General | Page 51 | Do It Green! Minnesota

River island cleanup + lunch!

September 8, 2017

Join Friends of the Mississippi River and Hastings Environmental Protectors from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 7 for a unique island cleanup. After meeting in the Dakota County park, volunteers will be shuttled to the nearby islands by boat to pick up trash. As always, all are welcome and encouraged to work at their own…

Local water quality presentation

September 8, 2017

How is the health of your local water? Join Friends of the Mississippi River at 6:00 PM on Monday, September 25th, at Excelsior Brewing to find out. FMR Water Program Director Trevor Russell will spend the evening highlighting the most important trends and emerging issues our local waters face, as well as potential solutions. capacity…

Northside Walk to the River

September 7, 2017

Calling all Northsiders! Join your neighbors, elected officials, city and park board staff, and FMR to walk and talk about the future of Dowling between the Mighty Mississippi and Lyndale Avenue North in North Minneapolis. This Dowling Avenue path to the river is currently the only direct route to the Upper Harbor Terminal, soon to…

Northside Walk to the River

September 7, 2017

Calling all Northsiders! Join your neighbors, elected officials, city and park board staff, and FMR to walk and talk about the future of Dowling between the Mighty Mississippi and Lyndale Avenue North in Minneapolis. This Dowling Avenue path to the river is currently the only direct route to the Upper Harbor Terminal, soon to be…

Electric Vehicle Celebration and EV Charging Station Ribbon Cutting

September 5, 2017

Please join us as we commemorate National Drive Electric Week and the unveiling of our first EV charging station!

Green Tips

Choose Safe Art Supplies

Arts and crafts materials can be hazardous to your health and the environment. Even though the Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act of 1988 requires stringent labeling of hazardous materials in art supplies, many materials are out of compliance. This article offers tips to help you choose safe art supplies, plus substitutes to harmful substances.

Get Engaged!

Individuals’ actions are important in setting sound policy, so become an engaged citizen. Whether you call your legislator’s office, testify in a legislative hearing or attend a rally, you can make your voice heard. Still doubt that you can make a difference? This article addresses couple common concerns about whether civic engagement is worth it.

Purchase Sustainable Lumber and Wood Products

Minnesota’s forests are vital to the state economy and environment. The Minnesota wood products industry provides employment to rural communities and serves markets throughout the world. As global trade in forest products grows, forest certification has emerged as a mechanism for consumers to identify wood products produced from sustainably managed forests. Nearly 50 different companies in Minnesota manufacture and market certified products. Retailers and distributors sell a variety of lumber, paneling, and decking products. Numerous local paper and printing companies also offer certified products.

More info here!

Learn from Minneapolis

The City of Minneapolis continues to be a national leader in reducing the impact of global warming on our planet. Minneapolis’ sustainability work is guided by 24 indicators that measure our progress at creating a sustainable future for our residents. Check out this article to learn about Minneapolis’ sustainability accomplishments and be inspired.

Get Your Mayor Involved

More than 600 cities nationwide are not waiting for federal action on climate change—they are taking matters into their own hands. The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement is one way cities are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and urging government to take action. Read more about the agreement here, plus learn what Minnesota’s government is doing about global warming.

Contact Your State Legislator

As a constituent, you are your local legislators’ highest priority. Why not share your views with them and ask them to support your position? It may seem like your letters and emails will get lost in a deep, dark political hole, but don’t despair. Whether you call, fax, email or visit in person, this article offers tips on how to effectively communicate with your elected officials and get them to listen.

Think Twice About Bottled Water

If you live in an area with clean drinking water, fill a reusable bottle with tap water and bring it with you wherever you go to avoid buying bottled water. The U.S. sends 2 million tons of plastic water bottles to landfills each year—and producing those bottles requires oil and emits carbon dioxide. Some restaurants in the Twin Cities feel so strongly against bottled water that they refuse to sell it. Learn more.

Recycle Your Paper Products

Most people don’t realize it, but one way to reduce global warming is to recycle paper products. Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees. Each tree helps reduce global warming by capturing and holding carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. Remember your bottles and cans, too—any recycling you do means fewer of the Earth’s raw materials are used. Learn more here.

Support a Local Business

Did you know that roughly 73 cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays within the community, compared to 43 cents for non-local chain stores? When you buy from local businesses, you help that business employ community workers, support other local businesses, and contribute to the community’s overall health. Read more here about the benefits of buying locally.

Plant a Seed, Grow a Community

Community Gardens are community spaces that are communally cultivated and cared for; these spaces may consist of individually-worked plots, multiple person caretaker areas, sitting areas, and small-scale children play areas. Some say community gardens are the last existing opportunity Americans have to reclaim common spaces. This article offers great information about the many benefits community gardens provide.

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

River island cleanup + lunch!

Local water quality presentation

Northside Walk to the River

Northside Walk to the River

Electric Vehicle Celebration and EV Charging Station Ribbon Cutting

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

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