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In this edition

• Network meeting recap
• Green Pathways interns wrap up summer
• Fall pollinator resources
• Grants for play areas, equipment, lifeguards, and art
• Workshops and webinars
• Conferences

Recap: Environmental education network meeting about developing a sense of place through environmental education

Educators and program managers from cities, watershed districts, nonprofits, schools, and neighborhood organizations gathered on Wednesday, September 10, for the third Hennepin County environmental education network meeting of 2025. The in-person meeting took place at the Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park with a focus on developing a sense of place through environmental education.

A naturalist from Westwood Hills Nature Center first took the group on a guided tour of the nature center, a net zero building featuring solar panels, geothermal heat, and an intentional roof angle that captures the low-angle sun's warmth in winter but shades the high-angle sun in summer. The building featured several art displays by local artists including a collage style art piece using materials from the building, art from the community, and old flyers and brochures. The forest scene wall installation from a St. Louis Park artist was a favorite as it included interactive elements for both adults and kids.

During the second half of the meeting, the group toured the grounds of the nature center stopping by a transplanted bog, a turtle pond, recent tree planting, pollinator garden, and an apiary. The nature center was previously a golf course, so all the habitat at the nature center is completely restored. The habitats and landscapes have involved a lot of intentionality, experimentation, and ongoing management from caretakers. A highlight of the day was finding a baby snapping turtle outside the door to the classroom when the group returned from the tour!

Upcoming network meetings

There will be one more network meeting in 2025. Keep an eye on this newsletter and our environmental education network Facebook group for meeting announcements and details.

Green Pathways interns wrap up summer of exploring environmental careers

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 a food co-op and the Brookdale Library to promote the Stop Food Waste Challenge and conducted outreach at a National Night Out event. They also learned about monitoring habitats for painted turtles and shared what they learned about native fish living in area rivers and lakes.

Now in its fourth year, Green Pathways is a paid summer internship for students facing disparities. 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 University of Minnesota student and included three high-school aged interns recruited through the BrookLynk program.

Plant native flowers for pollinators this fall

Fall is a great time to plant native perennials in Minnesota and a perfect opportunity to engage participants in hands-on environmental learning! Pollinators like monarch butterflies rely on late-blooming flowers like goldenrod, New England aster, and meadow blazing star for energy during their long migration.

Fall planting helps roots establish in cool, moist soil, setting plants up for success next spring. When planting seeds, press them into the soil surface, but don’t bury them. Water once if the soil is dry, then let nature do the rest. This is a simple conservation practice that participants can replicate at home or in gardens in their communities or schools!

Encourage participants to see the beauty in a wild-looking landscape by resisting “cleaning up” of gardens. Leaving stalks and seed heads provides winter shelter for bees and butterflies and food for birds. If you have one, use a garden at your location as an example of this practice. A “messy” garden is a healthy habitat!

By encouraging participants to plant natives this fall and leave dead plants standing through winter, you’re helping monarchs and other pollinators thrive!

Order free literature to support pollinators

Looking for ready-to-use materials to support pollinator and wildlife education? Literature is available to download or order for free.

Teach participants how to create habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators (available in English and Spanish) and how to support backyard bird populations, provide habitat for birds, and build and maintain a bat house.

Encourage people to learn about the birds in their neighborhood with Bird BINGO and make sure to correctly manage yard waste this fall.

Grants for play areas, equipment, lifeguards, and art

The Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants program is now accepting applications from cities, public school districts, public park districts, and public watershed districts for the following grant opportunities:  

• Play areas: up to $300,000 

• Equipment: up to $10,000 

• Lifeguard services: up to $50,000 

• Arts and music: up to $25,000 

Get an overview of the program from slides shared at an August information meeting (PDF). Full instructions and applications can be found in the Hennepin County Supplier Portal under contracting opportunities. Applications are due on Tuesday, September 30.

Workshops and webinars

Outdoor learning virtual workshops

Take Me Outside and Outdoor Learning Partners are offering free outdoor learning virtual workshops this fall. These one-hour sessions begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning September 23. Registrants can access recordings if they are unable to attend live. Upcoming workshops include:

• Learning from the land: Indigenous teachings and resources
• Indigenous learning across the seasons
• Learning through lifecycles: a spotlight on salmon
• Outdoor learning in parks and protected places
• Taking science outdoors! Resources, tools and activities
• Outdoor learning in the early years

Find details and register for an outdoor learning workshop.

Free backyard composting webinars

Start turning your food scraps and yard waste into compost—right in your own backyard. About 25% of what we throw away is organic materials like food, napkins and paper towels that could be put to better use as compost. Hennepin County offers free online webinars to help you get started. Learn how to set up your compost pile, what materials you can compost, how to get the mix right, and more. There is no charge to sign up, but registration is required.

• Friday, September 26 from noon to 1 p.m. Virtual on Zoom.
• Tuesday, October 14 from 7 to 8 p.m. Virtual on Zoom.

Learn more about backyard composting in Hennepin County at hennepin.us/composting.

Outdoor skills and stewardship webinar series

Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m.

Sharpen your outdoor skills by attending a free online webinar through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Upcoming topics include shallow lake management for waterfowl, how to use trail cameras to spot wildlife, lampreys in Minnesota, and fall lake trout stocking. Series details and webinar registration.

Conferences this fall

North American Association for Environmental Education Virtual Conference

November 3 to 6

This virtual conference will highlight how environmental educators can move forward by harnessing collective wisdom and diverse perspectives to create a more just and sustainable future. The themes is Forward Together. Registration for the full conference is $360. There is a reduced rate option available. North American Association for Environmental Education conference details.

Midwest Environmental Education Conference

November 13 to 15 at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in Makanda, Il

The Midwest Environmental Education Conference (MEEC) will include colleagues from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The theme is Nature Connects All and experiential presentations are being prioritized for the conference. Registration for the full conference that includes food and lodging is $210. There is a student discount available. MEEC conference details.

Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education Conference

November 13 to 15 in Fall Creek, WI

The Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) is hosting a conference at Beaver Creek Reserve in Fall Creek, Wisconsin November 13 to 15. The theme is Strong Roots, Igniting Change. Registration for the full conference is $380. A reduced equity rate is available. WAEE conference details.

Minnesota Naturalists’ Association Conference

November 14 to 16 at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro

The 2025 Minnesota Naturalists’ Association (MNA) Conference will be held at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center from November 14 to 16. The conference will feature keynote speakers, field trips, and a silent auction and raffle. Registration for the full conference including lodging and food is $220. There is a conference scholarship available. MNA conference details.

Learn more

hennepin.us/environmentaleducation
Environmental education network Facebook group