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Apply for school recycling and waste prevention grants
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Provide feedback on updates to aquatic invasive species prevention guidelines
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Sign up for the Plastic-Free Challenge
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Attend upcoming events on green jobs, and networking in STEM education
- Learn about proper salt use during Winter Salt Week
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Gain knowledge from a mentor during a nature walk
Apply now for a school recycling grant
Grants are available for schools to start or improve programs to reduce waste and keep recycling and organic materials, including food and non-recyclable paper, out of the trash.
Eligible organizations include preschools, K-12 schools, colleges and universities in Hennepin County. See the grant flyer (PDF) and grant guidelines (PDF) for more information about the program.
Grant funding can be used to fund staff time for project implementation as well as to purchase equipment and supplies including recycling and organics recycling containers, sorting stations, reusable food service ware, and bulk condiment dispensers.
Application timeline
The first round of funding will be available to two-year colleges, Head Start, and preschools and K-12 schools where more than 50% of students are eligible for educational benefits, such as the former free or reduced lunch program. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 27. Schools may apply for up to $20,000 in the first round.
Applications of up to $15,000 from any K-12 school, preschool, college, or university in the county will be accepted in the second round from March 18 through October 15, or until available funds are depleted.
Information meetings
Virtual information meetings are a chance to find out more about the grant program, hear about and share project ideas, understand the application process, and get your questions answered.
A virtual information session will be held via Zoom
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Wednesday January 29 from 9 to 10 a.m. Register.
Learn more
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Since 2014, Hennepin County has received approximately $315,000 per year from the State of Minnesota to implement plans to stop the introduction or limit the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).
To receive funding, the county must establish guidelines describing how we will use the funds. Current guidelines expire at the end of 2025. This year, the county is conducting a public engagement process to develop the 2026 to 2030 AIS guidelines.
Invasive plants, animals, and diseases can harm lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands by reducing wildlife diversity, degrading habitat, and impacting water quality. People can unintentionally spread invasive species by moving boats, gear, and equipment from one waterbody to another or releasing non-native species into the environment. Through this AIS guideline update we will gather input from stakeholders and residents about their priorities.
Take a survey
Take this brief survey to help Hennepin County shape the guidelines for how it utilizes state AIS prevention funding for the next five years (2026 to 2030).
Fill out the survey by Sunday, January 26 at midnight. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Learn more and stay informed
Sign up is open for the Plastic-Free Challenge
With so many single-use plastic items in our lives, avoiding them may feel overwhelming! Fortunately, there is a lot we can do to help create a world with less plastic. Are you up for the challenge? Join the Plastic-Free Challenge to explore what’s possible.
Join the challenge as an individual or create a team to take the challenge with your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues!
North Hennepin Community College Green Jobs and Pathways Fair
Friday, January 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park
Join North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) to learn about the outdoor recreation and green job industry and upcoming job and internship opportunities. Enjoy networking, resume reviews, and a panel discussion with local employers while learning more about NHCC’s new Outdoor and Environmental Leadership degree. Lunch is provided for free. Find additional details in the flyer (PDF).
The fair is held at Helling Hall, Center for Business Technology (195) at 7411 85th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445. Register for the green job fair.
STEM on Tap
The STEM on Tap workshop series connects middle and high school STEM educators to practitioners, resources, and each other. Each workshop takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at a brewery in the southwest metro and features a different STEM practitioner and topic.
Upcoming workshops:
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Wednesday, February 12: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
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Wooden Hill Brewing Co, 7421 Bush Lake Rd, Edina
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Wednesday, March 12: Winter Tree ID and Plants
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Wooden Hill Brewing Co, 7421 Bush Lake Rd, Edina
Mentor nature walk with Minnesota Naturalists’ Association
Sunday, February 23 at 1 p.m. at Lowry Nature Center in Victoria, MN
Minnesota Naturalists’ Association is filled with neat folks with a wide breadth of knowledge and experience. With spring just starting and winter holding on, join Brett Sieberer and Katie Frias to gain institutional know-how. Mentor nature walk details and registration.
Become a Community Recycling Ambassador
If you or your participants and partners are looking for ways to volunteer in your community, consider Hennepin County’s Community Recycling Ambassador program!
Community Recycling Ambassadors are trained on waste prevention, recycling and composting, and effective communication skills through a six-week course, with one class each week, taught by industry experts and community leaders. This training program is free to participants.
Apply for the spring 2025 class
The spring 2025 class will be held virtually every Thursday from February 20 through March 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. The application will open on Thursday, January 23 and close on Thursday, February 6. Sign up to be notified when the application opens.
Winter Salt Awareness Week
All the salt that we apply to streets and sidewalks ends up in our freshwater. Excessive application of winter salt damages infrastructure, harms freshwater ecosystems, and threatens our drinking water.
Winter Salt Week helps educate about salt pollution, how it affects our health and freshwater ecosystems, what’s being done, and how everyone can support local efforts.
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Monday, January 27 at 12:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.: An eye on salt pollution
- Tuesday, January 28 at 12:30 p.m.: Dilution is not the solution
- Thursday, January 30 at 12:30 p.m.: Policy solutions panel
National Geographic Slingshot Challenge for youth
Changing the future of conservation begins with small steps. National Geographic invites 13 to 18-year-olds to submit a 1-minute video describing their idea for solving environmental issues for a chance to receive up to $10,000 in funding.
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