The Minnesota Energy Challenge
Can be used by club members or friendly competitions between classes, sports teams, etc.:
mnenergychallenge.org, 612-335-5852
Global Warming projects
Project ideas and lesson plans:
Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy
climategen.org
612-278-7147
Recycling
Local facility tour information, project ideas, and resources…
Resources, event recycling, and recycled paper purchase co-op:
eurekarecycling.org, 651-222-7678
Resources, toolkits, and free recycling bins (through grant award):
651-641-4589
recyclemoreminnesota.org
Resources, reduce waste toolkit, and downloadable PowerPoint presentations:
651-215-0232, reduce.org
Reducing Your School’s Energy Use
Free energy audit of your building: RETAP
pca.state.mn.us/oea/p2/retap.cfm,
612-624-1300
2008-2011 Carbon Reduction Program for schools:
cleanenergyresourceteams.org,
612-625-8759
Networking
High school networking group YEA Minnesota (Youth Environmental Activists):
yeamn.org, 612-250-0389
Co-opetition (competition in cooperation) energy projects with youth teams:
prairiewoodselc.org, 320-354-5984
E-mail updates on local events:
Minnesota Environmental Partnership: mepartnership.org
Do It Green! Minnesota Newsletter: doitgreen.org
Minnesota Sustainable Communities Network Newsletter:
nextstep.state.mn.us
Fundraising
Blue Sky Guide, sell coupon books, and receive high profit margin:
ecometro.com, 651-291-1989
Grant writing tips and fundraising ideas: youthventure.org
Education grants, funding links, and grant-writing tips: grantsalert.com
Specific Project Resources
Green and sustainable living resources in Minnesota:
Your green encyclopedia, online articles, community workshops, community calendar
doitgreen.org, 612-345-7973
Lowering your ecological footprint:
Minnesota Energy Challenge, myfootprint.org
Reducing the use of plastic bottles (pledge kit, water bottles, information, email updates):
thinkoutsidethebottle.org,
800-688-8797
Plastic bag recycling (waste reduction information, locations available to recycle plastic bags):
“It’s In the Bag” Program
mnchamber.com, 651-292-4663
Organic foods, eating local (video, discussion guide, resources):
truecostoffood.org
Paper (use, reduction, switching to recycled fiber paper, stopping junk mail):
coopamerica.org/programs/woodwise, 800-584-7336
Consumerism (buying local, buying responsibly, free trade):
coopamerica.org, 800-584-7336
Green String Project: club members wear a green string bracelet to remind them of the habits they’re working on. For example, reminder to use canvas bags, turning lights out, don’t print unnecessary papers, driving more efficiently.
Drop Everything Day: determine a time when everyone drops whatever they’re doing and takes some time to assess how they are doing on the energy challenge, or change furnace filters, install compact fluorescent light bulbs, whatever it is you need to do. You’ll know everyone is working on that common goal for a 3 hour block of time.
Carbon Jar: Just like an old fashioned “swearing jar” have a jar for dropping in a dollar every time someone leaves a light on, etc. Donate the proceeds to an environmental organization
Activism
Citizen’s Guide to Lobbying the Minnesota Legislature:
northstar.sierraclub.org,
612-659-9124
1Sky Program:
fresh-energy.org, 651-294-7143
Annual Events
Living Green Expo (May),
livinggreen.org
Eco Experience (August),
pca.state.mn.us/ecoexperience/
Green Gifts Fair (November),
doitgreen.org/green-gifts-fair