April is Earth Month!

Hi, all - April is Earth month!  April 22nd is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!

It's a hard, scary time for everyone, no doubt about it.  But one positive on the social distancing we've all been practicing is the impact on the climate:  https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-changes-pollution-over-china.html.   As a caring neighborhood, I'm asking everyone to do their part to help Mother Nature out even more.

Please adopt a storm drain, plant pollinator friendly vegetation, reduce your food waste and/or pick up trash in front of your house. 

Every action will help heal the planet even further and make our community more resilient in the face of adversity.

Please use the links on the left side of the page to find out more about any of these initiatives.  We've also added an option for you to contact us with questions or comments.

Thanks all!  Stay safe, stay healthy!

Mary Britton
PPA Environment Committee Chair

ANNOUNCING THE FIRST (AND WE HOPE THE ONLY) VIRTUAL EARTH DAY CLEAN-UP!

Virtual Earth Day Clean-Up!

Starting Saturday April 4th and running through Saturday April 18th.

Get out, get active, enjoy the spring weather, gather & bag litter from all the public spaces in our lovely neighborhood and COMPETE FOR FABULOUS PRIZES!!!.

Instructions:

   - Please focus on the litter.  It's great if you clean storm drains, but organic matter (leaves, sticks, and the like) cannot be part of your loot.

   - Weigh your bags, take pictures of yourself holding them high like trophies, and send the results to litter.ppa@gmail.com. (Please post the areas you have covered.)

   - PLEASE BE SAFE: practice social distancing, use gloves, don't venture into areas that are too steep or inaccessible, don't lift more than you can manage.

Borders of the neighborhood are Oak Street, Emerald Avenue, the Mississippi River and 4th Street.  If you go to the Mississippi River, focus your clean up on the walking path. Please do not disturb homeless encampments.  

Some gloves will be available on the porch at 111 Melbourne Avenue, but please provide your own bags or recyclable containers.

Winners will be announced in the May PPA newsletter.

Questions:  Email litter.ppa@gmail.com

Climate Action Plan Kickoff Postponed

Hi, all - 

Because of the corona virus emergency, we are postponing the Climate Action Plan kickoff until next fall.  The PPA Environment committee is still committed to our mission - to achieve sustainability and resiliency through a local, strategic and measurable initiative. 

Ways you can stay informed about the Climate Action Plan:

• Sign up for the Prospect Park Association Monthly Newsletter at https://pperr.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8a12b3152d8f70e97e090b501&id=db05d4188e
• Bookmark this page and check back often
• Sign up for the neighborhood email list by sending an email to ppelist@gmail.com
• Sign up at Nextdoor.com and check the events and general sections. 

Ways you can be involved and make a difference:

• Email the committee at environment@prospectparkmpls.org
• Join us for our monthly committee meeting, last Tuesday of every month from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.  In the short term, we will be hosting Zoom meetings.  Email us for details.
• Check out the Center for Energy and Environment’s Home Energy Hub at https://homeenergyhub.org/Home/Learn to find out what changes you can make at your residence.

More to come!

Mary K. Britton - Environment Committee Chair

PPA Board Approves Climate Action Plan

In last night's meeting, the Prospect Park Association approved the climate action plan.   We are the first neighborhood in Minneapolis to create such a plan!  Yeah, us!  

                                                                   *****

Curious about the plan, but just want the highlights?  It’s BASIC, really -

Bold – Our mission is to achieve sustainability and resiliency through a local, strategic and measurable initiative. 

Achievable – Our first goal is a 20% reduction in natural gas use in Prospect Park by 2025.

Strategic – We start by focusing on home energy use.  This gives us time to mature communications and metrics, develop contacts within sub-neighborhoods and partner with key stakeholders. 

Inclusive – We have 9 sub neighborhoods that house homeowners, renters and students.  Everyone is important.  Everyone is part of this. 

Community driven – Neighbors helping neighbors to have more energy secure lives, with actions ranging from energy audits to classes to home energy improvements.

Want to be part of saving the world?

·    Join us at the Climate Action Plan Kickoff on March 28, 10 – 2 at the Prospect Park United Methodist Church and sign up for an energy audit.   Learn simple ways to save energy and cut your bills.  Or simply enjoy  cookies and cider and a chance to visit with neighbors!  

·    Questions, comments, want to volunteer?  Please email the committee at environment@prospectparkmpls.org.  Or better yet, join us at one of our committee meetings, 4^th Tuesday of every month, 6:30 – 8, Luxton Park Recreation Center.  We’d love to see you!

Version 2 of Climate Action Plan Posted

Hi, all - based on feedback, we've update the Prospect Park Climate Action Plan to include wording on the need to adapt to climate change, as well as stressing the Environment Committee's commitment to seeking feedback.

The updated plan can be found at the links on the left, and the changes are in red.

Please keep the feedback coming! 

Mary Britton - Environment Committee Chair

PPUMC to co-host Climate Action Plan Kickoff

Prospect Park United Methodist Church has generously offered to co-host the PPA Climate Action Plan kickoff on Saturday, March 28th from 10 - 2 pm!   Woo-hoo!  Thank you, PPUMC!

The kickoff will formally roll out the Prospect Park Association's Climate Action Plan and announce our first 5 year goal.  It will be the first of several events that provide resources, information and assistance in helping neighbors make their residences more energy efficient and affordable.  

- Mary Britton, PPA Environment Committee Chair

Draft of Neighborhood Climate Action Plan Approved by Committee

Merry Christmas, everyone!

The Prospect Park Association's Climate Action Plan was approved in the last Environment Committee meeting.   You can find it on the left hand side of our website under 'Site Map'. 

It is scheduled as an agenda item for the Prospect Park community meeting on January 27th and will be voted on by the Prospect Park board in February.   If you can't make it to on January 27th, please feel free to email any comments or questions to environment@prospectparkmpls.org. 

Also, Emma Dill of the Minnesota Daily wrote a lovely article on what we are trying to do.  Check it out at Prospect Park drafts plan to meet climate action goals.