Education and the environment
In St. Louis Park we value education and the environment. We provide education through our Parks & Recreation Programs, our Westwood Hills Nature Center and the speakers' bureau listed below.

Westwood Hills Nature Center. Contact staff at the Nature Center at 952-924-2544.

Jim Vaughan, Environmental Coordinator, is available to speak to groups and in classrooms regarding a variety of topics, such as invasive species, landscaping, shoreline restoration, trees, storm water, clean water, ecological footprints, conservation and erosion control. Contact Jim at jvaughan@stlouispark.org

Scott Anderson, Utilities Superintendent, is available to speak to groups and in classrooms regarding drinking water and storm water. Contact Scott at sanderson@stlouispark.org

To add environmental education links to this list, please email us at pworks@stlouispark.org.

•  Aluminum Can Recycling
•  Conservation Related Links
•  Erosion Control
•  Erosion Control Blankets
•  Fishing Tackle
•  Green Business Program
•  Mosquito Control
•  NextStep Sustainable
•  Planet Green Game
•  Post Carbon Institute
•  Protect children from diesel fumes
•  Recycle City
•  Recycle Guys!
•  Resources
•  Sunday Energy
•  Teachers
•  Teen Recycling
•  The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
•  Waste Reduction Activity Kit for Schools
•  Water Science for Schools

Aluminum Cans
Download curriculums for various age groups around recycling the aluminum can that include fun classroom games, facts and more. For more information go to Can Central.

Conservation Related Links

• American Council for Energy Efficient Economy
• Biodiesel Resource
• The Conservation Fund
• Conservation International
• Coral Reef Alliance
• Go Zero Calculator
• Green Fleet
• Living Green 365 Newsletter
•  MN Environmental Magazine
• The Reuse Center
• Vanity Fair Green Issue

Erosion Control
During the process of land disturbance, sediment travels via wind, rain, streets, and equipment into the storm sewers and ends up in the nearby surface water (lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands). Erosion control is required to keep the surrounding water as clean as possible during the project. If you are disturbing the soil at all on your property (landscaping project, for example), be sure to keep it on your property. Prevent it from reaching the street and our storm sewer system.

For more information about erosion control, click here.

Erosion Control Blankets
Blankets needs to be used when you have exposed soil to contain it on the site and prevent it from spilling into the storm water or catch basin. Click here for more information.

Get the Lead Out!
Click here for more information about how to get the lead out and participate in the tackle exchange.

Anglers who bring in lead sinkers and jigs to a Hennepin County Drop-off Facility can receive a sample of lead-free alternatives at no charge. The facilities are located at 1400 W. 96th St., in Bloomington; and 8100 Jefferson Highway, in Brooklyn Park. The samples are available while supplies last.

For more information on the drop-off facilities go to Drop Off Facilities, or call Hennepin County Environmental Services at (612) 348-3777. The lead-free tackle promotion is a part of a program sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Natural Resources. 

Green Business Program & Awards
Our businesses have an impact on the environment just as you do. The St. Louis Park Green Business Program promotes and recognizes local businesses that make environmentally friendly choices in managing their resources, such as recycling waste, reducing packaging, or reuse of materials. This program is sponsored by the City of St. Louis Park and Waste Management and was initiated by a grant from Keep America Beautiful in 2006.

Current Green Businesses include: Brent's Signs, Commercial Furniture, Flextech, Grossman Design, Hoigaard's, Linsk Flowers, Nordic Ware, Phoenix Process Consultants and Torah Academy.

Complete and send the application to the city. 2007 awards have been determined and were given during the December 3, 2007 City Council meeting to General Office Products, Rainbow Treecare, Stahl Construction Company. Winners are announced on community television and in local newspapers. All businesses, schools, non-profits, of any size are eligible to apply. Application here.

Metropolitan Mosquito Control District

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District provides a variety of services in the seven county Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. Services include:

- Survey for and control mosquitoes that transmit human diseases,
- Monitor deer tick populations and provide public education regarding Lyme and other tick-borne diseases,
- Survey for and control nuisance causing mosquitoes, biting gnats, and mosquitoes that transmit dog heartworm,
- Public education regarding all aspects of District programs, with emphasis on ways to reduce risk of mosquito and tick-borne diseases.

Click here for the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District

NextStep
A comprehensive web site sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for people who want to find and share resources on sustainability. Click here for more information.

Planet Green Game

The Planet Green Game is about educating the public on climate change through engaging and informative game play while encouraging individuals to become part of the solution in their own lives.  The game also assists individuals - through simple tools
and links - in advocating action by elected officials, business and community leaders.

 

Post Carbon Institute
The Post Carbon Institute is a think, action and education tank offering research, project tools, education and information to implement proactive strategies to adapt to an energy constrained world. The Institute works locally and regionally with community groups, governments, businesses and other public and private organizations. For more information, click here. For Post Carbon Cities international news, click here.

Protect children from diesel fumes.
In May 2002, Minnesota adopted legislation to protect the health and safety of children from harmful diesel emissions. This law calls for schools to reduce the unnecessary idling of school buses in front of schools, and reroute bus parking zones away from air-intake vents (or if necessary, relocate the air-intake vents). Click here for more information.

Recycle City
Recycle City is an interactive site that takes a hands-on approach to teaching children about recycling adn includes a Recycle City scavenger hunt. Go to U.S. EPA.

Recycle Guys!
This imaginative Web site teaches students the ABC's about how to recycle.
Go to NC Dept of Environment and Natural Resources.

Resources
Tons of resources for teachers and parents for children of all ages on a variety of topics, including the environment. Go to Scholastic.

Sundays Energy
Sundays Energy is a Minneapolis, employee-owned company dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability. Sundays Energy focuses its collaborations with the green community, but also works with regional and national socially minded businesses and non-profits. For more information and resources click here.

Teachers
Another source of information and materials to order or download on-line to use when teaching kids about recycling. Go to EPA.

Teen Facts on Recycling
Information from the Environmental Protection Agency on the 3 R's - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and facts about recycling and the environment. Go to Teen Facts.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
The Education Department of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory offers a variety of programs for educators and school groups. For more information, go to Como Zoo.

Green Star Schools Program
The Green Star Schools are the first in the nation to reduce waste in every aspect of school life. Schools throughout Boulder County are partnering with Eco-Cycle to move toward Zero Waste through increased recycling, the implementation of composting, and special waste reduction activities. Click here for more information.

Water Science for Schools
by the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) is a web site that shows many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge. Click here for information.

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