Hennepin County

https://www.hennepin.us/business/work-with-henn-co/environment

Hennepin County Environment and Energy assists and educates organizations and residents on reducing waste, recycling, composting, protecting land and water, and managing hazardous waste.

Organization Type: Governmental – County

Locations Served: Hennepin County

Contact: Kira Berglund

Email: kira.berglund@hennepin.us

Types of Resources Offered:

Training, Connections/Network, Materials, Equipment, or Products, In-Kind Time (various), Funding/Grants

Cost to the School for Resources Offered:

 Free

Best Practices Ares for Assistance:

0. Organizational Leadership

1. Green Team: Participating districts and schools form a green team made up diverse roles and stakeholders., 4. Equity And Diversity: District/School Proactively plans for equitable and diverse participation in the program and projects, 6. Community Leadership: District/School contribute their experience to professional and community organizations to foster green school capacity beyond their borders.

1. Reduced Environmental Impact and Costs

3. Waste Reduction: District/School has very little solid waste and recycles a variety of materials., 4. Material Safety: District/School has very little hazardous waste and safely manages it., 5. Water Efficiency: District/School has very little wasted water indoors and in the school yard., 6. Onsite Stormwater Management: Schoolyards include areas that are natural and help rain soak deep into the ground., 8. Green Product Purchasing: District/School purchases green products such as recycled office paper, low or non-toxic cleaning supplies, furniture built to green standards, or efficient computers., 11. Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience: District/School has planned and prepared for extreme weather, adaptation to changing climatic conditions, and has fostered strong community connections., Trees: Schoolyard includes community orchard, shade trees

2. Improved Health and Wellness

2. Indoor Air Quality: District/School has programs to protect air quality such as using a strong ventilation standard, a comprehensive Indoor Air Quality Management Program, an asthma management program, and a no-smoking policy., None of the Above

3. Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education

1. Integrated Environmental Education: Environmental education is integrated throughout the curriculum., 2. Outdoor Learning: Outdoor learning experiences are provided ., 3. Teacher Training: Environmental education training is offered to teachers., 4. Environmental Career Preparation: The curriculum connects to environmental career readiness., 5. Community Projects: Students conduct environmental community engagement projects ., 6. Community Engagement: The district/school partners with community organizations to advance green school achievement.

Additional Detail:

The Environment and Energy Department protects and preserves the environment to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. We provide technical and financial assistance for waste reduction, recycling, and organics collection in schools. In addition, we have the Green Partners environmental education grant program that funds projects to educate, engage and motivate residents to adopt sustainable behaviors. We also provide funding for transportation to environmental education field trips.

We offer tree grants to schools to combat threats from invasive species and disease, increase the diversity and resiliency of the tree canopy, and educate the public. Environment and Energy enhances natural areas and improves water quality through our Natural Resources grants, which are available to schools.

Our department also provides funding and technical assistance to clean up contaminated sites, licenses and inspects businesses that generate hazardous waste, and educates the public on how to take action to protect the environment.