Current list of possible project ideas for second half of semester-Please think about ideas to ADD!

Posted on February 24, 2020 by angell

 

  • Homeowners-Cultivate your carbon education and information-might include information on increasing carbon sequestration in lawns, promote composting, growing appropriate trees and providing some areas where more native pollinator friendly species can be established (not all short green grass). Reconsider fertilizer applications (just makes grass grow faster so you have to mow-small engines like landmowers are terrible in terms of emissions.)
  • Explore “park stewardship” program. Some parks have a “friends of” group but maybe more education and structure is needed that is geared towards carbon sequestration opportunities (and because there are state grants coming up in fall where it would be nice to say we have these programs so Northfield looks organized and competitive)
  • Local carbon offset fund-just for Northfield. Who cities or towns have done this before? How do they work? Perhaps the funds could be used to plant trees locally.
  • Help research and establish a “tree policy” for the city. What do other cities and towns do?
  • Schools/education-Easy opportunity would be to try something with 5th graders this spring. How the heck do you talk about carbon sequestration with elementary schoolers?
  • Materials/displays/communication library locations/public graphics to promote an understanding of this aspect (carbon landscape) of the Climate Action Plan. Might involve some calculations about trees/natural landscapes in Northfield and their benefits.
  • Possibility of Demonstration Projects in prominent locations. Take a city location that maybe is just currently mowed and create a planting plan that would educate folks on the potential to plant a diverse landscape that stores carbon.
  • Help implement a grant that we already have that involves helping landowners plant pollinator friendly gardens in their yards. We need helpers to come along to talk to landowners, come up with planting plans and maybe facilitate plant purchasing and planting.
  • We have earth day coming up-what can we do for that? Maybe one group could take on that? Northfield has a big event downtown. Do we want display materials? A little demonstration?? Activity? Seed to give out for free? Native prairie seed balls? (That is where you make a mud ball with some seed in it to smack into the ground in your yard. I have some seed.)
  • More specifically explore the health co-benefits of trees in Northfield to advertise to the public health community here?
  • Funding for tree planting in small towns and cities. Apparently there are some organizations that provide this funding. Explore and write a draft grant!
  • Could pitch raingardens-city has a program but maybe establish and communicate the importance of their carbon sequestration potential.
  • Analyze mowing for the city. Are there areas we could not mow? Write a proposal to pitch to the grounds crew! (they are a tough crowd to convince)
  • Work specifically with churches to examine the carbon sequestering potential of the green spaces that surround them.
  • Works specifically with different business owners to examine the carbon sequestering potential of the green spaces that surround them. (Warning…businesses are usually not very motivated to do anything very quickly.)
  • Work on policy for new developments in Northfield. What do other cities or towns require in terms of planting trees and/or other carbon sequestering landscapes?
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