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WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES
________________________________________BAELN ScheduleThe Brainerd Area Environmental Learning Network (BAELN), now in its seventh season, offers people in the environmental field and the community timely information on environmental and sustainability issues, along with the chance to network with others. This season's theme Greening the Economy gives us insight into the jobs, skills and opportunities that the green jobs direction offers. BAELN events are held most third Thursdays of the month from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and include an hour-long presentation with time for questions, networking and refreshments. The events are free and all are invited to participate.
BAELN is a collaborative effort of the following organizations: 1000 Friends of Minnesota, Central Lakes College, Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District, Initiative Foundation, MN Department of Natural Resources, MN Department of Transportation, MN Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Waters, The Nature Conservancy, community member and University of Minnesota Extension. If you would like to be on the BAELN email list or for general information on BAELN, please contact Stephen Mikkelson at (218) 316-3887, or toll free at 1-800-657-3864.
Upcoming events: 2010 Schedule (subject to change)
Location: MN Pollution Control Agency, 7678 College Rd, Suite 105, Baxter
Times: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
- March 25 (fourth Thursday): Deconstruction Reuse = Green Opportunities
- April 15: Putting Green Practices into Action: MN GreenCorps and MN Conservation Corps
- May 20: Greening Transportation - Northstar Rail
- June 17: Training the next generation of green workers (and a few old dogs too)
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Save the Date: 6th Annual Small Wind Conference
June 15-16, 2010
9 am – 6 pm
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
A Gathering of Installers, Manufacturers, Dealers, and Distributors. The 6th annual Small Wind Conference is the premier event for small wind-electric system designers and installers, and for those involved in sales, specification, management, funding, and permitting of small wind systems.
More than 300 small wind professionals and industry representatives from across the United States and nine countries attended the 2009 conference, a key opportunity for open and honest dialogue, networking and education within the industry.
"This conference is the only conference that I am aware of that addresses the entire gamut of issues pertinent to the small wind community," said Trudy Forsyth, Small Wind Coordinator for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Topics to be covered will include:
- Updates from wind turbine manufacturers and importers
- Test results and updates on new wind turbines and equipment
- Wind-electric system cost and design
- Zoning and permitting processes
- Advancements in resource and site assessments
- Problems encountered in the field and how they were solved
- Input from dealers and installers-what works and what needs work
- Updates on installer and turbine certification as well as new NEC code for small wind
Who should attend?
Wind system installers, site assessors, equipment dealers and distributors, manufacturers, renewable energy program implementers, state funding agencies, educators, zoning officials, policy makers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Those considering entering the small wind industry are also invited. This conference is not intended for homeowners or end users
For more information on the event, including sponsorship opportunities, visit
www.windustry.org or contact: Samantha Smart Merritt, Windustry, 612-870-3474,
Samantha@windustry.org.
You can also contact:
info@smallwindconference.com or visit
www.smallwindconference.com.
________________________________________If you have a conference or workshop you think other central Minnesota community members would be interested,
just let Jolene know!
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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Conservation Partnership grants are available to all Minnesota Waters members and affiliates. Seven $5,000.00 grants will be awarded. Funded projects will be short-term (12 months) in duration to demonstrate quick, tangible results for implementation during 2010. Please contact Erica LeMoine at
erical@minnesotawaters.org with any questions.
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THINGS TO KNOW
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Upcoming Events at the Brainerd Northland Arboretum: www.northlandarb.com
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Upcoming Events at St. John’s Arboretum, St. Joseph:
www.csbsju.edu/arboretum
Minnesota Natural History Lecture Series
3rd Tuesday each month, September-May
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free—Students (any age) & Arb members; $5 – nonmembers, nonstudents
- March 16: The Natural History of Maple Syrup Production
- April 20: Climate Change and its Effect on MN Trees
- May 18: Purple Martins
Interested in learning more about Minnesota’s natural world? Join us each month during the school year for a lecture and discussion on a variety of natural history topics. Lectures will take place indoors.
All ages are welcome to all of our lectures; however, we have designated some lectures as kid-friendly when the topics/presentation styles are more suitable for kids. Lectures that are designated as teacher-friendly indicate that there will be classroom resources available for teachers at the lecture.
Maple Syrup Festivals
Saturday, March 27 & Saturday, April 10
Join us for what has become our most popular event of the year! Sap collecting, syrup cooking, horse-drawn rides, demonstrations, and hot maple syrup sundaes await the whole family during this fun-filled event! Preregistration for families is preferred but not required. Preregistration for scout groups is required.
Cost: $7 - Adult nonmembers/scouts; $3 – Child members/scouts; $3 Adult members; Free – Child members. $1 off per person if you pre-register by the Friday before the festival you attend. (Up to $10 – does not apply to scouts)
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Voices for the Lakes Essay Contest Announcement
“Write what should not be forgotten” –Isabelle Allende
Minnesota is the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” It is also the “Land of 10,000 Lake Stories.” Memories of a sunny day’s swim in the cool water, a big “catch” pulled from a little hole in the ice, and a relaxing sunset amplified by the evening call of a nearby loon or a far off wolf are at the heart of most Minnesotans. In today’s fast-paced world, the lakes are a calming reminder of what makes Minnesota special.
As shoreland development trends increasingly move toward bigger homes, more impervious surface from roofs and driveways, more turf grass lawns replacing natural vegetation, and more removal of aquatic vegetation, the wellbeing of Minnesota’s most precious resource is at risk. The lakes need a voice. Their language of water quality, aquatic plant health, and wildlife diversity oftentimes translates to a call for stewardship that is misinterpreted. To preserve our lakes for future generations, we must celebrate our state’s deep-abiding connection with water and creatively articulate that connection that links our past with our future.
In light of the 10-year anniversary of the successful Voices for the Land essay contest, 1000 Friends of Minnesota is giving you the opportunity to be a voice for the lakes that are at the core of a true Minnesotan identity. There are few things more powerful and action-inspiring than citizens speaking from their hearts and sharing their passion for special places. Voices for the Lakes calls for individuals to depict their connection with Minnesota’s greatest natural resource – its lakes. Share your lake story and be the voice our lakes need.
Submissions may be made from November 1, 2009 until February 1, 2010. Winners will be announced on May 3, 2010. Winners will be recognized with their work published on the 1000 Friends of Minnesota website (
www.1000fom.org), and in other publications currently being pursued. Winners will also be given the opportunity to participate in readings around the state
For details, please go to the 1000 Friends of Minnesota website at
www.1000fom.org.
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This newsletter is designed to share funding opportunities, resources, and conferences or training events of common interest for program participants and supporters of the Initiative Foundation. For more information about these and other training opportunities, contact Don Hickman, Senior Program Manager for Planning and Preservation.
If you wish to be removed from this mailing list or if you have other names/e-mails to add please contact Jolene Howard.
Archived Issues:
#69, #70, #71, #72, #73, #74, #75, #76, #77, #78, #79, #80, #81, #82, #83, #84, #85, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #96, #97, #98, #99, #100, #101
