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Take a Tech Dump During Salvage Saturdays in January

January 11, 2017

Declutter your electronics in the new year! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump and get a coupon for Tech Discounts during January Salvage Saturdays. Plus, working flat screen TVs can be dumped for free through January 31st. WHEN: Saturday, January 14th, 2017 Saturday, January 28, 2017 WHERE: Tech Dump Saint Paul , 698 Prior Avenue…

Best Practices for Pollinators in the Real World Summit 2017

January 11, 2017

Public concern over pollinator decline is on the rise, and justifiably so. Both native bees and honey bees are struggling, putting natural ecosystems and agricultural systems at risk. Governor Dayton’s 2016 Executive Order to restore pollinator health will affect local, county and state land management practices. The Best Practices for Pollinators Summit will provide resources…

GARDEN FEVER 2017: Adapting Landscapes to our Changing Climate

January 11, 2017

The Carver-Scott Extension Master Gardeners present a delightful day filled with expert speakers and curated sessions to learn about the place of gardening in a changing future. This day has something for everyone. You’ll also enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, door prizes, silent auction items, and garden-related products sold by local vendors. Experts include Prof.…

Fix It Tech Event

January 11, 2017

Fix-It Tech events are free community technology education events providing computer hardware repair, education and tech support. Get your questions answered and your problems fixed. First come first served.

Fix It Tech Event

January 11, 2017

Green Tips

Learn from Woodbury

Is it possible for one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota to be sustainable? The City of Woodbury has committed to try. Since adopting its initial Sustainability Resolution in 2006, the City has progressed toward becoming a sustainable community through several initiatives. You can read more about them in here. Can your city follow suit?

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.

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.

Unplug to Avoid Phantom Load

Did you know that you have electronics in your home leaking electricity—electricity that you pay for—24 hours a day, 7 days a week? The power drain is called “phantom load,” and it is a big problem with a simple solution.

The easiest strategy is to use power strips to cut the power to your electronics. When you turn off a power strip, it stops phantom load leaks. Start with your entertainment center and home office where you can find the biggest leaks: televisions, game consoles and computers. Make sure your power strip is located in an easy-to-reach place so you can easily turn it on or off. Set up a power strip as a charger station where your family can plug in all their cell phones, PDAs and music players. Most importantly…turn it off when you’re not using it!

Take the Energy Challenge

The fastest, cheapest, easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is through energy efficiency and conservation. Plus, you’ll save yourself money in the process! Need a little boost to get started? Join the Minnesota Energy Challenge and learn from thousands of Minnesotans who have pledged to reduce their energy use—and are finding fun, creative ways to do it. Read more about the Challenge here.

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.

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.

Use Reusable Gift Bags

Americans produce 25% more trash during the holiday season, including about 2 million tons of wrapping paper that use an estimated 30 million trees per year! Eliminate your gift waste with creative packaging ideas like making your own from reclaimed fabric!

See our full list of ideas for a No Waste Holiday!

Support Strong Towns

The automobile era spurred the expansion of highways and the fragmentation of natural habitats and communities. Now, the suburban American lifestyle had led to an obesity epidemic, high levels of resource consumption, and oil dependency. Strong Towns is a nonprofit that helps cities focus on resiliency instead of growth. Find out more.

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.

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

Take a Tech Dump During Salvage Saturdays in January

Best Practices for Pollinators in the Real World Summit 2017

GARDEN FEVER 2017: Adapting Landscapes to our Changing Climate

Fix It Tech Event

Fix It Tech Event

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

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