VOLUNTEER - Minnesota Environmental Fund

volunteer

Get involved! Keep an eye on the Minnesota Environmental Fund's Volunteer Opportunities calendar. There are a variety of ways for you and your friends and family to get involved with local environmental organizations. Volunteer opportunities and events are updated regularly.

Here are some volunteer activities:

Community Energy Services Workshop
Feb 23, 2012 at 6:30 pm (add this)
Southwest High School (map)

Come learn more about the Community Energy Services program and how to reduce energy waste in your home at this free presentation! We always provide coffee, cookies and free childcare. You will also have the chance to schedule your home energy visit from our energy experts. The presentation will start promptly at 6:30pm and typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour long.http://www.mnenergychallenge.org/Community-Energy-Services/Sign-Up-for-CES.aspx

Presentation: Do trees affect nesting success in grasslands?
Feb 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Visitor Center (map)

Sarah Thompson, Conservation Biology Department, University of Minnesota, will talk about her research examining the role of trees in grasslands. Do trees cause songbirds to avoid otherwise suitable grassland habitat? Do waterfowl have lower nest success when they nest near tree groves or shelterbelts? Is tree removal an effective way to create better grassland habitat. She is working to answer these questions in conjunction with the Morris Wetland Management District in western Minnesota.

Leap Year Lopper with Three Rivers Park District
Feb 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm (add this)
North Mississippi Regional Park (map)

Free Family Funday: Leap Year Lopper Drop in anytime. Bunny, rabbit, hare or cottontail! Regardless of what you call them, you know them and have seen them! Over half of the world's rabbit population lives in North America, so celebrate the rabbit AND leap year by hopping over and spending your day meeting, acting like, and getting to know this furry Minnesota neighbor. Free.

MPIRG/YEA!MN Lobby Day
Feb 28, 2012 at 9:00 am (add this)
MN State Capitol (map)

Teachers/chaperones and students grades 6-12 are invited to join us as we participate in and learn about an important aspect of our political process. Participants will have the opportunity to be trained on lobbying and on the particular issues they are interested in lobbying for, meet other youth activists who are working toward a more environmentally sustainable Minnesota, and lobby in the capitol building in front of a legislator. Questions? Contact: Joe Kruse, YEA!MN Coordinator, Will Steger Foundation 608-386-0509, joe@willstegerfoundation.org

Putting the "Fun" Back in "Infrastructure": The electric system and the future of energy
Feb 29, 2012 at 12:00 pm (add this)
IonE Seminar Room R380, Learning & Environmental Sciences Bldg., St. Paul (map)

Presenter: Maggie Koerth-Baker, Science Editor, BoingBoing.net and author of Before the Lights Go Out: Conquering the Energy Crisis Before it Conquers Us Electricity just happens. Flip a switch, and the lights turn on. The system is reliable enough and invisible enough that it's easy to spend your entire life not knowing how it works, even though you use it every day. But in an age of limited resources and climate change, ignoring our electric infrastructure is a luxury we can no longer afford. The good news: Infrastructure is fascinating. Maggie Koerth-Baker explains how our flawed and surprisingly precarious electric system evolved, how it controls what we can and can't do to solve our energy crisis today, and what we can learn about the future of energy by studying its past. --

Business & Environment Summit
Feb 29, 2012 at 5:00 pm (add this)
Summit Brewery, 910 Montreal Circle, St. Paul (map)

Join past attendees, friends and partners at the Summit Brewery for the first ever Business & Environment Summit. We'll share drinks and appetizers, celebrate four years and look ahead to 2012 and beyond. A short program will allow us to: •revisit topics we've covered over the past four years •share takeaways and hear what you've implemented •discuss challenges and areas where you need more information and resources •talk about what's on the horizon Registration will remain open until Thursday, February 23, and is $10 for members, or $15 for non-members. Questions? Contact Ellen Gibson at (612) 334-3388, ext. 101.

Community Energy Services Workshop
Mar 1, 2012 at 6:30 pm (add this)
Andersen United Community School (map)

Come learn more about the Community Energy Services program and how to reduce energy waste in your home at this free presentation! We always provide coffee, cookies and free childcare. You will also have the chance to schedule your home energy visit from our energy experts. The presentation will start promptly at 6:30pm and typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour long.http://www.mnenergychallenge.org/Community-Energy-Services/Sign-Up-for-CES.aspx

Solar Works! workshop in Woodbury
Mar 1, 2012 at 6:30 pm (add this)
Woodbury City Hall, Council Chambers, 8301 Valley Creek Road (map)

Attend a FREE workshop to: •Learn the basics of solar energy •Hear from a panel of people who have had solar installed on their home or business •Find out about incentives and rebates for installing solar •Get resources to start your solar energy project For more information, contact: Diana McKeown, Metro Clean Energy Resource Team dianam@CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org ; 612-455-9172

lecture, “Investing in Sustainability: Building Water Stewardship Into the Bottom Line,”
Mar 1, 2012 at 7:00 pm (add this)
St. Paul Student Center Theater, University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus (map)

Mindy Lubber, an international leader in efforts by investors to lead and pressure multinational companies to adopt environmentally sustainable business practices, will deliver a free, public lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1, in St. Paul. The lecture will explore what firms are doing – and need to do more of – to make their products and processes more water-efficient and less vulnerable to climate change. To register visit http://freshwater.org/2012Lubber/

Conserving Tropical Forests from the Ground Up
Mar 7, 2012 at 12:00 pm (add this)
IonE Seminar Room R380, Learning & Environmental Sciences Bldg., St. Paul (map)

Presenter: Jennifer Powers, IonE Resident Fellow and Assistant Professor in the Departments of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior and Plant Biology, University of Minnesota The tremendous biodiversity found in National Parks in tropical countries such as Costa Rica attracts ecologists and biologists from all over the world. The managers of these conserved wildlands often operate with shoe-string budgets and do not have an explicit mandate to facilitate international research. This results in many missed opportunities. For example, researchers often generate useful data for conservation, but these data fail to reach Park managers. How can we better connect academic research carried out by international scientists, education, and conservation in tropical Parks and Conservations Areas? Powers will discuss a personal perspective on how ecological research can be used to support conservation goals.

Uncommon Facts About Common Birds
Mar 8, 2012 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Fairview Community Center, 1910 W. County Road B, Roseville (map)

Join Audubon Minnesota and Stan Tekiela, naturalist/photographer to learn Uncommon Facts About Common Birds

Sierra Club - New member & Volunteer night
Mar 13, 2012 at 5:00 pm (add this)
2327 E Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55406 (map)

Have you been looking to get involved in the Sierra Club, but don't know how? Attend one of their New Member and Volunteer Nights and learn about the variety of ways you can get involved in the Sierra Club in Minnesota! They will start the night with a brief overview of the chapter's conservation work, outdoor activities, and other volunteer opportunities, and then spend an hour or so helping active volunteers with a critical environmental action that month (i.e. writing letters to the editor, inviting members to an event, etc.) This is your best starting point if you want to learn how to get active!

Film: Revenge of the Electric Car
Mar 19, 2012 at 6:00 pm (add this)
Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul (map)

Filmmaker Chris Paine takes his film crew behind the closed doors of Nissan, GM, and the Silicon Valley start-up Tesla Motors to chronicle the story of the global resurgence of electric cars. Without using a single drop of foreign oil, this new generation of car is America’s future: fast, furious, and cleaner than ever. Moderator: David Gillette, Twin Cities Public Television Panelists: Jukka Kukkonen, Plug In Connect, and others TBA This is film is showing as part of the Community Cinema at the Library series.

Preparing Students to Grow a New Agriculture: Experimental Curricula at the University of Minnesota
Mar 21, 2012 at 11:00 am (add this)
IonE Seminar Room R380, Learning & Environmental Sciences Bldg., St. Paul (map)

Presenter: Nick Jordan, IonE Resident Fellow and Professor of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota New innovation systems are needed to help agriculture meet its ‘grand challenges’. These systems must integrate the major streams of discovery in agricultural bioscience (biotechnologies and agroecotechnologies) and engage this and other research with private enterprise, civil society and government sectors. The goal is to develop new agricultural systems that meet high standards for performance in economic, social and environmental terms.

Solar Works in Central MN! Workshop & Resource Fair
Mar 28, 2012 at 12:00 pm (add this)
Riverside Park, 1800 Kilian Boulevard, Saint Cloud, MN 56301 (map)

Have you been wondering if solar power could be a good fit for you? Then this workshop and resource fair will be the perfect opportunity for you to learn from those who have solar projects on their homes and businesses, as well as manufacturers. You’ll also be able to connect with experts serving Central MN that can talk to you more about your site, specific technologies, financing options, and your solar resource. Register online at http://solarworkscentral.eventbrite.com or call 612-626-0555

“Cradle-to-Cradle” – A Design Concept whose Time has Come?
Apr 4, 2012 at 11:00 am (add this)
IonE Seminar Room R380, Learning & Environmental Sciences Bldg., St. Paul (map)

Presenter: Chuck Bennett, Vice President of Earth & Community Care, Aveda Ten years ago Michael Braungart and William McDonough published their book “Cradle-to-Cradle, Remaking the Way We Make Things,” in which they outline a holistic economic, industrial and social framework that seeks to create systems that are not just efficient, but essentially waste free. The concept is a biomimetic approach to the design of systems, modeling human industry after nature's processes, and suggesting that industry must protect and enrich ecosystems and nature's biological metabolism while also maintaining safe and productive technical metabolisms for the high-quality use of organic and manufactured materials

Fight the Power(point)!
Apr 11, 2012 at 11:00 am (add this)
IonE Seminar Room R380, Learning & Environmental Sciences Bldg., St. Paul (map)

Presenter: Todd Reubold, Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Institute on the Environment We’ve all been there, sitting in a darkened room while slide after slide flashes by thinking, “There has to be a better way!” Guess what? There is! We no longer have to suffer death by PowerPoint. In this informative and slightly irreverent talk, Todd will discuss some of the most common presentation mistakes along with tips for putting together a superstar talk. He’ll also peer into the crystal projector and share some thoughts on the future of scientific presentations and the importance of communicating science.

City of St. Paul Annual Citywide Cleanup
Apr 14, 2012 at 7:30 am (add this)
St. Paul (map)

Without the help of volunteers, trash accumulates in many areas, polluting lakes, rivers, and detracting from the beauty of our community. This event is a fun and effective way to improve our natural environment while also contributing to the overall beautification of Saint Paul. Citywide Spring Cleanup Kickoff Sites: Como Lakeside Pavilion (1360 N Lexington Pkwy) Harriet Island Pavilion (200 Dr Justus Ohage Blvd) Highland Pavilion (1200 Montreal Ave) Phalen Pavilion (1600 Phalen Dr) Coffee and Donuts will be provided at each location along with a chance to win some awesome prizes. For more information, please email Andy.Rodriguez@StPaul.Gov or call 651.632.2411.

Solar Works! workshop in Minneapolis
Apr 15, 2012 at 8:30 am (add this)
Mayflower Church, 106 Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis (map)

Attend a FREE workshop to: •Learn the basics of solar energy •Hear from a panel of people who have had solar installed on their home or business •Find out about incentives and rebates for installing solar •Get resources to start your solar energy project For more information, contact: Diana McKeown, Metro Clean Energy Resource Team dianam@CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org 612-455-9172

Can We Feed the World, and Sustain the Planet?
Apr 18, 2012 at 11:00 am (add this)
IonE Seminar Room R380, Learning & Environmental Sciences Bldg., St. Paul (map)

Presenter: Jon Foley, Director, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota In the coming years, continued population growth, rising personal wealth, increasing meat and dairy consumption, and expanding biofuel use will place unprecedented demands on the world’s agriculture and natural resources. These pressures are already overwhelming parts of the system: an estimated one billion people are chronically hungry and current agricultural practices are taking a major toll on biodiversity, land and water resources, and greenhouse gas concentrations. Humanity therefore faces the dual challenge of meeting growing agricultural demands while simultaneously reducing damage to global environmental systems. While the gravity of these twin challenges is enormous, recent analyses point to opportunities to increase global food delivery and dramatically reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture.

Metro CERT Spring Resource & Networking event
Apr 18, 2012 at 3:00 pm (add this)
Hiawatha Public Works Building (map)

Join Metro CERT affiliates, partners & friends to celebrate our 5th year of connecting communities to resources! Hear about our work and exciting energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and find out how you can work to reduce your energy footprint. Program will be followed by a tour, refreshments and networking! Register online at http://metrocertannual.eventbrite.com

Earth Day in the City: Minneapolis Watershed Cleanup
Apr 21, 2012 at 8:30 am (add this)
E. 36th St. & E. 44th St. at W. River Pkwy, Mississippi River Gorge (map)

s cleanup is an Earth Day tradition in the Minneapolis River Gorge. People come from throughout the local river corridor neighborhoods and metro area — through churches, corporations and classes — to contribute to the health and vitality of the Mississippi River Watershed. Visit http://www.fmr.org/participate/events/earth_day_cleanup-2012-04-21

Environmental Issues Surrounding the Regulation and Commercialization of Agricultural Biotechnology
Apr 25, 2012 at 11:00 am (add this)
IonE Seminar Room R380, Learning & Environmental Sciences Bldg., St. Paul (map)

Presenter: Greg Jaffe, Director of the Biotechnology Project, Center for Science in the Public Interest Are genetically engineered crops and animals as risky as some people claim? Will they solve the world's agricultural constraints and lead to more sustainability? Greg Jaffe will summarize the benefits and risks of this technology during the last decade and give his insight into the environmental challenges and issues that face these products in the coming years. He will critique the US regulatory system and challenge policymakers to translate scientific concerns into policy decisions that allow safe products to be commercialized and the environment to be protected. ---

Environmental Initiative Awards Dinner
May 24, 2012 at 4:30 pm (add this)
Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis (map)

Attend the event and be one of the first to learn who has won a prestigeous Environmental Initiative Award. All winning projects are collaborative, partnership-based and have achieved positive environmental outcomes for Minnesota. http://www.environmental-initiative.org/projects/environmental-initiative-awards

Will Steger Foundation’s 7th Annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
Aug 6, 2012 at 6:00 pm (add this)
School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN (map)

Grades 3-12 formal and informal educators will receive training on and a copy of our revised, interdisciplinary and standards-based Minnesota’s Changing Climate curriculum and online classroom. Those who have already received this training will have the opportunity to attend more in-depth sessions and learn about new activities to include in their teaching. Please contact Ann Benson, ann@willstegerfoundation.org with any questions.