 As spring arrives, trees are budding, flowers are starting to bloom, and it's time to celebrate Earth Day! Our earth is a precious resource, and one that we all need to protect and sustain for generations to come. As Greta Thunberg, the young climate activist, said, “When enough people come together, then change will come and we can achieve almost anything." I'd like to invite you to join me in taking action in ways that work for you this Earth Day (and every day!).
There are many opportunities to join in on the celebration this weekend. Ramsey County Parks and Recreation will be doing our Mighty Mississippi River Clean Up Challenge from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Battle Creek Regional Park on Saturday, April 20. Gather with fellow community members at the pavilion, located at 2401 Upper Afton Road, Maplewood, MN 55119, as we unite in a collective effort to maintain the health and cleanliness of our beloved Mississippi River.
 More information including a registration link (encouraged but not required) can be found about the Mighty Mississippi River Clean Up here!
This newsletter will highlight how Ramsey County is working toward transformative change to support our environment including through the newly approved Climate Equity Action Plan. It will also highlight National County Government Month and more.
My office is always available to serve constituent needs via phone (651-266-8359) or email (maryjo.mcguire@co.ramsey.mn.us). Please reach out if you have any questions or requests!
Best wishes,
Mary Jo
Board Acknowledgements/Declarations
     
County Board Workshops
Most weeks, our County Board meets to discuss specific policy issues and receive updates from County Departments and Service Teams in our Board Workshops.
Workshops and discussions are held on Tuesdays and are open to the public. These take place at the Saint Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse in Suite 220 (2nd floor). You can find the schedule for all upcoming board meetings, workshops, and discussions sessions here.
Recent workshops include:
- Property Assessments and Equity Impacts
- Strategic Team Committee of the Whole: Workforce Statistics Report
- Communications and Public Relations Update
You can access video recordings of the meetings as well as the materials shared by clicking here.
You can watch upcoming workshops live by clicking here.
Celebrating National County Government Month in Ramsey County
 Each April, we celebrate National County Government Month (NCGM) to elevate the work of county government's public servants and build awareness about county government in our communities.
This year, as I serve as the President of the National Association of Counties (NACo), I have been able to share my presidential spotlight with counties across the country. The spotlight, ForwardTogether: Connect, Inspire, Lead focuses on building bridges to advance excellence and networks in county government, driving engagement and residents’ trust in county government, and leading local, state, federal and tribal intergovernmental partnerships and common-sense policy.
I have been taking a moment during April's board meetings to highlight National County Government month in a few different ways!
We highlighted the great work of our Veterans Services Officers, in particular Larry Fonder, after receiving a phone call from Eddie, a constituent, who told us that “I need to know that this man has gotten everything he deserves. He deserves an award. He helped me tremendously. He’s the only government worker that I’ve ever called….. (to ensure that he’s gotten something.) He went above and beyond…. I am going to keep calling (numbers) until I find out this man gets the recognition he deserves.” Highlighting Larry's work and the impact it had on Eddie is just one way we can celebrate the people who make up county government! Thanks to Eddie for highlighting the great work that county employees provide. Thanks to Larry, Christina Rost, and the entire Veteran Services team for their great work.
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As we continue to learn more about artificial intelligence and think about how local government can respond to it, NACo also used AI to develop a storybook style book about county government called the Marvelous Adventures of Countyland. This book is an example of the ways AI can help and also hurt - helping us reflect on the path forward together.
Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate National County Government Month for the remainder of April!
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 Tuesday, April 16, just a few days ahead of Earth Day, the Ramsey County Board unanimously adopted a fully integrated Climate Equity Action Plan. Developed by staff, community, and key partners the plan aims to reduce greenhouse gases and help community survive and thrive in changing climate conditions that cause harmful health impacts through poor air quality, extreme heat, flooding and more disease-carrying insects.
Using the Minnesota Climate Action Framework as its base, the county reviewed this framework against its existing work and then went directly to community to receive extensive input on what else was needed to respond to climate change and increase community resilience.
The Climate Equity Action Plan’s mitigation and adaptation strategies focus on six areas:
- Clean transportation.
- Thriving communities.
- Healthy lives.
- Clean energy and efficient buildings.
- Climate-smart natural land.
- Clean economy.
The plan calls on the county to continue the great work that departments are already doing to respond to climate change and to identify more resources to mitigate and address the effects of climate change. This work is laid out in near-, middle-, and long-term actions across all county departments.
For more information, click here!
To read the report, click here!
Attend our Upcoming Green Ramsey Expo & Career Fair!
May 1, 2024 from 3:30-6:30 PM at the Wilder Foundation (451 Lexington Parkway N., Saint Paul, MN 55104).
Attend and meet organizations whose missions include recycling, creating green space, environmental clean-up and more! Learn about and apply for green collar careers in emerging industries, as well as conventional businesses and trades who have shifted to more sustainable practices. Green resources and activities happening in the community will be highlighted as well. If you are interested in learning more about environmental activities in the county, this event is for you. For more information and a list of participating employers and resources, click here.
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Domestic Violence Prevention Co-Design Sessions
The county is launching a program that aims to inform and improve 911 procedures involving incidents in which callers anticipate domestic violence. Join us as we bring together different stakeholders from the community and share your thoughts on ways to help make a difference.
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Yard Waste and Hazardous Household Waste Summer Hours now in effect
Yard Waste Sites are now open Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM; Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM; and Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM.
Household Hazardous Waste Sites are open Tuesday-Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM.
For more information and for drop off locations, click here.
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 Speaking to the Roseville Rotary group on April 8, giving the "Your County Government at Work, Locally and Nationally" presentation.
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With Roseville Rotary President Herbert Johnson. |
 Speaking on a panel for the Metropolitan Council's State of the Region about the challenges and opportunities facing our region as we look forward!
 With fellow speakers at the Metropolitan Council's State of the Region (Hopkins Mayor Patrick Hanlon, Met Council Vice Chair Reva Chamblis, African American Leadership Forum CEO Adair Mosley, Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle, MC Tane Danger, Woodbury Mayor Anne Burt, and Met Council Regional Administrator Ryan O'Connor.
Upcoming Events in the District:
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