Environmental education

Spread the word! Use the following resources to promote environmental programs, issues and news in your communication channels. Resources include newsletter articles, web stories, social media posts, images and handouts. Resources are available for current campaigns and for general environmental issues.

Current campaigns

Safe disposal options for household needles and sharps

It’s important to manage and dispose of sharps (needles, lancets, and syringes) safely to prevent injury and disease transmission from needle-sticks. Starting March 1, 2016, needles and sharps will be accepted from households for disposal at Hennepin County’s Drop-off Facilities in Brooklyn Park and Bloomington. For proper prep and directions, go to www.hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/items/needles-sharps.

• Safe disposal options for household needles and sharps newsletter and social media posts (DOCX); Information to promote safe disposal of household needles and sharps.
• Safe disposal options for household needles and sharps brochure (PDF)
• Images: Safe household sharp storage (JPG)

Green Disposal Guide

The online Green Disposal Guide provides simple content about how to get rid of items. Easy to use and mobile friendly, the Green Disposal Guide offers a range of disposal options and also encourages responsible disposal practices.

• Green Disposal Guide newsletter and social media posts (DOCX): Information to promote Hennepin County's Green Disposal Guide
• Images: Green Disposal Guide on smartphone - horizontal (JPG), on smartphone - vertical (JPG), batteries (JPG), compact fluorescent bulbs (JPG), read the label: household hazardous waste (JPG) and yard waste (JPG).

Recycling and reducing waste

Residential recycling

• What can I recycle newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Information about what materials can be recycled at home.
• Recycle FAQs newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Answers to commonly asked recycling questions.
• Images: residential recycling 1 (JPG), residential recycling 2 (JPG), get images of recyclable materials through RethinkRecycling

Recycle Everywhere

The 2015 Recycle Everywhere campaign focuses on tips and tricks to expand your recycling habits beyond the kitchen to the bathroom, laundry room and home office. 

• Recycle Everywhere newsletter and social media posts (DOCX): Tips on recycling everywhere in your home.
• Recycle Everywhere logo (JPG)
• Images: recycling, organics recycling and trash labels (JPG), recycling in the laundry room (JPG), make it fun (JPG), recycling bag on bathroom door know (JPG), recycling in the bathroom (JPG)
• Recycle Everywhere tips and tricks factsheet (PDF)

Business recycling

Owners with commercial buildings in the seven-county metro area – that also generate four cubic yards or more of trash per week – must be recycling at least three materials by January 1, 2016. Businesses can get funds, recycling bins and advice from Hennepin County. Learn more.

• Business recycling requirement newsletter and social media posts (DOCX): Explains the new business recycling requirement and resources available
• Images: Business Recycling-Chef at work (JPG), Business waste sorting station (JPG), Business waste sorting station2 (JPG), Business waste sorting station3 (JPG)

Green events

Get resources for planning green events, including a planning guide, templates and tools, and event recycling containers. Learn more.

• Green events newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Tips for planning green events
• Images: event recycling containers 1 (JPG), event recycling containers 2 (JPG)

Fix-It Clinics and repair tips

Residents with broken household goods or clothing in need of repair can get free, guided assistance on disassembling, troubleshooting and fixing their items at Fix-It Clinics.

• Fix-It Clinic newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Promote upcoming Fix-It Clinics
• Repair tips newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Repair tips shared by handy Fix-It Clinic volunteers
• Fix-It Clinic flyer (PDF) 
• Images: fixing a lamp (JPG), disassembled item (JPG), disassembling an item (JPG), mending clothing 1 (JPG), mending clothing 2 (JPG)

Rethink Recycling communication tool kits

Find free articles, fact sheets, images, ad templates and more on a variety of waste reduction and recycling topics. Available at Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board.

Disposing of and reducing hazardous waste

Identifying, reducing and disposing of hazardous waste

• Identifying and disposing of hazardous waste newsletter articles and social media posts (DOCX): Information about common hazardous materials we have in our homes and options for safe disposal.
• Reducing hazardous waste (DOCX): Steps to reduce the amount of hazardous waste we have in our homes.
• Images: box of hazardous waste (JPG), hazardous products on a shelf (JPG), man looking at hazardous products on shelf (JPG), using green cleaners (JPG), dropping off hazardous waste at a drop-off facility (JPG), get more images of hazardous waste through Rethink Recycling

Medicine disposal

Medicine drop boxes are available throughout Hennepin County for residents to safely dispose of unwanted and unused medicines.

• Medicine disposal newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Information and guidelines for safely disposing of medicines.
• Images: medicine drop box 1 (JPG), medicine drop box 2 (JPG), medicine cabinet (JPG)

Organics recycling, composting and disposing of yard waste

Backyard composting

• Backyard composting newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Steps to composting in your backyard
• Images: backyard compost bins (JPG), turning a compost pile (JPG), food waste in backyard compost bin (JPG)

Organics recycling

• Organics recycling newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Information on what materials are accepted in organics recycling programs and what program options are available.
• Images: scraping food waste into organics recycling kitchen pail (JPG), putting bagged organics into organics recycling bin (JPG)

Yard waste

• Yard waste newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Options for disposing of yard waste
• Images: bagging leaves (JPG), raking leaves (JPG), blowing leaves (JPG)

Protecting land and water

Actions to protect water quality

• Protect water quality newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Five things you can do to protect lakes and streams.
• Water Quality Brochure (PDF) - 10 things that you can do to in your lawn, garden and around your house to improve Minnesota's lakes, rivers and streams
• Images: rake leaves out of street (JPG), raking leaves (JPG), rain barrel (JPG), pick up pet waste (JPG), use fertilizer wisely (JPG), sweep up fertilizer (JPG)

Adopt a storm drain

• Adopt a Storm Drain newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX):  Steps to take to protect lakes and streams by keeping storm drains clear.
• Images: sweeping up a storm drain (JPG), storm drain covered in leaves (JPG)

Rain gardens

• Rain gardens newsletter article and social media posts (DOCX): Information about what rain gardens are and why they're important and resources for installing rain gardens.
• Images: rain garden (JPG)

Learning trunks and activities that can be checked out by educators (both formal and informal) for use in environmental education lessons or as displays at events.

To reserve any of the following learning trunks, contact Angela Ziobro at angela.ziobro@hennepin.us or 612-348-9850.

Green gifts learning trunk 

This trunk helps illustrate ideas for giving greener gifts as well as choosing greener gift wrapping. It includes examples of gifts wrapped using reused and recyclable material as well as low-waste gift ideas.

See the trunk contents (PDF) and engagement guide for leading an activity (PDF) or at events (PDF).

Green parties learning trunk

This trunk helps illustrate ideas for hosting greener parties. It includes party supply examples for high-waste parties, low-waste parties, and parties with organics for composting as an option.

See the trunk contents (PDF) and engagement guide for leading an activity (PDF) or at events (PDF).

Household hazardous waste learning trunk

The Household Hazardous Waste Learning Trunk will help educators explain the importance of proper use, storage, disposal and safety information of household hazardous products.

• Sample products for a label reading activity
• Activities, lesson plans and project ideas
• Posters and display signs
• Digital files including presentations, images and resources
• Engagement guides for presentations, workshops and events

See the trunk contents (PDF) and engagement guide for leading an activity (PDF) or at events (PDF).

Green cleaning learning trunk

The Green Cleaning Learning Trunk will help educators to explain the simplicity, safety and effectiveness of home-made cleaners.

The trunk includes:

• Green Cleaner recipe guides
• Green cleaner ingredient example containers
• Drain cleaning example product
• Engagement guide for presentations and workshops

See the trunk contents (PDF) and engagement guide (PDF).

Packaging waste reduction learning trunk

The packaging waste reduction learning trunk will help educators illustrate how purchasing products with less packaging reduces waste and saves money.

The kits includes:

• Examples of low and high waste purchasing options
• Reusable options for lunches, coffee, and applesauce

See the trunk contents (PDF) and engagement guide for leading an adult activity (PDF), youth activity (PDF) or at events (PDF).

Reduce, reuse, recycle learning trunk

This learning trunk will help educators and community leaders explain the importance of recycling, reuse, and waste reduction. It focuses on the connections and interactions of society in our changing world.

The kit is contained in two plastic storage boxes and a poster tube. The learning trunk is recommended for all ages.

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle trunk includes:

• Items that can be recycled
• Examples from recycling manufacturers of what products look like during the recycling process
• Curriculum, activity guides and project ideas
• Books, posters and display signs
• DVDs and videos on the 3Rs for all ages

Full kit contents (PDF)

Recycling sorting activity

The recycling sorting activity is great for adult discussions on what can be recycled.

The activity includes two cloth bags filled with items you can or cannot recycle. A guide is attached to each bag with the answer key. This activity can spark some great discussions about recycling.

Full kit contents (PDF)

Make your own 

Save yourself the trip and create your own customized recycling sorting activity. Use one of the following guides to help you.

• Instructions for making your own beginner recycling sorting kit (PDF)
• Instructions for making your own advanced recycling sorting kit (PDF)

Recycled product learning trunk

This learning trunk will help educators and community leaders explain the importance of completing the loop by purchasing goods made from recycled products. It focuses on showing the variety of items available and their quality.

This kit is contained in one large plastic storage box and a poster tube. This learning trunk is recommended for ages 10 and older.

The learning trunk includes:

• Examples of what products look like during the recycling process
• Recycled products available on the market today
• Activity guides
• Books and posters
• DVDs and videos on recycling and buying recycled for most ages

Full kit contents (PDF)

Water quality game

The water quality game helps educators explain the importance of daily choices on water quality. This fun game gets participants moving and employs problem solving and innovative thinking in the learning process. 

The learning trunk includes:

• All game supplies including, predator puppets, cones, etc. See the trunk contents (PDF).
• Engagement guide to facilitate activity (PDF)

Every Drop water demonstration kit

The Every Drop water demonstration kit will help educators explain the importance and relative scarcity of accessible fresh water on Earth. 

The learning trunk includes:

• Inflatable globe
• Measuring cups and eyedropper tools
• Engagement guide to facilitate activity

For more information, see the trunk contents and engagement guide (PDF).

Your street connects to lakes and rivers display

The display demonstrates how pollutants carried with runoff from lawns, driveways and streets drain directly into lakes and rivers. Polluted runoff may include sediment, yard chemicals, automotive fluids, pet or farm animal waste, road salt, and other debris.

With this display, individuals place "pollution balls" down the storm drain and follow them as they enter the nearby lake or stream. Each "pollution ball" is labeled to represent 1 of 10 common sources on nonpoint source pollution. It is great to use at local neighborhood events, watershed festivals, or in classrooms.

Brick of cans

The brick of cans shows what happens when cans are crushed at a recycling center. The brick of cans would be a great used with one of the learning trunks listed above.

Recycled bowling game

The recycled bowling game is a great activity for kids. The game includes reused pop bottles as pins. The games comes with a handout on the importance of reusing and recycling and instruction for making your own game.

Guidelines for reserving learning trunks

• Trunks are available to group in Hennepin County only.
• An organization can check out only one trunk and one activity at a time. Trunks must be returned before another trunk can be checked out.
• Trunks can be checked out for 10 days at a time. ECFE programs can check out trunks for 16 days.
• Please report to the county if you find any items in the trunk to be missing or broken.

Trunks and displays from partners

Additional displays are available for reservation through Metro WaterShed Partners. Learn more and reserve here.

About the activity guides

The environmental education activity guides are intended to be used to engage audiences of all ages in learning about and taking action to protect the environment.

Activities are included on a variety of environmental topics. There are also a few general activities that could be applied to any environmental topic.

Each section includes background information to help educators and participants learn about the environmental issue. Each activity includes an introduction, recommended age group, estimated time requirement, outcomes and concepts to reinforce, supplies, preparation steps, procedure, discussion questions, additional activity ideas, and resources.

The activities have also been linked to state education standards. See the education standards matrix (PDF).

Download activities by section below, or download the entire activity guide package here (PDF).

Introduction and general activities

Learn how to use activity guides, tips for motivating behavior change and teaching outside, along with general environmental activities to do with your group.

Introduction and general activities (PDF)

Air, energy and climate change

Climate change is already noticeable in Minnesota. Animal and plant habitats are shifting, weather patterns are changing, and severe storms and droughts are becoming more common. If temperature readings and precipitation continue to increase within the next century, Minnesota might soon feel and look more like Missouri.

Background information and activities about air, energy and climate change (PDF)

Protecting land and water

Minnesota is known for its abundance of water and natural resources. Hennepin County has a diversity of landscapes and habitats ranging from formal gardens and urban parks to prairies, forests lakes, streams and wetlands. Natural resources provide critical habitat for wildlife, protect water quality, offer recreational opportunities and serve as the foundation to the region’s environmental well-being, economic prosperity and collective quality of life. Protecting the health of our natural resources is important for air and water quality, recreation, wildlife and tourism.

Background information and activities about protecting land and water (PDF)

Recycling

When you total up all the paper, plastic, aluminum and glass, Hennepin County recycles 580,000 tons each year. All of that recycling makes a big difference. By choosing to recycle, we reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, create jobs, conserve natural resources and protect the environment. Plus, recycling is simple, convenient and something the entire family can help with.

Background information and activities about recycling (PDF)

Reducing waste

More than one million tons of garbage is generated in Hennepin County every year. From packaging and junk mail to excess paint and food scraps – it takes a lot of time and money to deal with all of that waste. Waste reduction is any method used by a consumer or producer of a product to reduce the amount of solid waste that will require recycling, composting, incineration or disposal. In other words, if something is never created or you don’t buy it, you don’t have to decide how to reuse it or dispose of it.

Background information and activities about reducing waste (PDF)

Reducing food waste

As much as 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. for human consumption goes uneaten, and worldwide, one-third of food is wasted. About 36 million tons of food waste are generated in the United States each year. Food waste has increased significantly in recent years. Food waste per capita in the U.S. increased 50 percent from 1974 to 2009 according to the National Institute of Health.

Background information and activities about reducing food waste (PDF)

Toxicity and hazardous waste

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, only a fraction of registered chemicals have gone through complete testing for human health concerns. Some chemicals have immediate toxic effects. Others are toxic to our bodies only after repeated, long-term exposure. In addition, many products we use in our homes contain heavy metals or other hazardous materials that can pollute the environment if improperly disposed of.

Background information and activities about toxicity and hazardous waste (PDF)

Hennepin County offers a variety of training, networking and volunteer opportunities for educators to learn more about environmental issues and get experience working in the field.

Environmental education network meetings

Network meetings provide opportunities for to learn about environmental topics, share resources and project ideas, and network with fellow environmental educators. Meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public.

Celebrating networking accomplishments 

Held on Tuesday, December 7

Attendees participated in breakout groups for networking, idea sharing, and collaboration about best practices for virtual and hybrid programming, adapting programming and education strategies for cold weather this winter, and how our organizations are approaching requirements for participants and staff as we move toward 2022.

The meeting included the following slideshow showcasing successes and programs conducted by members of our network over the past year and a half. 

Connecting climate with community

Held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Our ability to address climate change relies, in part, on engaging different audiences in taking action. As Hennepin County prepared its Climate Action Plan, a group of Environment and Energy staff got up to speed on the latest national and international research into the public’s perception of climate issues. Learn what insights from research tell us about the public’s knowledge and attitudes about climate change, barriers and motivations to taking action, and effective messaging strategies.

Training resources

• Video recording of training (YouTube)
• Presentation slides (PDF)
• Connecting community and climate summary (PDF)

Wetland Health Evaluation Program

The Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) is an environmental monitoring program focused on assessing the condition and health of wetlands.

Teams of adult citizen scientist volunteers assess local wetlands by identifying and quantifying the biological communities of each site. Volunteers collect aquatic macroinvertebrates, such as insects, leeches, small crustaceans, and snails. Teams also inventory the wetland vegetation.

Monitoring macroinvertebrates and vegetation helps asses water quality because these communities are influenced by physical and chemical properties of wetlands. Some invertebrates and plants are more tolerant of pollution than others, and only certain species will flourish in healthy wetlands.

Learn more about getting involved.

Tree stewards

The tree steward program offers training classes and volunteer opportunities for adult residents interested in tree care.

Tree steward classes cover the basics of tree biology, tree planting, watering, pruning, and tree health through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on, outdoor field experience. Classes are offered in partnership with the University of Minnesota and host cities.

After completing the class, volunteers have opportunities to help plant and care for trees with the county and partnering organizations.

Learn more about tree stewards.

Master Recycler/Composters

Join fellow waste reduction enthusiasts and become an advocate for the three Rs in your community as a Hennepin County Master Recycler/Composter.

Master Recycler/Composters are trained on waste prevention, recycling and composting through an extensive six week course that features industry experts and field trips to local waste processing and recycling facilities.

Once training is complete, participants commit to volunteer 30 hours. Volunteer activities include staffing booths at events and designing and implementing waste reduction and recycling projects.

Learn more about Master Recyclers/Composters.

Tours

Brooklyn Park drop-off facility

Important note: due to preparation efforts for COVID-19, the county must postpone tours of BPTS until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. In place of a tour at BPTS, consider doing some of our Activity Guide activities to learn more about the topics typically covered in tours.

• Recycling activities (PDF)
• Organics recycling activities (PDF)
• Reducing waste activities (PDF)

Hennepin Energy Recovery Center: A waste-to-energy facility

Important note: due to preparation efforts for COVID-19, the county must postpone tours of HERC until further notice. Protecting the health of HERC’s operating staff is critical to maintaining our waste and energy infrastructure.

Field trip transportation

Field trip transportation is temporarily suspended

Important note: due to efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Hennepin County is not providing field trip transportation until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Sign up for Environmental education news to stay informed about when these resources will be available again.

Take an environmental education field trip with a county-provided bus service. To be eligible for the field trip, groups must have at least 25 participants age 7 and above, and the majority of participants must be Hennepin County residents. Eligible groups and organizations include schools, nonprofit organizations, community groups, youth groups, congregations, watershed districts, environmental clubs, and cities, located within Hennepin County.

Select a field trip location and activity that aligns well with the age group and interest of your audience and your educational goals. To more easily get approved for funding, select a field trip site and activity from our pre-approved list (PDF). You can go to field trip sites not listed in this document, but you will have to provide more details about the field trip location and activities and how they align with the county’s goals for this program.

Presentations

Important note: due to efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Hennepin County is only providing virtual presentations at this time.

Hennepin County Environment and Energy staff is available to attend events in the county and give presentations. Depending on the type of event, speakers can be experts on: waste reduction and recycling, water conservation, natural resource protection, toxicity reduction, and other topics.

Email environment@hennepin.us to schedule a presentation or environmental expert for your event.

Environmental education programs

River Watch

River Watch is a hands-on environmental education program for youth in Hennepin County. School classes or youth groups assess the health of local streams by identifying and quantifying the stream's biological community.

Youth collect macroinvertebrates (small aquatic organisms) from the stream and then identify them in a lab setting. Conclusions about the stream's water quality can be drawn based on the number and variety of organisms in the stream. All activities are conducted in a group setting with assistance from a Hennepin County River Watch educator.

Learn more and get involved.

Envirothon

The Envirothon is a problem-solving natural resources competition for high school and junior high school students that tests their knowledge of aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife. A metro area competition is held each spring.

During the event, teams of five students complete hands-on activities and give presentations on current environmental issues. The top three teams from the metro competition advance to the state Envirothon. Learn more about the Metro Envirothon.

Hennepin County provides funding to cover the registration fees and transportation costs for Envirothon teams. To request funding for entry fees or buses, contact Stacey Lijewski at stacey.lijewski@hennepin.us or call 612-348-9938.

Children's Water Festival

The annual Metro Area Children's Water Festival educates fourth-grade students about water resources and ways they can help ensure a future where both the quantity and quality of water resources are protected and managed wisely. The event brings 1,500 students from throughout the metro area to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for a one-day field trip at the end of September. Learn more about the water festival.

Environmental education grants

Hennepin County provides funding and support to organizations to actively educate, engage and motivate residents to become environmental stewards and make positive behavior changes through the Green Partners environmental education program.

We focus on actions to prevent waste, recycle, reduce household hazardous waste, conserve energy, care for trees, protect pollinators, and improve our air and water quality.