Community POWER:

Environmental Victory

Julie Gordon, Project Manager

Camden Community in NW Minneapolis2000 census data

• 31,250 residents• average household

income is nearly $20,000 less than Twin Cities average

• ethnic diversity 42% Caucasian34% African-American15% Asian5% Hispanic

4% Other

Minneapolis

Victory Environment Committee• Goal of becoming the greenest neighborhood in

Minneapolis

We’re well on the way,

because of our

Community

POWER Grant.

Thank you!

Environmental Victory Goals

1. Vermicomposting in the community and school

2. Reduce Household Hazardous Waste/ Nontoxic Alternatives

3. Education and Outreach Program

Strategy 1: Vermicomposting

Activities

We’ve got worms!

• Train-the-Trainer by Carver County

• Two workshops for community

• Vermicomposting “Tupperware parties”

• 44 vermicomposting bins

Strategy 1: Vermicomposting Community Activities

Strategy 1: Vermicomposting Loring School Activities

• Vermiculture integrated into second grade curriculum: reading, writing, science, math

• Students will lead families in building 12 vermicompost bins. Families will draw to win the bins.

Strategy 1: Vermicomposting Success Academy (Mpls Public Alternative)

• BONUS! Not originally part of POWER project

• Science teacher lives in Victory

• Vermicompost bin used in science classroom for 80 students

Strategy 2: Reduce Household Hazardous Waste Workshops

• 54 people attended Reduce Household Toxins and Low-Impact Gardening Workshops

Strategy 3: Education and Outreach Community Events

• Camden Farmers Market• Victory Neighborhood Meeting • Lowry Avenue Harvest Festival• Minneapolis Parks Earth Day Clean Up• Low Waste Holidays activity at “Holiday

on 44th”• Victory Ice Cream Social June 2010 –

planned waste-free event

Strategy 3: Education and Outreach Community Events

• Collaboration with Hennepin County Environmental Services:Holiday on 44th Low Waste Holidays

Reduce Household Hazardous Waste Workshop

• Monthly columns in Camden News— circ. 12,500

• Articles in NorthNews– circ. 29,000

Strategy 3: Education and Outreach Articles

Environmental VictorySustainability

Worm project will remain vigorous!

• Worm bins will be passed down to new classes is the fall

• Word of mouth will lead to more bins in community

Environment Committee Members will continue education and outreach