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Green Ideas and Ham: Panel Discussion on Clean Water

March 8, 2017

Our rivers and lakes need protection more than ever. Yet the Trump administration — and the new state legislature — could move swiftly to undermine recent progress for our waterways. This is your chance to join the discussion and learn about the threats to our waterways – and how what’s happening in the state house…

WaterFest 2017

March 8, 2017

“Make Waves” at WaterFest 2017. This free, family festival celebrating our clean lakes offers fun and an opportunity for outdoor hands-on learning about clean water, wildlife, and land and water conservation. Start the day with a Voyageur canoe ride, paddle a canoe, kayak or paddleboat, learn to fish or participate in a fishing contest. For…

Reconnecting North Minneapolis to the Mighty Mississippi

March 6, 2017

Do you like to use the parks and trails along the Mississippi River? Are you excited about the new parkland coming to the riverfront in North Minneapolis? We are, too! We also want it to be safe and easy to walk or bike between the existing North Minneapolis neighborhoods and this new parkland (and vice…

Plant native shrubs along the Vermillion River

March 6, 2017

Spend a late spring morning on Saturday, April 29 with Friends of the Mississippi River staff and volunteers along the Vermillion River. After a brief hike volunteers will install native shrubs and fencing near the river banks to increase habitat diversity and help stabilize the stream bank. All supplies and training will be provided and…

Pledge to pull garlic mustard at Crosby Farm Park

March 6, 2017

Crosby Farm Park is a natural oasis in the heart of the city, nestled at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. On Tuesday, May 2, volunteers will be working in an area home to a striking array of spring wildflowers native to Minnesota alongside Friends of the Mississippi River staff. After a brief…

Green Tips

Plant a Rain Garden

Many people do not realize that rain carries pollutants from our houses, yards, streets, sidewalks and parking lots to the nearest storm drain, leading directly to local lakes, streams and rivers. Rain gardens are designed to have a center depression to help rainwater seep into the soil. This infiltration helps recharge groundwater and reduces polluted runoff.

Check out our article on rain gardens to learn more.

Start a Neighborhood Eco-Parent Group

We all want to do the best for our children, especially when it comes to protecting their health and the environment in which they live. Sometimes, knowing the most effective ways to do this can be confusing and challenging, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Consider starting an eco-parent group in your neighborhood to learn alongside other parents. This article offers some tips.

Reduce Paper Waste at the Office

Office paper is highly recyclable, but reducing or preventing paper waste is even more cost effective than recycling. Some ideas for reducing office paper waste:

Double-sided copying and printing.
Reusing paper. Keep a collection box by the copy machine for bad copies so the second side can be reused.
Make use of electronic communication.
Use smaller cover sheets or eliminate the cover sheet all together.
Reuse items from old packaging.
Reuse materials in-house, through clients, customers and consumers.
Consider buying the most environmentally-friendly paper (100% post-consumer recycled) to stock in your printers, copiers and fax machines.

Check out our full article Green Your Office for more great ideas.

Practice Greener Pest Control

Preventive and non-toxic pest control strategies are not only better for the environment and your wallet, but also human health. Before the advent of toxic aerosol sprays and poisons post World War II, many people used passive and more natural means to control pests by deterring and preventing their entry.

Find a list of green pest control ideas in our article on Pest Control, the Old Fashioned Way!

Check Windows and Doors for Energy Efficiency

Here are some easy tips for Home Energy Savings:

Leaky windows, doors and frames can let out the air you paid to heat or cool. Once a year, check the caulking around your windows, doors and joints to make sure everything is sealed tightly.
Install weather stripping around any leaky windows and doors.
If you use storm windows, check them each winter to be sure they provide a good seal and are not cracked.
If you have only single glaze windows, you can purchase do-it-yourself plastic storms that just tape into place.
If you use window air conditioners, take them out for the winter. If they are attached to the wall or too big to move, make sure they are well-covered with insulating material to avoid leaking a lot of your warm air.
If you have a fireplace, install a glass door that reduces hot air loss.

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.

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.

Install a Solar Water Heater

Solar water heating is one of the least publicized but most cost-effective renewable energy options. According to Windy Dankoff of Conergy, solar water heaters capture six times more energy than solar electric at a third the cost.

Read our full article on Solar Water Heaters for more information.

Buy Reusable for Parties, Picnics & Holidays

Purchase durable, long lasting reusable items for serving and eating food such as silverware, glasses, bowls, mugs, plates, and cloth napkins. When you choose reusable over disposable, even if it costs more up front, it will save money and be less wasteful. Think about the amount of trash you can keep out of the landfill or the incinerator by choosing to reuse!

Check out our article on How to Plan a Low Waste Event for more ideas!

Host an Art Night

Looking for a new way to connect with your neighbors, get free life advice, and spark your creative juices? Consider hosting an art night at your house, complete with paints, modeling clay, colored pencils and art smocks. Get messy, be creative, and let the conversation flow. For inspiration and resources, check out this article.

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

Green Ideas and Ham: Panel Discussion on Clean Water

WaterFest 2017

Reconnecting North Minneapolis to the Mighty Mississippi

Plant native shrubs along the Vermillion River

Pledge to pull garlic mustard at Crosby Farm Park

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

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