Minnesota GreenCorps July Monthly News

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PROGRAM UPDATES

Save the date for the final quarterly training and program celebration on Friday, August 5! Members will attend all day in-person, and site supervisors, topic leads, mentors, and guests are invited to join us virtually in the afternoon. During the afternoon celebration, we will hear member testimonials, celebrate our accomplishments, and view a slideshow highlighting members' service. We look forward to celebrating with you!

MEMBER PROJECTS

Air Pollutant Reduction, Sarah Shapiro: City of Faribault
Project: Improve air quality by promoting energy conservation measures, electric vehicles, active forms of transportation, and sustainable landscapes.
When not serving, “I’m usually running, baking, doing puzzles, or catching up with friends!”

Air Pollutant Reduction, Leo Ndiaye: UMN Center for Sustainable Building Research (Minneapolis)
Project: Automate energy meters for public buildings to improve the access of participating building owners and operators to energy consumption information and support improved uptake of informed building operation.

Community Readiness & Outreach, Megan Reich: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (St. Paul)
Project: Educate individuals on stewardship to improve water quality in five We Are Water MN communities and train and mobilize community members as volunteers who will host and educate exhibit visitors.
When not serving, “I enjoy taking long walks along the Mississippi River or channeling my creativity through music and writing." 

Green Infrastructure Improvements, Ella Graham: Vibrant & Safe Downtown (Minneapolis) 
Project: Amplify the capacity of existing efforts to support the growth of urban street trees, research factors influencing the performance of green infrastructure downtown, and grow community engagement.
When not serving, “I like to explore the cities to find new coffee shops, parks, ice cream places and free things to do.”

UPCOMING TRAININGS

7/19, 10:30-11:30 AM: Collective Strength Through Systemic Climate Solutions - Virtual, Free Learn how you can make meaningful change for the climate at this free webinar hosted by Climate Generation.

7/20, 6:30-8 PM: Planting for Pollinators - Virtual, Free Looking to redo your yard? Attend this UMN Extension workshop to learn how you can transform your land into a pollinator-friendly habitat.

7/21, 2-3 PM: Climate Conversations: Urban Transportation - Virtual, Free Join the Climate Communications Initiative for a conversation about equitable and climate-friendly transportation in urban areas.

7/27, 1 PM​: Waste Colonialism and Inequity - Virtual, Free The second in a series of ten in the NRDC Seed Series, this webinar will cover the link between waste, racism, and other issues of injustice.

8/2-8/3: Salt Symposium 2022 – Virtual, $100 for both days, after discount
This two-day event brings industry, maintenance, academic and environmental professionals together to learn about the impacts of chloride on our environment and methods to reduce salt use and chloride pollution. MN GreenCorps members are eligible for a 50% discount (with code GREENCORPS_2022). 

MN GREENCORPS UPDATES

MPCA MN GreenCorps member, Megan, serving with We Are Water MN, collaborated with the MN Department of Agriculture to host several clinics offering free nitrate testing for private well users. Nitrate is a groundwater pollutant that can make water unsafe for drinking at elevated levels. It comes from sources such as fertilized soil, feedlots, or septic systems and is more likely to occur in areas with sandy soils or karst geology. Visitors to the clinics brought water samples for analysis and learned about best practices for well maintenance and regular water quality testing!

We Are Water MN is a traveling exhibit and community engagement initiative that connects people to water and people to each other. Applications are now open for 2023 We Are Water MN exhibit host sites. In addition to having the exhibit located in your community, being a We Are Water MN host site consists of working with our network of state partners to build a network of people who protect and affect water in your area, create community engagement opportunities that complement your community goals, and highlight personal narratives about water in your area.

Minnesota-based organizations (nonprofits or those with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor), tribal nations, and state/municipal public agencies are encouraged to apply, especially those from small or suburban communities. Applications are due July 22. Learn more and apply! 

MPCA INFORMATION

Industrial pollution from paper mills and raw sewage from cities once marred the Rainy River, hurting its fish, aquatic insects, and recreational potential. Since the pollution and sewage to the river have dramatically dropped, the river’s water quality has greatly improved. A conduit between Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods, the river also forms part of the border between the United States and Canada. These two countries partner to restore and protect water quality, important to the river life and the people who treasure the Rainy. Read more on MPCA's webpage.

IN THE NEWS

Plastic-free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution — so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Trying to avoid waste while shopping for your everyday needs can be challenging. It's hard to avoid disposable items, excessive packaging, and single-use plastics when you're buying groceries or other household items. What can an eco-conscious consumer do? Check out these suggestions for sustainable choices! Learn more.

RANDOM FACTOID Russian artist, Sergey Bobkov, has a talent for transforming simple wood chips into realistic wooden sculptures of animals. He shaves 100-150 chips from a solid stick of cedar. Then soaks them in water for several days before beginning to carve. Each sculpture can take Sergey up to six months to complete. See more sculptures!

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