Listing of upcoming events

Nominations Deadline: 2010 Environmental Initiative Awards -
Mar 11, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
(map)

Spring is around the corner, which means MEI's annual Environmental Initiative Awards dinner can't be far off! The 2010 celebration will be held Thursday, May 27 at Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis. Each year, the Environmental Initiative Awards honor fifteen innovative projects that have harnessed the power of partnership to produce tangible, positive environmental outcomes in Minnesota. Award nominations in five different categories are now being accepted and self-nominations are welcome. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, March 12 at 5:00 p.m. Nominate a project or register for the event today!

Beekeeping in Northern Climes Short Course
Mar 12, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
U of M, St. Paul, MN (map)

For more info www.extension.umn.edu/Honeybees/components/publiccourses.htm; 612-624-4798

Ottawa Bluffs — brush removal
Mar 13, 2010 at 11:00 am (add this)
Ottawa Bluffs, Le Sueur County (map)

For information about Ottawa Bluffs workdays, contact the volunteer coordinator at (952) 200-6392.

River Market Community Co-op CSA Fair
Mar 13, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Stillwater, Minn. (map)

Contact: www.rivermarket.coop; 651-439 0366

"Re-localizing our Foodshed: Models and Methodologies in Cross-Disciplinary Research
Mar 15, 2010 at 10:00 am (add this)
Coffman Memorial Union on the East Bank Campus (map)

Increasing numbers of communities and institutions are calling for and initiating a substantial overhaul of the American food system. The shared vision for this rapidly growing movement reflects a commitment to vital rural communities, healthy landscapes and people, and a robust food culture and agriculture that is more regionally based, sustainable in practice and intimate in scale. This symposium will convene faculty, staff and students from north central academic institutions with visiting experts and community partners to discuss novel models and methodologies to meet public needs associated with redesigning our food system, with a special focus on foodshed analysis and food systems planning. Researchers from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa are invited to attend and network with their colleagues at neighboring institutions. For more information and to register please visit www.regionalpartnerships.umn.edu or www.hfhl.umn.edu.

Course and House Tour: Go Green! Construction of the Future
Mar 15, 2010 at 11:30 am (add this)
Ridgewater College Willmar Campus 2101 15th Avenue NW Willmar, MN 56201 (map)

Discover how the LEED system works in commercial and residential construction, and how it has been implemented in the LEED Demonstration Home now under construction in Willmar. (Also offered March 5th.) 11:30 Presentation with lunch 12:15 Q & A 12:30 Tour of home, transportation provided 1:00 Closing Remarks Registration fee: $10, including lunch REGISTRATION To register, visit www.ridgewater.edu or call 800-722-1151 ext. 5213. For more information, see attached flyer or contact Jill Gould at tel. 320-222-6066 or email jill.gould@ridgewater.edu For Regional Commercial and Residential Builders: Tour a distinctive “Prairie Style” design house with low roof slopes and wide overhangs to eliminate hot, summer heat. See how two large solar roof panels provide domestic hot water heating and assist in the in-floor slab heating on the lower level. Explore the innovative, high-tech capabilities in the cooling and heating of the interior environment, including an air source heat pump and air-to-air heat exchanger. See how an open interior plan works with abundant natural lighting and efficient compact fluorescent and LED lighting. PRESENTER: Jeff Nagel, Green Lyfe Green Lyfe, LLC, a company of three local architects, is building a LEED Demonstration Home in Willmar, in partnership with Ridgewater College. This project is designed to use regional technologies that promote green, sustainable, renewable and recyclable materials and systems. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a program of the US Green Building Council to guide building practices toward more responsible construction. The Carpentry and Electrician programs of Ridgewater College have received an $80,000 WIRED grant through the Minnesota Renewable Energy Marketplace. It is a federal initiative targeted at boosting the country’s economy with regional economic development partnerships and workforce education and training.

Community Wind Forum in Mapleton
Mar 15, 2010 at 6:00 pm (add this)
Town and Country Leisure Center Mapleton, MN (map)

R9 Renewable Energy Task Force will be hosting a Community Wind Forum in Mapleton on Monday, March 15th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Town and Country Leisure Center in Mapleton. This Forum is open to any person interested in learning about creating a local community wind development project. The Forum highlights will include models of successful community wind projects and the legalities and economics of developing a community wind project. See attached flyer for more details. Please RSVP to Sarah at sarah@rndc.org or (507)389-8880.

Native Plants, Rain Gardens and Lawn Care for Water Quality
Mar 16, 2010 at 6:30 pm (add this)
Ramsey Junior High, St. Paul (map)

Home lawn and garden practices significantly impact the health of the Mississippi River. In this brief but informative FMR workshop, learn how you can become part of the solution, and perhaps even reduce your water bills as you improve the health of our watershed and ecosystem. This workshop takes a how-to approach, suggests local resources and quickly covers the most relevant information so you can begin taking steps to protect water quality. We will discuss: • landscaping with native plant species, • the proper use of lawn fertilizer, • rain barrels, • backyard composting, • soil testing, • creating a rain garden, and • more innovative approaches to managing stormwater. To register This presentation is being given by Friends of the Mississippi River through St. Paul Public Schools Community Education. -- There is a $10 registration fee and pre-registration (and pre-payment) is required, and early registration is highly encouraged as capacity is limited. -- Online registration and payment is easy and begins Dec. 31, 2009 through the community education class listing. -- Phone registration is also available at 651-293-8874, weekdays 9 am-3 pm. You will need your credit card and the course number: 6720-S10HA. Please note that registration is not being taken by FMR, and Community Ed does NOT send confirmation or reminder materials. Questions? If you have questions about registration, Community Education can be reached after January 9, 9 am-3pm at 651-293-8874. If you have questions about the workshop itself, instructor and FMR River Stewardship Coordinator Karen Solas can be reached at ksolas[at]fmr.org.

Feeding Your Community One Tomato at a Time: Marketing Strategies and Options
Mar 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Augsburg College Science Bldg – room 123, 2211 Riverside Ave S, Minneapolis, MN (map)

Producing food crops for sale is only one half of the equation. Successfully marketing your crops is what will make your growing endeavors worthwhile financially. We will consider a wide variety of marketing avenues looking at everything from Farmers’ Markets to CSAs to Wholesale options plus a few think outside of the box ideas. Each marketing option requires different skills and time commitments. We will uncover the pros and cons to each so that you can figure out which marketing options will work best in your system. Go to the PRI Cold Climate website to reserve a seat. The 2010 PRI Urban Farming Workshops; classes taught by Courtney Tchida.

LSP's Farm Beginnings Tune-Up Workshop
Mar 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
St. Cloud, MN (map)

Record Keeping. For more info contact Nick Olson at LSP 320-269-2105 or nicko@landstewardshipproject.org

Longfellow Sustainable Yards Workshops
Mar 20, 2010 at 10:00 am (add this)
Sanford Middle School 3524 42nd Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55406 (map)

Hello! The Longfellow Community Council is hosting a series of workshop on sustainable practices for your yards and gardens. Workshop topics will include: Rain Gardens Landscaping with Native Plant Species Composting Fruit Trees and Shrubs Vegetable Gardening At the event, you can also learn what's behind the City's stomwater fees and Do and Don't of boulevard planting. Light refreshments will be provided. ALL are welcome! Longfellow residents are eligible to save energy, water and time with an array of door prizes - such as rain barrels, compost bins, native plants, fruit trees, green cleaning products, low-flow shower heads and MORE! The event is FREE, but please click on the link below to RSVP: Register Now! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Thanks so much! Kim Jakus Longfellow Community Council kim@longfellow.org 612-722-4529 x 5

Weaver Dunes — brush removal
Mar 20, 2010 at 10:00 am (add this)
Weaver Dunes, Wabasha County, near Kellogg (map)

For information about Weaver Dunes workdays, contact the workday coordinator at (507) 289-3959

Ski/Snowshoe Western Minnesota
Mar 20, 2010 at 1:00 pm (add this)
CURE Office—117 South 1st St., Montevideo, MN (map)

Outing - Saturday, March 20 at 1:00PM Meet at CURE Office—117 South 1st St., Montevideo, MN Depending on the weather, we will either ski/snowshoe at Lac qui Parle State Park, or hike at the Blue Devil Nature Conservancy area. Bring waterproof boots and binoculars. Contact Kay Slama at slama@morris.umn.edu to RSVP. Contact Information: North Star Chapter Kay Slama via e-mail slama@morris.umn.edu

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Annual Meeting
Mar 20, 2010 at 3:00 pm (add this)
The Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom 5418 Wayzata Boulevard Golden Valley, MN 55416 (map)

Cost: $35 per person or $105 for a table of 5 or $315 for a table of 10 Please R.S.V.P. by March 12, 2010 to 612-332-9630 or sacha@friends-bwca.org Agenda 3:00 p.m. Hors d’ourves 4:15 p.m. State of the Wilderness Report: Jim Sanders, Forest Supervisor, Superior National Forest State of the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Paul Danicic, Executive Director 5:00 p.m. Annual Conservation Award winners presentation Bob and Pat Tammen 5:15 p.m. Keynote speaker, Doug Woods, Author of Paddle Whispers and Old Turtle

Local Food Event for Chefs 3/22/10 at the Craftsman
Mar 22, 2010 at 10:30 am (add this)
The Craftsman Restaurant 4300 E. Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55406 (map)

Thanks to Michelle Obama and other visible local food supporters, demand for locally grown food is booming. Farmers markets, CSA farms, and farm-to-school programs in our city’s schools are all expanding. Additionally, customers across the state are increasingly looking for locally grown foods at their favorite restaurants and coffee shops. Chefs across the state support locally grown food – as a way to bolster our local economy and bring tastier, fresher, and healthier food to their customers. To answer questions like – How do you plan a menu based on seasonal ingredients? What about rules or laws about buying directly from a farmer? Where do I find farmers? - The Heartland Food Network is sponsoring a workshop for chefs to provide practical tips and resources for working with local food in their kitchens. For more information and to register go to http://minnesotaproject.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/local-food-event-for-chefs-32210-at-the-craftsman/

Forum of Women in the Environmental Field Networking Event
Mar 24, 2010 at 5:30 pm (add this)
Hamline University – Sorin A & B (Sorin Dining Hall) (map)

The Forum of Women in the Environmental Field asks you to join us to learn about jobs in a variety of businesses, meet people at these organizations and see how various positions are related to the environment. Need help with your resumes or how to network or just need ideas? Board members will be at the ready to help you. Come and talk to people who have found jobs in the environmental field and see how we did it! In fact, some of us actually found jobs by networking at the FWEF events! A light dinner will be served. Co-hosted by the Center for Global Environmental Education at Hamline University! Location: Hamline University – Sorin A & B (Sorin Dining Hall) $12 for students and members, $18 for non-members. Register today! Walk-in registrations are charged $2 more! Register now! Register for this event at www.fwef.org by 5pm Monday, March 22, 2010 to avoid a walk up fee!

Workshop on energy efficiency and green living for first time homeowners
Mar 24, 2010 at 6:00 pm (add this)
3001 Fourth Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (map)

Workshop on energy efficiency and green living for first time homeowners, co-hosted by the Green Institute, the City of Minneapolis and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. The workshop will cover appliances, heating and cooling, water usage, moisture control and sustainable living. Information on local resources that complement the program and address the needs of this audience will be provided at the end, including low cost conservation products, multi-lingual guides to reading bills and permit applications, up-to-date rebates and incentives, carbon reduction resource sheets, etc. Thursday, March 24, 6-8 PM, 3001 Fourth Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. RSVP to Cristen Porter (cristen.porter@tchabitat.org 612.305.7261). Workshop is free and refreshments are provided.

Wetland Summit
Mar 25, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
TBA (map)

TBD

Agriculture and Water Summit 2010: Keeping Water on the Land for Conservation and Production: 5th Edition Wetlands Summit
Mar 27, 2010 at 8:30 am (add this)
Normandale Community College (map)

Join us for an informative and engaging summit where we will dive into the issue of water management in agriculture. The conversation will bring together farmers, researchers, conservationists, students, and anyone interested in working together to acquire and use the array of tools we need to protect water and ensure productive farms. Interactive presentations on emerging solutions, on-the-ground actions, and ways to become involved will drive the forward-looking discussion. Included is a special Luncheon keynote presentation from the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment Director Jon Foley identifying the “The Other Inconvenient Truth” regarding our need to feed a growing world population while protecting the land and water resources required to sustain the planet. Additional information and registration materials are attached or go to http://www.minnesotaikes.org.

Brush Removal at Ottawa Bluffs with the Nature Conservancy
Mar 27, 2010 at 10:00 am (add this)
Weaver Dunes, Wabasha County, near Kellogg (map)

Join the Nature Conservancy for a day to help the Weaver Dunes. For more information about volunteering, call the Conservancy at 612-331-0762 or email mnvolunteer@tnc.org to sign up for the monthly volunteer e-newsletter.

Lower Your Carbon Food Print at the First Annual Vegan Chili Cook-off
Mar 27, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Fast and Furless, 2615 East Franklin Ave Minneapolis, MN (map)

Get Cookin’, Y’All! First Annual Vegan Chili Cook-off Join Do It Green! Minnesota at the cook-off and visit its Lower Your Carbon Food Print display and pick up a wallet card to take to the grocery store! Warm up on a “chilly” spring day at the First Annual Vegan Chili Cook-off on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 7 to 9 pm at Fast and Furless vegan emporium, 2615 East Franklin Avenue in the Seward neighborhood of Southeast Minneapolis. Hosted by Fast and Furless, Compassionate Action for Animals and Do It Green! Minnesota. A chili lover’s paradise is guaranteed to spice up all who join in on a crisp spring day. Attendees will sample a delicious variety of vegan chili recipes prepared by 12 local amateur cooks and vote for their favorite. First prize is a $100 gift certificate to Fast and Furless! Beer, cornbread and nonalcoholic beverages will be available. Do It Green! Minnesota’s Eco Wiggle (a fun new version of Twister) will also be on hand for those who would like to play. The cost to enter the cook-off is $15 for students and $25 for non-students. Enter the Chili contest at the link below: http://www.exploreveg.org/events/vegan-chili-cook-off

Understanding Solar and Electricity Usage in your Home for Women
Mar 28, 2010 at 10:00 am (add this)
City Academy/Wilder Recreation Center 958 Jessie Street St Paul (map)

$50.00 for members $70.00 for non-members Carol Weis will discuss with the class utility bills, energy use, simple load analysis and efficiency efforts people could do in their homes today in order to reduce the size of the solar system they would need. We will do a rough look at how much PV each person would need on their house. We encourage people to bring their last 12 months of electric utility bills. We hope people will leave knowing what efficiency measures they could take, what size system they would roughly need at todays bills, what a solar PV system would roughly cost them and how they can reduce system size through efficiency. The first 20 people to sign up will receive free access to the Enhanced Learning Network (ELN), the Energy Auditor Series for one week after the class. This online learning environment highlights energy efficiency, building related math exercises, critical energy calculations and analyzing annual energy costs would align nicely with training objectives. This will be a women focused class taught by Carol Weis from SEI (Solar Energy International) located in Colorado. She is also the co-founder of SEI's Solar Sisters, which we hope to establish a branch of here in Minnesota. This is our second class that is part of MRES's efforts to bring women into renewable energy more. We will register women only first. We will create a waiting list for the gentlemen and allow them into the class as space permits, but we will be making sure the class is majority women attended. Please email Laura Cina at laurac@mnrenewables.org to be put on the waiting list or call 612-963-4757.

Aveda Institute Cut-a-thon
Mar 28, 2010 at 11:00 am (add this)
Aveda Institute Minneapolis, 400 Central Avenue SE, Minneapolis MN 55414 (map)

Join us for the Annual Aveda Midwest Earth Month Cut-a-Thon and Spa-a-Thon at the Aveda Institute Minneapolis. All proceeds go to Audubon Minnesota's work to protect clean water. Where and When: Aveda Institute Minneapolis, 400 Central Avenue SE, Minneapolis MN 55414 Sunday, March 28, 2010 Appointments available from 11 am to 3 pm. To make an appointment, call 1-800-447-7808 or email. Services offered: Hair cut: $25 One step color: $35 Partial foil: $40 Massage: $45 Facial: $40 Express manicure: $15 Brow waxing: $10 Lip waxing: $10 Help make Minnesota's water clean and healthy for birds and people. Make your appointment today!

Audubon Minnesota Bird Seed Sale
Mar 31, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
(map)

Don't disappoint Minnesota's birds! Stock up for backyard bird feeding during our spring bird seed sale. Ninety-five cents of every dollar raised during this fundraiser supports Audubon's bird and habitat conservation programs throughout the state. Order by April 23 for pickup on May 15, 2010. Order forms will be on our web site April 1, 2010. This fundraiser is made possible through the generosity of Performance Seed, St. Cloud MN.

Free showing of the film The Read Dirt on Farmer John
Apr 1, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Bell Museum, U of M, Minneapolis, MN (map)

Free showing of the film The Real Dirt on Farmer John
Apr 1, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Bell Museum, U of M, Minneapolis, MN (map)

Prairie Chicken Booming at Bluestem Prairie
Apr 2, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Bluestem Prairie Blinds (map)

Time: Sunrise Visitors can watch male prairie chickens court the females. They stamp their feet while puffing their black, tan and white plumage and emitting eerie “booming” sounds from the orange and yellow, scarlet-fringed air sacs on the side of their necks—all to attract the attention of the females. The Nature Conservancy will provide viewing blinds and a map to help you watch the prairie chickens. The best time to see dancing is in the morning. Reservations: Reservations required. Contact Sonia Winter at (218) 498-2679 or or swinter@tnc.org. Location: Bluestem Prairie Blinds Directions From Moorhead, drive east about 14 miles on U.S. Highway 10 to the intersection with MN Highway 9. Turn south and travel for 1.5 miles and then turn east on 17th Avenue South and continue for 1.5 miles. Park in the lot on the north side of the road. To reach another parking area on the southeastern edge of the preserve, continue south on Highway 9 to Clay County Highway 12. Turn east and drive for about 3.5 miles. Nearest services are in Moorhead, Glyndon, Hawley and Buffalo River State Park.

Beekeeping in Northern Climes Short Course
Apr 2, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
U of M, St. Paul, Mn (map)

for more info www.extension.umn.edu/Honeybees/components/publiccourses.htm; 612-624-4798

Urban Soils Workshop
Apr 3, 2010 at 9:00 am (add this)
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), 2501 Stevens Avenue, Minneapolis (map)

We're repeating our popular Urban Soils Workshop this Spring! This is a hands-on workshop covering the basics of urban soils on residential lots. Bring a bucket of soil from your yard. We'll explore soil texture and structure and why they are important, along with methods of improving your soil's capacity to support life. Soil health determines plant health. Learn how to build the infrastructure for a healthy, productive garden. nstructors: Cheryl Feigum, PhD Soils Science and Fred Rozumalski, Landscape Ecologist and Horticulturist. Materials: Bring a bucket of soil! Cost: $25.00 - class size limited and advance registration required. Get more info and register at http://www.pricoldclimate.org/event/urban_soils_workshop_0. This course is sponsored by Permaculture Research Institute - Cold Climate. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn at comcoord@pricoldclimate.org.

Food films to be screened at NPHW Film Festival
Apr 7, 2010 at 5:00 pm (add this)
Coffman Memorial Union Theater, U of MN (map)

· School Lunch: What Parents Should Know about Food and Fitness at School, about the nutrition problem in lunches at Minnesota public schools · Food Fight, a closer look at how American agricultural policy and food culture developed in the 20th century and how the California food movement created a counter-revolution against big agribusiness The films will be shown as part of the National Public Health Week Film Festival, April 5-9, hosted by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. There will be free admission and beverages. The Campus Club will provide free local, organic appetizers for all film goers. Doors will open at 5 p.m. daily with expert introductions and films starting at 5:30 p.m. A panel of experts will provide post-film discussion and answer audience questions. To learn more about the April 7th food-themed evening, view the film schedule, and promotions, go to www.sph.umn.edu/filmfest.