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February 3, 2017
The Environmental Congress is a unique opportunity to evaluate the state of our environment, revisit our environmental goals and expectations as Minnesotans, and set a course for the future.
This day-long conference will include sessions on topics ranging from pollinator health to adapting our regulatory tools, climate change to building a water ethic across the state. The agenda is built around the 2017 EQB Energy and Environment Report Card—an environmental status update on our air, land, water, climate and energy. The Report Card will be available in mid-January and at the Congress.
The Congress is a space for dialogue and collective problem-solving on Minnesota’s toughest environmental issues. Discussions will shine a spotlight on environmental trends and expected outcomes, and will highlight innovative work taking place across Minnesota on behalf of the environment. Participants will explore how we can work together in new and creative ways to take meaningful action.
Environmental Congress Goals
Raise awareness about the state of Minnesota’s environment
Engage the public on pressing policy issues
Advance mutual learning among a broad cross section of stakeholders, community leaders, and state government representatives
Create opportunities for dialogue and consensus building
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February 4, 2017
We’re hosting a winter brush pile burning event, where invasive buckthorn is the fuel at Allemansratt Wilderness park in Lindstrom, MN
We need 50 volunteers to haul, stack, and burn pre-cut buckthorn. We’ll serve the cocoa. You are welcome to bring hotdogs, marshmallows, and roasting sticks!
Registration is required
http://www.greatrivergreening.org/events/2017-winter-buckthorn-burn/
Some considerations:
Moderate to heavy level restoration task.
Open to all ages (recommended age 8+).
This event is weather permitting and will be postponed if too dry or too cold.
Wear fire safe clothing: no fleece, weather tech materials, or other flammable synthetics (recommend wool and cotton).
Bring food for roasting (marshmallows, hotdogs, etc) and your camping chairs or 5-gallon buckets for sitting by the fire.
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February 10, 2017
Join Women's Environmental Institute in the Birchwood Cafe Community Room for a breakfast of Good Real Food® and actionable information about urban agriculture. Urban agriculture is a vital part of the solution to increasing access to fresh fruits & vegetables in urban areas. Learn what’s happening in the MN legislature from Karen Clark, and what you can do to help advance urban ag. #betheBOOST
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February 11, 2017
Declutter your electronics for free! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump and get a coupon for Tech Discounts during February Salvage Saturdays.
Plus, Cracked Screen Saturday Special to replace iPhone and other smartphone screens!
iPhone 4 - Apple price to replace: $149, TECH DISCOUNTS PRICE: $60
iPhone 5 - Apple price to replace: $269, TECH DISCOUNTS PRICE: $75
iPhone 6 - Apple price to replace: $299, TECH DISCOUNTS PRICE: $97.50
*We can replace other smartphone and tablet screens as well, just stop by or call (763) 548-2202 for a quote.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 11, 2017
TIME: 9 am to 1 pm
WHERE:
Tech Dump Saint Paul, 698 Prior Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Tech Dump Golden Valley: 825 Boone Ave North. #100, Golden Valley, MN 55427
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February 11, 2017
Declutter your electronics for free! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump and get a coupon for Tech Discounts during February Salvage Saturdays.
Plus, Cracked Screen Saturday Special to replace iPhone and other smartphone screens!
iPhone 4 - Apple price to replace: $149, TECH DISCOUNTS PRICE: $60
iPhone 5 - Apple price to replace: $269, TECH DISCOUNTS PRICE: $75
iPhone 6 - Apple price to replace: $299, TECH DISCOUNTS PRICE: $97.50
*We can replace other smartphone and tablet screens as well, just stop by or call (763) 548-2202 for a quote.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 11, 2017
TIME: 9 am to 1 pm
WHERE:
Tech Dump Saint Paul, 698 Prior Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Tech Dump Golden Valley: 825 Boone Ave North. #100, Golden Valley, MN 55427
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February 12, 2017
Bring your broken household goods and clothing in need of repair. Please also bring any tools and supplies you think might help with the job. Events are first come, first served.
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February 18, 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.
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February 18, 2017
Wild Ones Annual Design With Nature Conference has been growing along with advancement of both the design and practice of naturalized landscapes.
The conference offers insights into topics impacting the native plant movement, always encouraging us to embrace the connection of native plants to the ecological health of our communities.
Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Wild Ones is a national, not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization founded in 1979.
Registration includes:
Admission for (1) to all presentations and exhibitor showroom. Includes refreshment breaks and lunch buffet.
Save $15 When You Register Early
EARLYBIRD
Wild Ones Member* $55 | Non-Members $65
Ticket + Wild Ones Membership $92
After January 28th, 2017
Wild Ones Member* $70 | Non-Members $80
Ticket + New Wild Ones Membership $92
*Member rate applies to current members of Wild Ones and employees of Wild Ones business members. Also applies to members or employees of Conference Sponsors.
Students: We encourage students to attend and have a limited number of discounted tickets for qualifying full-time students. Scholarships available, contact Conference Chair for more information.
Full-Time Student $20 | Full-Time Student Ticket + Wild Ones Membership $45
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February 20, 2017
Where does your food come from? How is food a vital part of personal, community and environmental justice? Join us for this free event: a discussion with Professor Emerita Jacquelyn Zita (WEI Farm Manager & Director of Education), complete with clips from the classic film on sustainable agriculture, Fresh.
Bring your appetite for change and Good Real Food. The event is free, but dinner is not included. If you'd like to have dinner, please arrive in time to order your food before the event starts, and it will be delivered to you in the Community Room.
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February 21, 2017
This training offers information about best practices for managing winter maintenance (plowing, de-icing and anti-icing application, storage, and more). These practices will help you save money, time, and the environment! An optional test is offered at the end of the workshop to earn Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Level 1 Certification in Winter Maintenance Best Practices. Certified Individuals are listed on the MPCA website.
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February 23, 2017
This free introductory workshop provides tips and tricks on creating native gardens, rain gardens and shoreline stabilization projects. These projects not only benefit local water quality, but also help provide much needed habitat for pollinators.
Open to Dakota County residents only. Registration required. Call 651-480-7777 or visit http://www.dakotacountyswcd.org/cleanwater.html to register.
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February 23, 2017
This free introductory workshop provides tips and tricks on creating native gardens, rain gardens and shoreline stabilization projects. These projects not only benefit local water quality, but also help provide much needed habitat for pollinators.
Open to Dakota County residents only. Registration required. Call 651-480-7777 or visit http://www.dakotacountyswcd.org/cleanwater.html to register.
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February 25, 2017
Join Friends of the Mississippi River for our first volunteer event taking place at the newly protected William H. Houlton Conservation Area - Houlton Farm - for a community gathering hauling brush, Saturday, February 25.
Volunteers will haul pre-cut buckthorn brush to help clear the site to make way for further restoration efforts. Following the brush haul, lunch will be served around noon. Volunteers are welcome to eat, socialize and keep warm around a bonfire.
All are welcome at this family-friendly gathering, however, advanced registration is required and space is limited. Learn more, including how to register at http://fmr.org/events/2017/02/25/community-brush-haul-bonfire-newly-protected-houlton-farm.
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February 25, 2017
Declutter your electronics for free! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump and get a coupon for Tech Discounts during February Salvage Saturdays.
Plus, Tech Discounts professional data recovery can recover lost, deleted, or formatted files, even if your computer won't turn on. Data recovery services starting at just $99. If we can't recover it, you don't pay for it.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 25, 2017
TIME: 9 am to 1 pm
WHERE:
Tech Dump Saint Paul, 698 Prior Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Tech Dump Golden Valley, 825 Boone Ave North. #100, Golden Valley, MN 55427
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February 25, 2017
WHAT:
Declutter your electronics for free! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump and get a coupon for Tech Discounts during February Salvage Saturdays.
Plus, Tech Discounts professional data recovery can recover lost, deleted, or formatted files, even if your computer won't turn on. Data recovery services starting at just $99. If we can't recover it, you don't pay for it.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 25, 2017
TIME: 9 am to 1 pm
WHERE:
Tech Dump Saint Paul, 698 Prior Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Tech Dump Golden Valley, 825 Boone Ave North. #100, Golden Valley, MN 55427
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February 25, 2017
Are you someone who cares about the environment and wishes more people would make environmentally sustainable choices? Have you ever wondered how you can help people make those choices?
This workshop will offer several exercises designed to help you:
1. Identify and overcome barriers that stop people from taking action.
2. Understand your community’s identity and values.
3. Build social norms for sustainability.
4. Meet people’s deeper psychological needs.
Developed and Facilitated by Dr. Christie Manning, Macalester College. Free. Pre-Registration is required.
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February 25, 2017
Bring your broken household goods and clothing in need of repair. Please also bring any tools and supplies you think might help with the job. Events are first come, first served.
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February 26, 2017
Get ready for planting your vegetable garden this spring by joining us for a demonstration on starting seeds indoors and on winter sowing, an easy and economical way of starting seeds outdoors during the winter. Learn how to care for them as they grow and go home with a winter sowing kit and some seeds!
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March 1, 2017
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.
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March 2, 2017
Pollinators’ habitats are being increasingly threatened by factory farming and climate change. Hear from experts on issues around pollinators, efforts to preserve pollinators that are happening locally and what you can do to help!
Panelists include:
Kristy Lynn Allen, Beekeeper and Founder of The Beez Kneez,
Dustin Vanasse, Founder of Bare Honey, LLC,
Sarah Foltz Jordan from The Xerces Society, and
Laurie Schneider from Pollinator Friendly Alliance.
University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Julie Weisenhorn will moderate the discussion.
Enjoy special Honey Cocktails for sale during this event!
This event is free and no registration is required.
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March 2, 2017
Through the stories of workers and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and China, Catching the Sun captures the global race to lead the clean energy future. Over the course of a solar jobs training program, Catching the Sun follows the hope and heartbreak of unemployed American workers seeking jobs in the solar industry. With countries like China investing in innovative technologies and capitalizing on this trillion-dollar opportunity, Catching the Sun tells the story of the global energy transition from the perspective of workers and entrepreneurs building solutions to income inequality and climate change with their own hands.
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March 4, 2017
It's time! Starting your own seeds allows you to pick varieties you love, grow many plants for less money, and brighten up late winter days with the promise of summer gardens. Learn about seed selection, seed starting soil mixes, flats and pots, lighting, temperature and fertilizers for optimum growth.
Courtney Tchida is the Student Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Minnesota where she coordinates the graduate and undergraduate minors in sustainable agriculture and the Cornercopia Student Organic Farm.
$20. Pre-registration required.
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March 9, 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 and innovative ideas for leaders in developing best practices.
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March 10, 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.
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March 11, 2017
Clear your closets and create jobs! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump during March Salvage Saturdays. Cables, cords, computers and cell phones free. Fees apply for some items.
WHEN:
Saturday, March 11, 2017 , 9 am-1 pm AND
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9 am-1 pm
WHERE:
Tech Dump Saint Paul, 698 Prior Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
55427
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March 11, 2017
Clear your closets and create jobs! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump during March Salvage Saturdays. Cables, cords, computers and cell phones free. Fees apply for some items.
WHEN:
Saturday, March 11, 2017 , 9 am-1 pm
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9 am-1 pm
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March 11, 2017
Bring your broken household goods and clothing in need of repair. Please also bring any tools and supplies you think might help with the job. Events are first come, first served.
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March 14, 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 and in Washington could affect those threats.
Join us for our latest "Green Ideas and Ham" breakfast on Tuesday, March 14th, featuring a panel discussion of these new threats and how we can counter them.
Our breakfast panel includes:
Sam Chadwick of Save the Boundary Waters on why a critical victory to protect the Boundary Waters is now at risk;
Tim Culver from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy on how the rise of massive feedlots is putting our waters at risk and an update on what we expect to see in the upcoming legislature; and,
Andrew Klutey of Environment Minnesota on new attacks on the Clean Water Act by the Trump administration and Congress.
As always, we encourage you to be an active participant in the discussion as well.
The breakfast will begin at 8:00 AM at the Red Stag Supperclub. Remember to bring $15 for breakfast - a delicious, home-made breakfast featuring eggs, pastries, fruit, tea, and coffee.
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March 15, 2017
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.
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March 18, 2017
We are devoted to promoting family exercise, nutrition, and overall wellness!
Family Fitness Expo - MN Newest Health and Fitness Expo - March 18, 2017 - Maplewood Community Center - Free Admission!
Family Fitness Expo is devoted to promoting exercise, nutrition, and overall wellness in families and our community. As well as giving away prizes to encourage family health.
Over $1000 in free prizes!
The Family Fitness Expo was created to educate kids, parents, and grandparents on new exercise, nutrition, and overall wellness techniques, products, and services.
We created our own magazine featuring a fun and healthy article from Natural Awakenings magazine. And contacts for great local health, fitness, and nutritional providers. The magazine is handed out at the show and mailed to 1800 local residents.
This year we also added a FITNESS ZONE, NUTRITION ZONE, and SPA ZONE with fun giveaways from our Prize Sponsors.
Ryan Cahill founder of the Family Fitness Expo has created and promoted over 75 shows throughout Minnesota, in his career. He designed and launched the Family Fitness Expo in 2015 and has expanded to multiple yearly shows in the east and west Twin Cities metro.
Expo features:
Healthy Shopping.
Lots of Great Deals on Fitness Gear.
Live Demonstrations.
Health and Nutrition Samples.
Local Community.
Prizes Offered from over 70 Vendors.
Grand Prize Drawing.
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March 18, 2017
It takes time and money to handle all the waste we throw away. When we reduce the amount of stuff we buy and eventually throw away, we end up with more time, space and money.
fix-it.jpgHave a broken item or two gathering dust at home? Learn how to fix them at a Fix-It Clinic in Dakota County.
County residents will receive free assistance from repair-savvy volunteers guiding them through each step from troubleshooting to a completed repair.
Fix-It Clinics help you and your community:
Reuse items by fixing repairable objects
Reduce unnecessary trash in our landfills
Empower individuals by teaching troubleshooting and repair skills
Build connections between individuals throughout our communities
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March 21, 2017
This training offers information about best practices for managing turfgrass (mowing, seeding, fertilizer and pesticide application, and more). These practices will help you save money, time, and the environment! An optional test is offered at the end of the workshop to earn Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Level I Certification in Turfgrass Maintenance Best Practices. Certified individuals are listed on both the MPCA and MWMO websites.
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March 21, 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 versa!).
Join us on March 21, 2017 from 5:30-8pm at UROC to hear about our 2016 year of connections outreach and research. Our 2016 CURA Research Assistant Eric King will summarize our findings that spanned broadly from overcoming physical barriers like I-94 to socio-economic concerns like gentrification. After his presentation, stick around for a panel discussion about how to take this research and use it to advocate for improved river connections in North!
The schedule of the evening will include appetizers at 5:30pm, the presentation at 6pm, a panel discussion following the presentation and more mingling and food at 7:30pm.
Please follow the link to register for event.
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March 21, 2017
Tired of mowing, watering, fertilizing, raking to keep up with your neighbors? This lawn of the future will free you from those chores while staying within the rough conventions of lawn appearance. There are many ways to transform common Kentucky bluegrass turf into low maintenance alternatives. Douglas will present examples of “No Mow”, where it will thrive, and how to get it established. He will also offer several alternatives for sites where “No Mow” lawn seed mix will not survive. He has been testing a variety of sedge (Carex) and rush (Juncus) species. He will show us examples of these alternatives and answer your questions about establishing these new options as well as how to care for them.
FamilyMeans Building, 1875 Northwestern Ave., Stillwater, MN
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March 25, 2017
Clear your closets and create jobs! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump during March Salvage Saturdays. Cables, cords, computers and cell phones free. Fees apply for some items.
WHEN:
Saturday, March 11, 2017 , 9 am-1 pm
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9 am-1 pm
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March 25, 2017
Clear your closets and create jobs! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump during March Salvage Saturdays. Cables, cords, computers and cell phones free. Fees apply for some items.
WHEN:
Saturday, March 11, 2017 , 9 am-1 pm
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9 am-1 pm
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March 25, 2017
Several community leaders and organizations in South Minneapolis have put their heads and hearts together to host a community seed swap! Now's the time to invite our networks and pool our resources to provide a wide variety of high quality seeds and plants to our neighbors.
Bring open pollinated or heirloom seeds to trade.
Be sure to bring extra envelopes or baggies.
You do not have to bring your own seeds to participate!
*Suggested donation of $5*
**NO ONE is turned away for lack of funds or seeds**
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March 25, 2017
Bring your broken household goods and clothing in need of repair. Please also bring any tools and supplies you think might help with the job. Events are first come, first served.
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March 28, 2017
How is the health of the Mississippi River? Can I safely swim in it? Can I eat the fish I catch? What can we do about silver and other invasive carp? How are bald eagles faring? At FMR we hear questions like these all the time. That's why we partnered with the National Park Service's Mississippi National River & Recreation Area unit to develop the State of the River Report. Join report co-author Trevor Russell, FMR's water program director, for a brief overview of the report's key findings at Minnehaha Academy near the river in south Minneapolis. Trevor will highlight important trends and emerging issues as well as potential solutions.
For more information, including registration information, visit us at http://fmr.org/events/2016/state-of-the-river-presentation-mpls
For more information, including registration information, visit us at http://fmr.org/events/2016/state-of-the-river-presentation-mpls
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March 29, 2017
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.
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March 30, 2017
Join us on March 30th for Happy Hour with Light Apps, a tour of the BWBR offices and a discussion of how sustainability can be applied to work space, business operations and employee culture.
BWBR will provide examples from their on-going sustainability journey to demonstrate how evolving ideas in sustainability can be institutionalized. This journey includes the use of various tools including LEED Certification, AIA’s 2030 Commitment, and the WELL Building Standard. BWBR’s green practices have encompassed areas from the overall company mission, the operation of their building, and to the health and wellness of their employees.
This program will provide inspiration for everyone in your office from the executive and HR level to each individual employee.
This Building Tour is approved for 1 GBCI CEU and 1 AIA LU/HSW CEU.
$20 Guest | $15 Member
Not a member? Join USGBC Minnesota
Are you an emerging professional or student? Contact Brent for reduced cost tickets - bsuski@usgbc.org