Many communities around the country and world have recognized the harmful effects that polystyrene take-out containers have on the environment and have instituted bans on their use. Elk River is home to one of the state’s largest municipal solid waste landfills. The landfill’s staff and surrounding community often deal with litter from the landfill and […]
Sustainable Development Goal: 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Decreasing Use of Plastic Shopping Bags
Many communities around the country and world have recognized the harmful effects that plastic shopping bags have on the environment and have instituted bans or taxes on their use. Elk River is home to one of the state’s largest municipal solid waste landfills. The landfill staff and community often deal with plastic shopping bag litter […]
Costs and Benefits of Going Paperless
Many cities have converted from a paper filing and storage system to an all electronic system. This is not only an environmentally friendlier option but it also can save a city money on printing costs and can save file storage space. Furthermore, electronic files are much easier to navigate and can lead to productivity increases […]
Mapping the Charleston Quadrangle
In the past, gravel and clay deposits were mined in Tallahatchie County as an economic resource. Those known resources have since been depleted. Drilling the Charleston quadrangle to map and analyze the sand and gravel deposits can identify new economic resources in the county and significantly contribute to regional scientific research. Read the final student […]
Environmental Education Initiative
Identify opportunities for North St. Paul to leverage Southwood Park—a 29-acre nature reserve that features a large wetland, restored oak savannah, and trail system—to educate residents about the local ecosystem and how to be good stewards of the natural resources in the community. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Resilient […]
Integrating Resources into Our Future (Natural Resources Management and Outreach Plan)
Help the City update the Natural Resources chapter of the comprehensive plan by developing outreach and education strategies to communicate to residents the value of natural resource projection; identifying and prioritizing high-value natural resources for conservation or restoration; and identifying incentives and other non-regulatory strategies to protect and manage natural resources. Read the final student […]
Restaurants & Food Waste: Reuse & Disposal
Evaluate the financial impacts of creating a city-wide food waste recycling program and identify best practices for food waste recycling and reduction. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Resilient Communities Project Contact Info University Faculty Contact Steve Kelley Public Affairs Affiliated Faculty kelle644@umn.edu Local Government / Community Contact Don Opsahl […]
Fostering Sustainable Behaviors for City Empolyees
Elk River seeks to encourage sustainable behaviors for city employees as part of the City’s overall sustainability strategy and goals. In 2015, Elk River city staff participated in the Class 5 Energy Efficiency Behavior Based Challenge. The challenge involved no cost projects to increase energy efficiency in city buildings through behavior change of city employees. […]
Read More… from Fostering Sustainable Behaviors for City Empolyees
Long-Term Sustainability of Natural Resources
Develop a natural resource management plan to ensure long-term care of natural resources in Brooklyn Park. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Resilient Communities Project Contact Info University Faculty Contact Mae Davenport Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Professor mdaven@umn.edu 612 624 2721 Local Government / Community Contact Jodi Yungers Director […]
Read More… from Long-Term Sustainability of Natural Resources
Improving Residents’ Leaf Management Practices
Design a social marketing behavior change campaign about leaf collection. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. UniverCity Year Contact Info Gavin Luter Managing Director gavin@cows.org 608-261-1141 University Faculty Contact Neil Stenhouse Life Sciences Communication Assistant Professor stenhouse@wisc.edu (571) 306-8546 Local Government / Community Contact Brad Bruun Public Works Project Manager/GIS […]
Read More… from Improving Residents’ Leaf Management Practices