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ABOUT GREENNOTES
GreenNotes covers environmental news, programs and events from Hennepin County.
Please take a few moments to read our stories. Share your feedback and ideas for protecting the environment. Please forward this email to interested individuals and encourage them to sign up.
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 Funding is available to public and non-public, K – 12 schools through the Hennepin County School Recycling Assistance Program for projects to implement or improve recycling and organics recycling programs.
A total of $200,000 is available. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013.
For more information, email Andre Xiong or call 612-543-1316.
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On February 5, KARE 11 began airing an 11-week series called the Great Green Challenge. Each week, they are tackling a different aspect of going green, such as recycling, reducing waste and buying green products. The segments air every Tuesday at 5 p.m. and are posted to KARE 11's Great Green Challenge web page.
 Join fellow waste reduction enthusiasts and become an advocate for the three Rs in your community as a Hennepin County Master Recycler/Composter. Master Recycler/Composters are trained volunteers who work to reduce waste generation and increase public awareness of opportunities to recycle and compost.
The spring course will be held on Tuesday evenings, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and May 7 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, 2522 Marshall Street NE in Minneapolis. Optional field trips will take place on Friday, April 12 and 26. Register now for the spring course!
For more information, email Carolyn Collopy or call or 612-596-0993.
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 Have you ever experienced the living wonder of a wetland? Have you wanted to wade in and discover the plants and animals that live there? If so, Hennepin County has a unique volunteer opportunity through the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP).
Adult volunteers work under the direction of a team leader and receive training on wetland monitoring, including plant and insect identification. They then wade through wetlands to collect and identify dragonflies, snails, cattails and more. The total time commitment is 20 to 40 hours throughout the months of May, June and July. All equipment and training is provided - no science background or previous experience is needed. Participating cities use the collected data to help determine the health of water resources and assist with natural resource management.
For more information, email Mary Karius or call 612-596-9129.
Is your organization planning an event for Earth Day? Staff from Environmental Services is available on Earth Day, or at any other time of the year, to give presentations, staff tables or share information on a wide variety of environmental topics.
To request that Environmental Services staff attend your event, email Anita Urvina Davis or call 612-348-6848.
 Five projects funded through the Hennepin County Riparian Restoration and Stream Bank Stabilization Program to reduce erosion and stabilize stream banks in the county have been completed. Hennepin County received $500,000 in funding for this program in 2010 through the Clean Water Fund, which was established as part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.
The projects stabilized more than 20,000 feet of stream banks along portions of Bassett Creek, Elm Creek, Lower Riley Creek, Upper Nine Mile Creek and Plymouth Creek. Stabilizing stream banks through re-grading, re-vegetation and placing riprap helps reduce erosion by holding soil in place, protects water quality by filtering sediments and pollutants, provides wildlife habitat and cover for fish, and creates scenic beauty along the water’s edge. The completed projects will prevent 590 pounds of phosphorous and 580 tons of sediment per year from entering streams. The projects also provided employment for youth through the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Tree Trust.
See the February 2013 RASP Project Updates for more information.
For more information, email Jim Kujawa or call 612-348-7338.
In the News
 One-sort recycling, in which all glass, plastic, paper, metal and cardboard are placed into one cart, rolled out to 30,000 Minneapolis residents in fall 2012. The collection routes that switched to one-sort recycling in the fall increased recycling by 63 percent in the first six weeks. That’s 396 more tons of waste that was recycled. The remaining 80,000 Minneapolis households will get their one-sort recycling carts this spring. The switch to one-sort recycling is part of the city’s effort to double its recycling rate by 2015.
Hennepin County developed educational materials and signage for the one-sort roll out and has partnered with Minneapolis to implement one- and two-sort recycling pilot programs. Read more in the Star Tribune, MPR and Twin Cities Daily Planet.
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Sending electronic invitations, buying in bulk, using reusable tableware and providing recycling for guests are just a few things you can do to make your dinner parties, barbeques and other events zero-waste. Read more zero-waste event tips from Master Recycler/Composter Kathleen Hartman in Plymouth Magazine, and get event recycling resources.
Surly Brewing has secured funding for environmental cleanup at the site of its planned brewery, restaurant, beer garden and event center in Minneapolis. A combination of funding from the Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund, Metropolitan Council and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will be used to remediate the contaminated site. Hennepin County recently awarded Surly Brewing $450,000 for contaminated fill cleanup. Read more in the Star Tribune.
 Bringing reusable bags with you when you go shopping is an easy way to reduce waste. To use them effectively, only collect as many bags as you need, wash them occasionally and remember to bring them with you. To help you remember, order a “Don’t Forget the Bags” window cling to place on your car or home window. Read more in the Star Tribune.
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Events
Hennepin County is partnering with The Noun Project to work with designers, civic leaders, students and engaged residents in a public design workshop to create new symbols for organics recycling programs. The goal of the workshop is to develop a set of easily recognizable symbols, similar to the recycling symbol, that can be used by businesses to show they participate in the various organics recycling programs.
The Iconathon Design Workshop will be held on March 24 on the University of Minnesota campus as part of the College of Design’s Public Interest Design Week. Space is limited; RSVP to get your free tickets.
Learn about simple changes you can make in the way you take care of your yard that will help keep our lakes, rivers and streams clean at a Metro Blooms Green Yards, Clean Water workshop. The workshop will cover a variety of green yard care practices, including proper use of fertilizers, disposal and reuse of yard waste, keeping sidewalks ice free, and capturing and reusing rain water onsite. Participants are also eligible for a low-cost onsite consultation and design drawing from a landscape design professional.
Workshops are scheduled in April, May and June at locations throughout the county, including in Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Minneapolis, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. See the schedule and register.
 Residents with broken household goods or clothing in need of repair can get free, guided assistance on disassembling, troubleshooting and fixing their items at a Hennepin County Fix-It Clinic.
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Fix-It Clinics are scheduled for the following dates and locations:
- Saturday, March 9, from noon to 4 p.m. at the TC Maker Hack Factory in Minneapolis
- Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Minneapolis Housing Fair, inside the Minneapolis Sports Center at the YWCA
- Saturday, May 11, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Hennepin County Plymouth Library
- Saturday, June 15, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Bloomington Center for the Arts
Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, wood working, and general tinkering are needed to make this initiative a success.
For more information or to volunteer, email Nancy Lo or call 612-348-9195.
 The Recycling Association of Minnesota has scheduled event sales of rain barrels and compost bins throughout the Twin Cities in April and May, including in Minnetonka, Roseville, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. Rain barrels, available for $69, and compost bins, available for $55, must be pre-ordered on the Recycling Association of Minnesota website. A pick-up event must be selected when ordering.
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Green Tip
In February, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air pollution health advisory for the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including Hennepin County, when fine particle pollution reached levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. People with respiratory or cardiovascular problems, young children, the elderly and physically active individuals are considered especially sensitive to elevated levels of air pollution.
To be alerted of future air pollution advisories, sign up to receive an email or text message when air quality poses a health threat.
You can make a difference during an air quality alert by taking these easy actions to reduce air pollution:
- Reduce driving when possible, and don't idle your vehicle engine.
- Postpone use of gasoline-powered equipment.
- Avoid burning wood.
Learn more about what you can do to keep our air clean.
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