 Every tree planted means prettier neighborhoods, cooler yards, and healthier communities. We are over halfway to our climate-action goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030. Every tree gets us closer, and the best part is, you can help make it happen!
It’s easy as 1, 2, Tree:
- Pick the right tree for you
- Plant your tree
- Take care of your tree
Find a tree selection quiz, helpful videos, and links to resources at HennepinTrees.org. It’s that easy!
 Huge shoutout to Hennepin County’s favorite bars, cafes, and restaurants who have prevented 1 million plastic items from entering the waste stream through MNimize participation! Next time you grab a drink or a bite, raise a glass to sustainability by visiting a MNimize business.
- 150 locations have swapped single-use plastic items for compostable and reusable alternatives.
- 83,000 pounds of trash have been prevented.
- $90,000 has been saved in operating costs.
MNimize is a program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Hennepin County that provides support and recognition to food businesses working to reduce single-use plastic waste.
 Congrats to Opportunity Crossing for winning a Minnesota Brownfields ReScape Award.
Hennepin County’s Environmental Response Fund (ERF) helped clean up the project site near 31st Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis. The site's long history includes as the former location of Wright Field, where the Minneapolis Millers played, and later a bank that was damaged during the civil unrest in 2020. Today, Opportunity Crossing is a six‑story, mixed‑use building with 110 affordable family housing units above a new Wells Fargo branch and a few commercial condos for local entrepreneurs.
Along with Opportunity Crossing, two more ERF grantees were honored with ReScape nominations: Debre Selam and Kyle Garden Square. These projects exemplify how thoughtful remediation and redevelopment can revitalize a community.
 Conservation easements help protect the natural areas, clean water, open spaces, and wildlife habitat that residents enjoy every day. By preventing future development on natural lands, conservation easements help reduce flooding, protect local lakes and streams, maintain scenic views, and preserve the natural beauty of Hennepin County. They also help ensure long‑term habitat for pollinators and wildlife, which supports local ecosystems and agriculture. When landowners choose to permanently protect their property, all residents benefit!
Learn more about conservation easements in our new video (YouTube).
 Lawns to Legumes: Habitat at Home is a free, guided program to help create, expand, or care for pollinator friendly spaces this fall. Participants receive seasonal step-by-step guidance, access to webinars and resources, and opportunities to connect with a community across the state. Optional coaching is available as capacity allows.
This program is offered through Lawns to Legumes, a collaborative state-funded effort administered by Blue Thumb, which Hennepin County is a member of, and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. No grant required, just your interest and a bit of space to grow. Sign up to get started.
 Hennepin County drop-off facilities will be closed for the Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 19. We will be open Saturday, June 20.
Gravel-bed tree nursery open house
Wednesday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Plymouth
Visit the Hennepin County gravel-bed tree nursery to learn about the use of gravel beds to grow hardy, diverse, and cost-effective trees. Connect with county foresters to talk about gravel beds, species selection, planting stock management, and tree care questions.
Tours will run regularly throughout the open house. The event is fully outdoors on unpaved and uneven terrain. No bathroom facilities are available. Please register to get detailed instructions on getting to the gravel bed.
Register for the June 3 gravel bed open house and tour.
Planting seeds, protecting water
Wednesday, June 3 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Four Sisters Urban Farm, 2839 17th Ave S in Minneapolis
As part of the Sacred Water, Shared Future campaign celebrating 100 years of progress in restoring the Mississippi River, join us to learn, reflect, and act in honoring Dakota stewardship of this land.
Hope Flanagan from Dream of Wild Health will share Indigenous knowledge and traditions about seeds, plants, and our relationships with the Earth and water. Seeds and equipment provided. Also learn about resources available from various Hennepin County departments and other organizations.
Register for June 3 planting seeds, protecting water.
Hennepin-University Partnership webinar: Food skills and food waste
Thursday, June 4 at 11 a.m.
Food waste is a major environmental and public health challenge, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and representing the largest component of household trash. While increasing food skills is often viewed as a solution, the relationship between food literacy and waste reduction is not yet well understood.
In this Hennepin-University Partnership webinar, learn insights from a recent Hennepin County and University of Minnesota study on how food skills influence food waste at the household level. The discussion will highlight key findings, research gaps, and implications for future programming and policy to support climate action and zero waste goals.
Register for the food skills and food waste webinar.
Swap It: Sports equipment
Tuesday, June 16 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Plymouth Community Center
Early drop-off only beings at 4 p.m. (no swapping); final items accepted at 7 p.m.
 Bring gently used gear you no longer need. Take sports equipment you can use. Swap it—for free! The theme for this Swap-It event is sports. From skateboards to scooters, gear bags to golf clubs, there’s something for every good sport. Let’s play!
Swap-it guidelines and accepted items.
Introduction to tree identification
Thursday, June 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Kylawn Park in Brooklyn Center
Learn the basics of how to identify common trees in Hennepin County. This workshop will take place entirely outdoors on both paved and unpaved trails.
Register for June 18 tree identification.
 Every spring and summer, many of us feel the urge to refresh our homes. New colors, new layouts, maybe even new furniture. But before clicking “Add to Cart” on a cheap dresser or bookshelf, it’s worth taking a closer look at the environmental and financial cost of “fast furniture” and why buying used furniture is an affordable way make a more sustainable choice.
Fast furniture is made quickly, sold cheaply, and often built from low quality materials like particleboard, laminates, and synthetic fabrics. These items are often designed to last only 5 to 10 years (or less) before they break, sag, or go out of style.
Buying used or vintage furniture typically means better quality, lower cost, unique style, and less environmental impact. Spring and summer bring garage sales, neighborhood events, moving-season giveaways, and community markets that make used furniture easy to find.
Get tips on resources in the latest Choose To Reuse article on avoiding fast furniture.
|
