News
February 2021
People/Power… In this month’s resources update we share two different programs that could provide talented individuals to support your sustainability efforts. And if you are interested in greening your landscape maintenance practices, there’s a grant for that too. We also highlight two of our more recent resource organizations: McKinstry and Hennepin County.
In our program news section, you can meet our MN GreenStep Schools interns and learn what they are working on. Here, you’ll also find links to proposed legislation that would fund MN GreenStep Schools and help it grow from a pilot to a full program.
Resources Update: People/Power
University of MN Interns
Do you have a need for a college student intern to work on a sustainability-related project?
Each fall and spring semester, the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities offers SUST 4096: Sustainability Internships, a class that supports students in finding internships with a sustainability focus. Students intern for 4, 7 or 10 hours per week for a total of 14 weeks throughout the semester. Students in the class come from majors and programs across the university, but all of them share an interest in sustainability. If you have a project or position that you think could be a good fit for students in the class, reach out to Jess Jurcek (jurce003@umn.edu) for details about proposing an internship for Fall 2021.
MN GreenStep Schools has worked with three interns from this program so far - it is a great resource and rewarding to provide a meaningful experience for the interns. Read about our wonderful interns later in the newsletter.
Apply to be a Minnesota GreenCorps host site!
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is accepting applications from organizations interested in hosting a Minnesota GreenCorps member for the 2021-2022 program year. The environmentally focused AmeriCorps program places members with organizations throughout Minnesota to spend a year of service addressing critical environmental issues while gaining experience and learning valuable job skills.
Applications are due by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. For more information and to apply, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/mngreencorps. Please direct questions to mngreencorps.pca@state.mn.us .
The MPCA plans to place up to 48 full-time members with host site organizations. Eligible organizations include public entities (local, regional, state, tribal), school districts, not-for-profit institutions of higher education, and 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Members serve 40 hours a week from September 2021 through August 2022 on projects in one of the four focus areas: air pollutant reduction, community readiness and outreach, green infrastructure improvements, or waste reduction, recycling, and organics management.
"We are proud to be a part of MN GreenCorps, not only as a host site, but more importantly in our ability to help shape the future of MN GreenCorps members and open their eyes to Tribal environmental work. This is paid back in full with their work on impactful projects that benefit the Tribe and its resources."
~ MN GreenCorps host site supervisor Brandy Toft, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Operation of the 2021-2022 program year is contingent on receiving funds. Confirmation of funds may not be available prior to the application deadline.
Apply today: Grants for alternative landscaping equipment
MPCA is offering approximately $150,000 in grant funding to replace 2-cycle gasoline-powered landscaping and snow removal equipment with electric-powered equipment.
Gasoline-powered landscaping equipment is a significant source of air emissions in urban areas, impacting the health of equipment operators and the populated communities they serve.
The maximum award is $24,000 with a 50% required match.
Eligible applicants:
Businesses under 500 employees
Governmental agencies or tribal nations
Educational institutions
Non-governmental organizations (e.g., nonprofits, trade groups, industry associations)
Equipment used near populations sensitive to air pollution, in environmental justice areas, and in communities with higher air pollution will tend to score highest. All equipment being replaced must be scrapped or made inoperable.
Apply now! Deadline: March 31, 2021
More than $300,000 in grants has already helped over 100 businesses and organizations switch to electric-powered equipment, such as chainsaws, pole pruners, lawn mowers, string or hedge trimmers, and handheld or backpack blowers. These purchases will reduce annual air emissions by 260 tons of VOCs.
Replacing summer or winter 2-cycle gas-powered equipment with electric-powered eliminates localized air pollution and can have the following benefits:
Lighter - Easy to use and carry across distances and multiple locations.
Powerful - Equal performance to gas in many common applications.
Saves money - No more buying gas. Also less maintenance and lost productivity from being in the shop or delays from flooding.
Safer for employees - Eliminates engine exhaust, reducing odors and respiratory effects; lessen hearing loss; ease cord-pulling and lifting-related injuries; and prevents burns.
Community health - Reduce air pollution in urban areas and lessen noise disruptions.
Review grant materials, application, and Q&A on the MPCA alternative landscaping grants webpage.
Applicants must submit all questions to grants.pca@state.mn.us, subject: "Alternative Landscaping Grant Question."
MN GreenStep Schools Resource Organizations Highlights
MN GreenStep Schools appreciates all the Member Resource Organizations that help schools in their efforts to grow. Here are highlights from two of our more recent resource organizations: McKinstry and Hennepin County. You can click on their links to see their full resource organization page. Then consider being next… Go to the Resource Organizations Page to sign up.
McKinstry is a business serving all of Minnesota, that partners with districts to help them meet their goals. Often using state funding or grants, they “design, build, operate, and maintain high-performance, energy-efficient buildings that ensure the comfort, productivity, and safety of the people who occupy them.” See the McKinstry GreenStep School Member Page where you can learn more and contact McKinstry GreenStep Schools liaison, Kathleen Donovan.
Hennepin County is our first county to become a MN GreenStep Schools Resource Organization. They are a good example of what counties can offer schools in their geographic area. Their Hennepin County Environment and Energy group “assists and educates organizations and residents on reducing waste, recycling, composting, protecting land and water, and managing hazardous waste.” See the Hennepin County GreenStep Schools Member Page where you can learn more about their free resources and contact Kira Berglund.
MN GreenStep Schools Program News
Fall 2020 Intern: Kelly Alworth
Kelly Alworth, was our Fall 2020 Intern from the University of Minnesota Sustainability Internship class.
I asked her to share her reflection on her internship.
"I had the opportunity to intern with Minnesota GreenStep Schools program Fall 2020. The biggest accomplishment of my internship was creating a GIS dashboard to show sustainability progress schools have made in Minnesota and inspire more schools to adopt similar green practices. My GreenStep Schools internship introduced me to the world of green building standards and certifications, most notably USGBCs LEED program. This knowledge has proven to be very useful in my new job, as compliance with green building standards is a focal point of my work."
Kelly was a wonderful asset to MN GreenStep Schools and I was glad to hear that it helped her build skills for her work after graduation in December 2020 with a B.S. Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management and a Minor in Sustainability Studies. She now works for the Brainerd office of Lexington Manufacturing. I asked her about her work at her new job.
"I am working on a product compliance project to ensure Lexington’s products meet all applicable regulatory requirements and green building standards. This includes complying with federal regulations for wood products as well as assembling information and documentation to support customers’ compliance requirements for green building programs (including LEED, Green Globes, CHPS, etc). "
Working with Kelly through SUST 4096 internships was such a success that we now have two more interns for Spring 2021.
Faduma Ali, Spring 2021 Intern
Hello, My name is Faduma Ali. I am a senior at the University of Minnesota. I am majoring in the health sciences with a special topic interest in public health. I have always been interested in the healthcare field. Throughout my undergrad experiences, I have developed an interest in public health policy and the affordability/ accessibility of healthcare. To foster these interests, I have taken classes, participated in student and community-led organizations, and worked for organizations/ programs such as MN GreenStep Schools via internships.
This semester I will be working with MN GreenStep Schools to develop best practice “2.9. Health Resources and Planning: District/School has health resources (e.g. a nurse or health aid) and has an overall health plan that includes mental health, positive school climate, inclusivity, equity, and safety.” I will also be conducting a lit review on the intersections between equity and sustainability.
Annika Fisher, Spring 2021 Intern
I am a junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in Developmental Psychology and minoring in Sustainability Studies. I joined Minnesota GreenStep Schools because I wanted to find a way to combine my knowledge of developmental psychology and sustainability, and GreenStep Schools is a great way to do so. I'm excited to be able to help in developing the waste reduction best practices for the GreenStep website, as well as writing here and there for the newsletter while I explore how psychology and sustainability intersect. "
MN GreenStep Schools Proposed Legislation
On February 11th, a bill was introduced that would fund MN GreenStep Schools to grow from a pilot to a full program with ongoing development and support. Senator Wiger introduced SF 775. Representative Jordan introduced the companion bill HF 841. As of this writing, The bill has been referred to committees.
Thanks to the contacts from Districts, Schools, Resource Organizations, and others
who have expressed interest in MN GreenStep Schools!
who have expressed interest in MN GreenStep Schools!
Interested in the program? Want to be on the mailing list? Sign up in the Interest Form...
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Interest from Contacts at:
MN School Districts:La Crescent-Hokah (ISD 300)Minneapolis Public Schools (ISD 1)Pequot Lakes Public Schools (ISD 186)Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (ISD 719)Royalton School District (ISD 485)Saint Paul Public Schools (ISD 625)Spring Lake Park Schools (ISD 16)Stillwater Area Public School District (ISD 834)Wayzata Public School District (ISD 284)West St. Paul-Mendota Hts.-Eagan (ISD 197)Wrenshall Public School District (ISD 100)Yellow Medicine East (ISD 2190)MN Schools:Andover High SchoolBellaire Education CenterCarlton High SchoolCity of Lakes Waldorf SchoolDiscovery Woods MontessoriForest Lake Area High SchoolGarlough Environmental Magnet SchoolHarbor City International SchoolHeritage E-Stem Magnet SchoolHiawatha Collegiate High SchoolHidden Oaks Middle School Hilltop Primary School La Crescent-Hokah Secondary SchoolLyndale Community School PTOMendota Elementary SchoolMoreland Arts and Health Sciences Magnet ElementaryNorthern Lights Community SchoolPike Lake ElementaryPine Bend ElementaryPrairie Seeds AcademyRockford Middle School-Center for Environmental StudiesSartell Middle SchoolShakopee West Middle SchoolSt Paul Conservatory for Performing ArtistsSt. Stephens Catholic SchoolSomerset Elementary SchoolWestbrook-Walnut Grove SecondaryWilliam M. Kelley SchoolWrenshall High School
Interest from Contacts at Resource Organizations Including Cities:
Anoka County Recycling and Resource SolutionsCity of EdinaCity of Elk RiverCity of Falcon HeightsCity of FridleyCity of Golden ValleyCity of HutchinsonCity of MoorheadCity of WarrenClimate Generation: A Will Steger LegacyE.C. Goodwin Technical HS (Connecticut)Environmental Quality BoardGreen Ribbon Schools Award - MN Dept. of EducationGreenStep Cities @ the MN Pollution Control AgencyGrowing Green Hearts LLCHennepin County Environment & EnergyJeffers Foundation Jessy Carlson (consultant)Macalester CollegeMcKinstryMinnesota Association for Environmental EducationMinnesota Department of HealthMinnesota DNRMN350.orgSWWC Service CooperativeThe Weidt GroupU.S. Green Building CouncilYES! (Youth Eco Solutions)