisor of the Year

MIGIZI’s Green Tech Instructor, Antavia Paredes-Beaulieu, has been honored with the Step Up Supervisor of the Year award by Achieve Twin Cities. Antavia was nominated by three of her interns! In their nominations, one student said, “She is a very supportive, helpful, well-prepared person. Ever since she’s been my supervisor, I’ve learned a handful of different skills while having fun. She’s opened multiple different opportunities for me. I really appreciate her, and I think she deserves to be supervisor of the year.” Congratulations Antavia!

Tangletown Neighborhood Association successfully reduces e-waste

Tangletown Neighborhood Association has had outstanding participation in their “Managing Electronic, Appliance and Tech Waste Responsibly” Green Partners project. The group engaged 391 people in recycling e-waste by collecting commitments to recycle e-waste and partnering with the county to host a Fix-It Clinic in their community. At the Fix-it Clinic, more than 878 pounds of waste were diverted from the trash, with 141 people attending. Seventy-five percent of the 200 items brought to the event were fixed!

Results from Tangletown Fix-It Clinic

Tangletown Neighborhood Association also hosted an e-waste collection event in partnership with Repowered, a local e-waste recycler, for electronics recycling, collecting over 3,000 pounds of electronics, including computers, cell phones, tablets, batteries, remotes, speakers, and game controllers. Kellie Kish from the City of Minneapolis attended to help answer questions from residents.

This project was successful at getting participants to reduce the amount of electronic waste they generated. In follow-up surveys, the most common behavior change made by participants was to keep and use their electronics for longer.

Read about the results of the Fix-It Clinic and watch recordings of e-waste webinars.

Learn more

hennepin.us/environmentaleducation
Environmental education network Facebook group