Minnesota GreenCorps Project Summaries · The member will work to get all city of Rogers buildings...

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Minnesota GreenCorps Project Summaries Program year 2011-2012 Program Overview.........................................................................................................................................................2 Minnesota GreenCorps 2011-2012 Host Sites Map ......................................................................................................3 ENERGY CONSERVATION ...............................................................................................................................................4 Clean Energy Resources Teams (CERTs) ........................................................................................................................4 City of Red Wing ............................................................................................................................................................4 City of Rogers.................................................................................................................................................................4 Ecolibrium3....................................................................................................................................................................5 Dakota County ...............................................................................................................................................................5 WASTE PREVENTION AND RECYCLING ..........................................................................................................................6 Eureka Recycling ............................................................................................................................................................6 Fairview Health Services................................................................................................................................................6 ISD 719 – Prior Lake Savage Schools..............................................................................................................................6 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board .......................................................................................................................7 University of Minnesota – Twin Cities ...........................................................................................................................7 LIVING GREEN ................................................................................................................................................................8 Bemidji State University ................................................................................................................................................8 City of Saint Paul............................................................................................................................................................8 Columbia Heights Public Schools...................................................................................................................................9 Gardening Matters ........................................................................................................................................................9 Midtown Greenway Coalition......................................................................................................................................10 Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture .........................................................................................................10 River Keepers...............................................................................................................................................................10 Upper Sioux Community..............................................................................................................................................11 Western Lake Superior Sanitary District......................................................................................................................11 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ............................................................................................................................................12 City of Austin ...............................................................................................................................................................12 City of Duluth...............................................................................................................................................................12 City of Northfield .........................................................................................................................................................12 Metro Blooms..............................................................................................................................................................13 Ramsey Washington Metropolitan Watershed District...............................................................................................13 Three Rivers Park District ............................................................................................................................................13 PARTNER SITE: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MORRIS................................................................................................14

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency December 2011 | p-mgc1-03 651-296-6300 | 800-657-3864 | TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 Available in alternative formats

Program Overview Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide program to help preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals.

Coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Minnesota GreenCorps started in September 2009. It was initiated in response to a variety of statewide needs, aiming to:

reduce solid waste and increase recycling in Minnesota communities

reduce greenhouse gases and other air pollutants

reduce water runoff and improve water quality

assist community members to take eco friendly actions

train new environmental professionals

In its third year, Minnesota GreenCorps includes 26 full-time members supported and deployed statewide by the MPCA. In addition, working in a strategic partnership with University of Minnesota – Morris (UMM), five part-time members are being hosted at UMM’s campus.

Eligible host sites included local governments, school districts, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. For profit entities were not eligible to serve as host sites.

Twenty-six host sites were selected to participate in this program for 2011-2012. These sites were chosen from 63 applicants through a competitive process. Placement of Minnesota GreenCorps members at these host sites is from October 2011 through early September 2011. Members are serving in one of the four following positions:

Energy Conservation: Reducing energy use and costs for buildings and communities.

Waste Prevention and Recycling: Increasing reuse, recycling and composting, and reducing solid waste.

Living Green: Promoting environmentally friendly actions by community members.

Green Infrastructure: Reducing environmental impacts of stormwater or supporting urban forestry initiatives.

The following pages contain descriptions of the host site projects, member activities, and projected results, which are organized by category.

Minnesota GreenCorps is funded through a combination of state and federal resources from the Corporation for National and Community Service, ServeMinnesota, and the MPCA. Additional in kind resources are contributed from host sites.

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Energy Conservation

Clean Energy Resources Teams (CERTs)

Project overview

The member, located at the University of Minnesota office, will assist the CERTs program and statewide partner organizations with the collection of building energy usage data, benchmarking of energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, and analysis of benchmarking results. This work will also include integration, education, outreach, and guidance regarding implementation of low-cost energy efficiency measures in buildings and fleets in conjunction with CERTs-related projects including: GreenStep Cities, Minnesota Schools Conserving Energy and Water, and the CERTified campaigns. The member will be involved in helping CERTs provide communities with webinars, events, and other meetings focused on energy efficiency conservation.

Projected results

number of buildings benchmarked for energy usage

number of cities assisted in benchmarking, analyzing, and implementing energy reduction plans

number of building managers trained to benchmark their buildings

number of participants in CERTified campaigns

City of Red Wing

Project overview

The member will work with the city of Red Wing to conserve energy, improve efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants by assisting the Red Wing Public Works Department in collecting and benchmarking energy use information from city buildings and the city fleet of vehicles and equipment. The member will also work with Xcel Energy to establish an energy use and billing system that can be tracked more efficiently, assist the city in implementation and reporting as part of the GreenStep Cities program, work with the city’s Sustainability Commission to identify other GreenStep Cities best management practices to implement, and participate in Earth Day Event planning activities.

Projected results

number of public buildings benchmarked for energy use

number of fleet vehicles and streetlights benchmarked for energy use

number of attendees at energy use summit planned and conducted with the city, school district, and county

increased awareness of energy use and GreenStep Cities in the community

City of Rogers

Project overview

The member will work to get all city of Rogers buildings up to date with the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking and with Energy Star Certification, assist city staff with preparing a scope of work for contractors to bid building commissioning and re-commissioning studies, and assist in determining fiscally responsible measures that will increase building operational efficiencies. The member will also assist city staff in designing and implementing a fleet vehicle plan that will give all employees guidance in the most efficient methods of operation. In addition, the member will help to create a water conservation program for residents under the direction of the utility department.

Projected results

number of buildings up to date with B3 benchmarking

number of low and no cost operational measures implemented and actual savings documented

number of buildings commissioned or re-commissioned to operate at peak performance

number of participants in the water conservation program


Ecolibrium3

Project overview

The member hosted at the nonprofit Common Ground Construction will work with the Duluth Energy Efficiency Program on energy efficiency outreach and energy data gathering and reporting. The member will assist in the expansion of the residential energy database in Duluth, which is being developed to include over 20,000 units of housing. The member also will help develop a partnership with building material suppliers to create a “point-of-sale” information campaign and then help create the curriculum for retailer training. In addition, the GreenCorps member will work with interested parties in the nine northeastern counties of Minnesota, and will assist homeowners who have the highest energy consumption to obtain home performance audits in partnership will local utility programs. Comprehensive data will be collected on recommended measures, potential energy and greenhouse gas savings, and implementation.

Project activities

Increase energy conservation behaviors by the campus community through creating conservation and education programs and assisting with implementation.

Organize and motivate student leaders to conduct friendly energy/green audits for dorms, off-campus housing and campus offices/departments. Audits will include educating people about how they can help save energy at work/school/home through their everyday choices in lighting, computing, commuting, waste and recycling, and water usage.

Evaluate data trends in electricity and natural gas usage to monitor campus consumption patterns.

Monitor and measure changes in attitudes, awareness and behavior, along with energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions, by surveying the campus and assessing results from campaigns.

Develop public service announcements for both the campus and the surrounding community via outlets such as Web, KUMD radio, and press releases to community media, and archive results in a master tracking database.

Contribute to existing webpages, blogs, and campus announcements regarding everyday behaviors and choices that are more sustainable.

Projected results

number of households participating in energy efficiency work, including installation of low-cost/no-cost measures, advanced energy audits, and comprehensive energy improvements

number of participants in a training program for building material retail associates

number of household energy scores generated

number of presentations/tabling on energy efficiency in northeast Minnesota

Dakota County

The member will help implement the County Board-adopted Energy Plan and assist cities with the implementation of energy-related GreenStep Cities best practices. The member will work with staff from Dakota County cities to enter the previous year’s energy data into B3 and train city staff on how to extract the most value from B3 and its continued use going forward. As time permits, the member also will assist Dakota Valley Recycling (representing the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, and Eagan) in organizing a Green Team Training and providing energy efficiency outreach and technical assistance to businesses. The goal is that energy efficiency and employee behavior change will result in a two percent countywide reduction in electric consumption.

Projected results

number of county buildings benchmarked in the B3 database

percent reduction in energy use in county buildings and vehicle fleet

number of Dakota County cities entering their building energy data into the B3 database

number of recommendations made for improving low performance buildings

number of businesses receiving information and assistance to implement no-cost/low cost energy saving strategies


Waste Prevention and Recycling

Eureka Recycling

Project overview

The member will identify the neighborhoods in the city of Saint Paul that have historically had the lowest participation in the curbside recycling program, and will conduct a participation study in each of the selected neighborhoods to establish a baseline for current participation. The member will partner with city staff and local community organizations to develop neighborhood specific plans to engage residents in education and outreach efforts. The member will engage the community by promoting recycling and waste reduction, helping residents understand their recycling program, and helping to motivate them to participate in recycling.

Projected results

Increased participation in curbside recycling by 15 percent

Increased usership of the Twin Cities Free Market (reuse program) by 15 percent

Develop neighborhood specific outreach and education strategies for each of the targeted neighborhoods

Fairview Health Services

Project overview

The member will help Fairview’s sustainability staff in working to meet the organization’s goal of reducing solid waste by 50 percent by 2015 (as compared to 2009 levels). Fairview has currently reduced their waste by 30 percent. Proposed member activities include continuing office paper reduction efforts, expanding the organics program, working on a junk mail reduction campaign, and exploring the creation of an internal "reuse" store. The member may also participate in packaging reduction projects with vendors. And, as there is interest in operating rooms to reduce the use of supplies (without impacting patient care), the member will have access to projects in a surgery setting as well.

Projected results

Member efforts will contribute to Fairview Health Services’ goal of reducing solid waste 50 percent from 2009 levels.

ISD 719 – Prior Lake Savage Schools

Project overview

The member will work with custodial staff in 11 buildings to set up and arrange containers that support composting and waste reduction, work with district educational staff to develop habits for role modeling and instructor knowledge, assist in producing age-appropriate signage for each building, work with established environmental education committees at each site as a resource for composting/recycling/ waste reduction, work with established student groups at each site as a resource for composting/ recycling/waste reduction, and provide updates and data reports.

Projected results

number of community members reached

number of youth engaged

number of sites receiving assistance

percentage increase in knowledge/behavior change

increase in recycling

increase in waste diverted


Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Project overview

The member will work to improve recycling collection throughout the system to meet public expectations of a signature waste management program. The member will assist in the development of employee policies and procedures in the area of waste management, and will work with the city, volunteers, schools, and community groups to combine efforts in the area of recycling.

Projected results

accomplish a 10 percent reduction in waste and 10 percent increase in recycling

educate and engage community members in youth on waste management practices

implement green practices at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Project overview

The member will conduct a waste analysis to assess the effectiveness of a current pilot project at the University that integrates organics collection into offices and classrooms. The member will then launch the pilot project across the rest of the campus, and ensure that waste collection and handling systems are appropriately modified. The member will provide training and tools to members of the campus community to aid them in the transition, and will make recommendations for modifying the pilot to increase diversion generally and to improve the collection of organics specifically. The member will develop content for a waste management guide and create media for delivering waste management guide content to students and employees. The member will use the waste management guide to develop specific informational campaigns to target audiences such as residence halls during Recyclemania, students living off-campus, and University employees.

Projected results

a detailed assessment of the pilot program

successful deployment of organics collection (contribution to a five percent waste diversion goal)

development of a waste management guide


Living Green

Bemidji State University

Project overview

The member will work to integrate sustainable practices into local businesses, schools, and government entities. One objective is to educate the campus and Bemidji community on ways to reduce waste and conserve water and energy. Another objective is to assist the city of Bemidji, Bemidji State University, and Rail River Folk School with the marketing, maintenance, and utilization of community gardens. The GreenCorps member will work with the city of Bemidji’s Sustainability Committee to investigate the opportunities and value that the GreenStep Cities program would bring to the city.

Projected results

educate at least 400 community members on environmentally-conscious practices and activities

educate at least 200 youth (under the age of 25) on environmentally-conscious practices and activities

catalyze the implementation of at least 10 green practices or technologies

reduce waste and increase recycling by 10 percent in participating businesses and organizations

City of Saint Paul

Project overview

The member will work with Saint Paul’s 40 existing community gardens and burgeoning urban agriculture programs in the context of the policy created by the Saint Paul and Ramsey County Food and Nutrition Commission. The member will assist with implementing commission recommendations through the promotion of backyard gardening, establishment of community urban agriculture partnerships, and identification of public land for urban food production. The member will develop Web-based and print-based educational and marketing campaigns to help the community engage in developing a local food system.

Projected results

land available for urban food production will be inventoried

recommendations of the Saint Paul and Ramsey County Food and Nutrition Commission will be implemented

number of participants in community gardening in Saint Paul will increase

increased number of community-based urban agricultural initiatives in the City


Columbia Heights Public Schools

Project overview

The member will work to strengthen Blooming Heights Edible Schoolyard, a new initiative of Columbia Heights Public Schools. The member will work with teachers and students in utilizing Blooming Heights Edible Schoolyard within school curricula, and also work with afterschool programs to utilize Blooming Heights. The member will more fully use existing worm compost and garden compost systems and expand composting in each school site, and will work with students in developing projects such as a garden fruit/vegetable stand, integrating garden items into school lunch program, environmental service learning projects. The member will aslo work with the Adult Enrichment Coordinator to offer classes on environmental topics to the Columbia Heights community.

Projected results

additional educational experiences in Blooming Heights Edible Schoolyard for all E-12 students

increased education on local foods, gardening, composting, recycling, and environmental education for Adult Basic Education Program

increased community outreach and education for general community members on gardening, composting, recycling, and environmental education

implementation of curriculum connections with Blooming Heights in all subjects at all six school sites E-12

expanded worm composting and use of GrowLabs at all six school sites E-12

increased understanding of sustainability efforts (gardening, composting, recycling) by at least 30 percent of Columbia Heights Public Schools students

Gardening Matters

Project overview

The member will promote local food resource hubs: locally-based partnerships of individuals, businesses, community organizations, and institutions supporting food production at the neighborhood/community level. This position will engage youth and adults in sustainable agriculture, and provide education on composting, food preservation, and participation in other activities to reduce garden waste.

Projected results

up to 1,000 members of local food hubs in 2011-2012

continued development of three Resource Hubs and establishment of another Resource Hub in Minneapolis and another in Saint Paul, with potential for another in Dakota County

distribution of over 13,000 seed packets and 17,000 seedlings to people who have inadequate access to resources and education to grow, preserve, and cook their own food

indirect outcomes will be more widespread use of season extension techniques, improved gardening skills, with the outcome of greater food produced where people live


Midtown Greenway Coalition

Project overview

The member will assist in increasing the use of this successful Minneapolis bicycle transportation spine by organizing communities along Midtown Greenway lateral feeder routes and proposed new Midtown Greenway entrance ramps. The member will engage citizens in planning and using high quality bicycle transportation routes that link up to the Midtown Greenway. The member will also work to help neighborhood organizations, block clubs, and other civic institutions to visualize, plan for and support “complete streets” improvements along the feeder routes to the Midtown Greenway.

Projected results

engage and educate community members

resolutions from at least eight neighborhood organizations supporting changes needed to implement at least three feeder routes and two entrance ramps

proposed configuration of complete streets along at least three feeder routes and suggested design concepts for two new Midtown Greenway entrance ramps

(long-term, beyond the one-year GreenCorps Member period)--implementation of at least three feeder routes and two Midtown Greenway entrance ramps

Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture

Project overview

The member will provide outreach and education opportunities specifically focused on local foods to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus and community. In addition, waste and recycling through composting will also be covered in depth through the member's activities. The member will assist in the Cornercopia Student Organic Farm, a student program of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, which has been providing only limited (June-August) outreach to various schools and community groups since its inception in 2005. The member will also have the opportunity to create educational outreach programs to students within the University of Minnesota and its surrounding communities.

Projected results

number of community members impacted

number of youth educated and engaged through Cornercopia Farm

three thousand residents of Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, and Saint Anthony Park will become aware of Cornercopia Farm and be educated about local food options and environmental impacts

approximately 5,000 first-year University of Minnesota students will learn about Cornercopia

at least 20 visits to community, K-12 and student organizations conducted

River Keepers

Project overview

The member will work with River Keepers staff, volunteers, and local and state agency staff to reduce and prevent polluted stormwater from entering the Red River of the North. The member will also work to reduce and prevent plastic bags, pharmaceuticals and toxic cleaning materials from entering the Red River. Anticipated projects include teaching rain barrel construction workshops, promoting a storm drain marking program, recruiting volunteers, and promoting reusable shopping bag use.

Projected results

number of workshop/classes carried out by the member, including on rain barrels and barrel composters

number of students and youth reached by educational programs

number of storm drain marking events

number of attendees at sponsored community events


Upper Sioux Community

Project overview

The member will promote environment-related changes in behaviors and attitudes of community members and employees by building capacity through outreach, education, and technical assistance. The member will work on waste prevention, recycling and composting, energy conservation, increasing local food consumption, reducing toxicity of cleaning supplies, and fostering sustainable behavior.

Projected results

provide outreach and technical assistance to 482 tribal members

quantity of waste reduced

decrease in energy used

increase in materials composted

increased production and consumption of local foods

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District

Project overview

The member will maintain and support school recycling programs that have already been established in the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District service area and will work with six additional schools in the Duluth School District, and one school in each of the following districts: Edison Charter Schools, Holy Rosary, Marshall School, and Carlton. Each school and its associated community will be educated regarding the importance of proper solid waste management and waste reduction.

Projected results

a minimum of 25 schools will participate in new or improved solid waste programs

increase in community awareness and involvement

reduction in toxic cleaners used in each participating school


Green Infrastructure

City of Austin

Project overview

The member will assist in the inventory of trees in public areas, parks, and boulevards. The member will assist in developing forestry best management practices and a forestry plan. The member will work with community groups to encourage them to follow best practices for city trees.

Projected results

percentage of community tree inventory completed

progress made on community forestry plan

City of Duluth

Project overview

The member will continue a tree inventory of the city, with assistance from volunteers. The member will assist in the research and writing of a Tree Master Plan for the city, as well as increase and expand community involvement with the city’s urban forestry program. The member will also document areas in need of restoration through stormwater best management practices.

Projected results

percentage of community tree inventory completed

progress made on tree master plan

increase in number of community participants and volunteers in urban forestry activities

number of best management practices plans documented

City of Northfield

Project overview

The member will participate in education initiatives for the general public on stormwater management and improving water quality. The member will work with the city’s Environmental Quality Commission on stormwater-related projects. The member will assist in the development of educational materials, as well as implement educational campaigns about rain gardens and other low impact development practices.

Projected results

number of educational materials developed and disseminated to the public

number of residents engaged in stormwater projects


Metro Blooms

Project overview

The member will conduct hands-on classroom educational activities focused on stormwater management. The member will identify the locations and characteristics of all best management practices as part of Metro Bloom’s neighborhood installation projects. The member will engage partner cities, watershed districts, lake associations and other partners to encourage them to map the locations of their stormwater projects.

Projected results

number of members of the general public engaged in stormwater management educational activities

number of best management practices mapped and described

number of partner cities, watershed districts, lake associations, and others engaged

Ramsey Washington Metropolitan Watershed District

Project overview

The member will inventory and inspect existing stormwater volume reduction best management practices within the district, and will use the district best management practices database to identify and work with other district staff to track inspections, maintenance, and status of each best management practice. The member will use GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) equipment for locating best management practices and will coordinate with landowners (city, county, and private landowners) to complete inspections and maintenance. The member will continue with activities started by the 2010-2011 member, which will include additional inventory, database entry, and continued inspection and additional maintenance activities. The member will also be involved in the development of a coordinated maintenance program using an outside vendor.

Projected results

number of past and new stormwater volume reduction best management practices that are inventoried and entered into the district’s database system

completeness of the entries

number of key best management practices inspected

Three Rivers Park District

Project overview

The member will conduct a tree inventory of the Three River Park District’s natural areas, and quantify the benefits of trees in these and other areas of the park. The member will also conduct neighborhood education around forest management, and assist with event and volunteer coordination.

Projected results

number of trees inventoried

number of residents attending public education workshops

number of volunteers participating in member-organized events


Partner Site: University of Minnesota, Morris The University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) is hosting on its campus five reduced half-time Minnesota GreenCorps members for the 2010-2011 program year. These members are currently enrolled UMM undergraduate juniors or seniors, and will be serving 720 hours from September 2010 through August 2011. Outcomes for these positions will be comparable with those in the Minnesota GreenCorps full-time positions, with expectations consistent with the reduced half-time status of these members.

Position 1: Living Green

This member will focus on local food collaboration with Morris Healthy Eating and local area farmers markets. This includes work with community gardens, community outreach, and other local food priorities identified with partners.

Position 2: Green Infrastructure

This member will collaborate with the city of Morris around urban forestry efforts, namely a tree inventory of parks and bike path maintenance.

Position 3: Waste and Recycling

This member will work with Stevens County Environmental Health and Safety on waste and recycling issues. The member will work on increasing turnout at county recycling efforts, school partners, and community events, and UMM composting efforts.

Position 4: Energy Conservation and Air Quality

This member will continue work with Stevens County on energy conservation education and B3 energy benchmarking for the campus and surrounding communities.

Position 5: Living Green Outreach

This member will help the Morris area with stormwater investigation, assessment and education activities. The member will also work with the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center on their Youth Energy Summit activities.


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