Calendar

UPDATE: Please confirm with host organizations about the status of listed events. Many in-person events have been cancelled, or there may be virtual options for some events.

See our Upcoming Events page, or check our community calendar below for upcoming green community events in Minnesota, or submit your own event!

Events in August–September 2020

  • - Webinar: Charging up! Developments in EVSE, Webinar: Applying EV Lessons from CA to the Midwest
    Webinar: Charging up! Developments in EVSE

    Category: General Webinar: Charging up! Developments in EVSE


    August 4, 2020

    The electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) market is predicted to experience a 10.7% compound annual growth rate during the forecast period (2020-2025) and see an increase in its revenue to $2.7 billion in 2025, from $1.5 billion in 2019. The market is being positively impacted by the increasing sale of electric vehicles, investments being poured in by manufacturers, and government support for installing such charging stations. Learn from a panel of experts about Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) and the latest development in EV chargers for both residential and business applications. Explore how the relatively recent appearance of ENERGY STAR®-rated Level 2 chargers is impacting the EVSE marketplace and how these chargers can be combined with utility programs to shave peak demands and eliminate demand charges.

    Webinar: Applying EV Lessons from CA to the Midwest

    Category: General Webinar: Applying EV Lessons from CA to the Midwest


    August 4, 2020

    Drawing on lessons from California, this webinar focuses on benefits to the electric vehicle (EV) industry from a Midwestern program. In this webinar, you will:
    Gain a better understanding of how EVs and charging stations would generate credits
    See the Great Plains Institute's (GPI’s) analysis showing modeled credit revenues according to various scenarios
    Hear from Midwestern companies on how a clean fuels policy could support transportation electrification initiatives in the Midwest.
    Webinar attendees will be among the first to see GPI’s analysis on credit revenue scenarios for various low carbon fuels and have a chance to offer feedback following the webinars.

    In the coming months, GPI will host webinars on other clean fuels including ethanol, compressed natural gas, biodiesel, and others. Indicate your interest in attending these webinars on the registration form, and you’ll be automatically invited.

    Don’t want to wait until the webinar to learn more? Find out what the Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy is all about by downloading a copy of the white paper, A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest.

    Feel free to forward this invitation to others in your network who might be interested in attending!

    For any questions regarding either webinar or the webinar series, or if you have trouble registering, please contact Hannah Haas at hhaas@gpisd.net.

    Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize the very serious near-term human and economic challenges you may be facing. We also understand that you are faced with evolving priorities in this unprecedented time. These webinars will be recorded so that you can tune in now or later.

  • - Webinar: Managing Electrification + Load Off-Peak, Lop sprouting buckthorn in the river gorge
    Webinar: Managing Electrification + Load Off-Peak

    Category: General Webinar: Managing Electrification + Load Off-Peak


    August 6, 2020

    With electrification all the rage, a significant component of electrification being beneficial is keeping added electrical load off the utility peak demand. Hear from leading experts who will describe how programs are keeping load off-peak with pricing plans and load management techniques as components of the beneficial electrification efforts.

    Lop sprouting buckthorn in the river gorge

    Category: General Lop sprouting buckthorn in the river gorge


    August 6, 2020

    Join Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) on Thursday, August 6, from 6-8 pm, for an evening of working along the beautiful Mississippi River on the Minneapolis side of the river gorge.
    We will be furthering the process of buckthorn removal at this site. Last year, we cut buckthorn branches to stack into wildlife habitat piles. While cutting buckthorn in the fall prevented a crop of berries from dropping and spreading this year, the stems have begun to resprout.
    To further this restoration project, we will cut back sprouting buckthorn and bag the stems, preventing new branches from starting. We'll take the bags off in the fall as we continue to restore this area.
    As always, all tools and training will be provided and volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and comfort level. While the worksite is on relatively flat terrain, access to the site is only by a steep staircase. Due to tools and access, this event is not suitable for small children. All adult volunteers are welcome, but registration is required. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required.
    To learn more and register, visit https://fmr.org/events/2020/08/06/lop-sprouting-buckthorn-river-gorge

    Mississippi River Gorge
    Minneapolis, MN 55406
    US
  • - Toy Lending Event
    Toy Lending Event

    Category: General Toy Lending Event


    August 12, 2020

    Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.

    Richfield Lutheran Church
    8 W 60th St
    Richfield, MN 55419
  • - Lop Sumac at Grey Cloud Dunes SNA
    Lop Sumac at Grey Cloud Dunes SNA

    Category: General Lop Sumac at Grey Cloud Dunes SNA


    August 18, 2020

    Located in Cottage Grove, this spectacular Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) features two sandy terraces along the Mississippi river. The first rises 40 to 60 feet above river-level with remarkable crescents and blowouts sculpted by southwesterly winds. The second, 110 feet above the Mississippi, has a dramatic cut-face. Dunes on both terraces rise in waves, cresting 10 to 20 feet above the swales. Grey Cloud Dunes SNA is a sight to see! Help us further our restoration efforts at this special site.

    Home to a rare dry prairie, this area provides essential native bee, butterfly and wildlife habitat. After a brief orientation and a short hike, volunteers will work with FMR ecologists to help remove sumac, an aggressive native shrub that would otherwise overtake this vital habitat. Other tending and restoration tasks may also be needed.

    All tools and training will be provided at the event, and no experience is necessary. All volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace. However, due to tool usage, including loppers and saws, this event is not suitable for youth. The designation of this type of park is meant to protect rare, fragile plant and animal habitat, please note Grey Cloud SNA does not feature amenities – trails or restrooms.

    We will work in a small, socially distant group. Besides helping prevent the spread of COVID-19, smaller group size will allow us to tread lightly on this special place and also to make sure everyone has a chance to ask questions about the site's ecology and the many native plants and flowers sure to be in bloom on this summer evening.

  • - Sustainability and Resiliency Planning in Southeast Minnesota
    Sustainability and Resiliency Planning in Southeast Minnesota

    Category: General Sustainability and Resiliency Planning in Southeast Minnesota


    August 19, 2020

    Local government staff and sustainability commission members are invited to join the cities of Faribault, Northfield, Red Wing, and Rochester, share their lessons learned. City staff from each of these cities will join us for a panel discussion about their recent work with comprehensive, energy, and climate planning. Panelists will take questions. The last 45 minutes will be reserved for small group discussions and networking with the panelists.

    This free webinar is hosted by Minnesota GreenStep and Southeast Clean Energy Resource Team (SE CERT).

  • - Toy Lending Event
    Toy Lending Event

    Category: General Toy Lending Event


    August 26, 2020

    Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.

    Richfield Lutheran Church
    8 W 60th St
    Richfield, MN 55419
  • - Litter Be Gone Cleanups, Litter Be Gone Cleanups
    Litter Be Gone Cleanups

    Category: General Litter Be Gone Cleanups


    September 7, 2020

    Minneapolis residents are invited to take part in Litter Be Gone, an annual citywide litter cleanup event happening October 1–10, 2020.

    Volunteer with your family and neighbors in a socially distanced cleanup. Pledge to pick up litter on your own street, or organize a team to clean up the whole neighborhood before leaves fall and snow flies.

    Use your own gloves and bags or pick up free supplies and drink coupons (while supplies last) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 at several locations.

    Share your results online to see the community-wide impact.

    Find more information at www.LitterBeGone.org.

    Minneapolis,
    Litter Be Gone Cleanups

    Category: General Litter Be Gone Cleanups


    September 7, 2020

    Minneapolis residents are invited to take part in Litter Be Gone, an annual citywide litter cleanup event happening October 1–10, 2020.

    Volunteer with your family and neighbors in a socially distanced cleanup. Pledge to pick up litter on your own street, or organize a team to clean up the whole neighborhood before leaves fall and snow flies.

    Use your own gloves and bags or pick up free supplies and drink coupons (while supplies last) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 at several locations.

    Share your results online to see the community-wide impact.

    Find more information at www.LitterBeGone.org.

    Minneapolis,
  • - Adult Learn-To-Ride Lessons (FREE! Bicycle and Helmet provided)
    Adult Learn-To-Ride Lessons (FREE! Bicycle and Helmet provided)

    Category: General Adult Learn-To-Ride Lessons (FREE! Bicycle and Helmet provided)


    September 8, 2020

    Free! Includes free usage of bicycle and helmet during the lesson with professional instruction. For adults (age 18+) who have not previously ridden a bicycle, or who feel unsteady and would like additional instruction and support to resume riding. Group lessons (60 min) will offer participants an opportunity to progress through a structured learning sequence with trained instructors in a clear, outdoor, traffic-free setting.

    *Note: All activities are offered at no-cost for participants. Social distancing will be practiced at all times, including required face coverings for instructors and participants. Participation will be limited; to ensure a space in the activity, people should register in advance. The MN Bicycling Handbook educational booklet will be available to all participants at each event as long as supplies last.

  • - Toy Lending Event
    Toy Lending Event

    Category: General Toy Lending Event


    September 9, 2020

    Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.

    Richfield Lutheran Church
    8 W 60th St
    Richfield, MN 55419
  • - Neighborhoods As A Multiverse: Community Action for Environmental Justice!
    Neighborhoods As A Multiverse: Community Action for Environmental Justice!

    Category: General Neighborhoods As A Multiverse: Community Action for Environmental Justice!


    September 19, 2020

    Minneapolis is participating in the 2020 Global Goals Jam - a weekend event where community members are placed on creative teams to work together on a local challenge related to the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Our action team is tackling the question: "How might we empower Environmental Justice communities to voice their injustices for actionable systems change?"

    The East Phillips Neighborhood is partnering with us as the case study for our design challenge. Join us to build connections, explore community, and engage in an interactive exploration of social and environmental justice in the Twin Cities.

    Masks and social distancing required. Free to attend! All are welcome.

    Cedar Field Park
    2500 Cedar Ave. S.
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • - Toy Lending Event
    Toy Lending Event

    Category: General Toy Lending Event


    September 23, 2020

    Come to our toy lending event to become a member of the toy library. Access to over 1,000 toys appropriate for children age birth to 5.

    Richfield Lutheran Church
    8 W 60th St
    Richfield, MN 55419

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