> PDF of this newsletter

________________________________________
WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES
________________________________________

Spirit of the Rum River Cleanup
Annual Fun in the Rain or Sun!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Join the Friends of the Rum River for our 5th annual Rum River Cleanup! We'll meet first from 9:30-10 am for a half hour introduction to the cultural and geological history of the this upper-most stretch of the Rum River, at the Mile Lacs Kathio State Park Interpretive Center.

Then move your canoes and kayaks to the parking lot of the park boat access just south of the Interpretive center, east side of the Rum (plenty of room for vehicles). We will travel upriver, do a very short portage around the dam at the south end of Lake Ogechie, then canoe the perimeter of Lake Ogechie, up to Lake Mille Lacs. Anyone interested can venture out into the Big Lake (weather dependent) and do some clean-up along the shoreline, then return downriver to the boat access. Cleanup equipment is provided. A free lunch will be available. You should be out of the river around 3 pm - but you can take as much time as you want. A six to eight mile round trip.
 
All those assisting with the cleanup will be able to enter Mille Lacs State Park at no charge. Stop first at the park entrance for a work permit. The Park is also offering the use of six canoes at no charge Contact Wally Hed at 763-689-9619 if you would like to reserve one of those canoes or need a canoe partner. For other questions and to RSVP, contact Kriste at RumRiverNews@yahoo.com.

________________________________________
Women's Wellness & Adventure Weekend at Audubon Center of the North Woods
October 1-3, 2010
Sandstone, MN
All-inclusive, complete holistic retreat - comfy lodging, wonderful food, and a variety of classes and activities to choose from, such as (for example only – not all classes are offered every season):

• Adventure & Challenge (examples include high ropes course, Nordic walking, canoeing, etc.),
• Wellness & Nature (examples include yoga, massage, reiki, hikes, bird banding, facials, medicinal plant classes, etc.), and
• Creative Expressions (examples include art classes, flower arranging, belly dancing, scrapbooking, etc.).

Lodging, meals, all programming and 10 minutes of massage or reiki are included in the weekend fee (additional massage or reiki available for an additional fee). All-inclusive weekend package rates $245-$265. For more information call 1-888-404-7743, email fenner@audubon-center.org or visit   http://www.audubon-center.org/womens_wellness.htm.

________________________________________
Audubon Center of the North Woods Fall Open House
October 9, 2010
Sandstone, MN
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Enjoy a free, activity-filled day of family fun while enjoying the beautiful fall colors on the shores of Grindstone Lake near Sandstone, MN!  Wildlife programs, apple cider pressing, climbing wall, zip line, face painting, art & craft fair, scavenger hunt, and much more. Lunch is available for purchase. New this year!!  Voyageur (10-passenger) Canoe Rides. Call 888-404-7743 or visit www.audubon-center.org/openhouse.html for more info!

________________________________________
Renewable Trail Run/Walk at Audubon Center of the North Woods
October 9, 2010
Sandstone, MN

Race starts at 9 a.m., awards ceremony is at 10:30 a.m.

Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage in a gorgeous lakeside refuge.  5K run is over trails on the 535-acre Audubon Center property - 10 K run is part trail and part around Grindstone Lake. All proceeds go towards the development and improvement of energy education curriculum at the Audubon Center of the North Woods.
Registered racers receive long-sleeve t-shirt, goodie bag, post-race refreshments.  Free camping is available the night before and day of the race – inside lodging is also available; reservations required.

Register online at www.audubon-center.org/trailrun.htm or via phone - 888-404-7743.

________________________________________
Montessori Conference At the Audubon Center of the North Woods
November 5-7, 2010
Sandstone, MN

Cost: Commuter rate: $150; All-inclusive package rate: $215 (includes lodging); Group package rate (4 or more from same school)—$180.

Join us for this fun and engaging professional retreat as Montessori teachers and administrators from across the state gather for a weekend of sharing, networking, teambuilding, nature and learning! In addition to a number of break-out sessions, enjoy a raptor presentation, team-building activities, environmental education and mind-body sessions such as yoga and guided nature hikes. Presented in partnership with the Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs at St. Catherine University. Call 888-404-7743 or visit www.audubon-center.org.

If you have information about an event and would like it posted here please contact Jolene at jhoward@ifound.org.

________________________________________
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
________________________________________

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grants

Bring Back the Natives: A Public-Private Partnership for Restoring Populations of Native Aquatic Species
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S.D.A. Forest Service (FS), and Trout Unlimited (TU), is pleased to request pre-proposals from nonprofit organizations, universities, Native American tribes, and local, state, and federal agencies interested in restoring, protecting, and enhancing native populations of sensitive or listed aquatic species, especially on lands on or adjacent to federal agency lands.

Funding for the BBN program is administered through NFWF from federal agencies cooperating to support this program. This funding suggests a $2 non-federal match for each federal dollar requested by applicants. Since 1991, BBN has supported 279 projects and benefited over 120 species, 29 of which are federally listed as threatened or endangered.  Typically applications are due on Dec. 1st, 2010.  For more information visit:  http://www.nfwf.org/bbn.

________________________________________
Five Star Restoration Grant Program
Provides modest financial assistance on a competative basis to support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. These grants are typically due in mid-February. 

The Five Star Restoration Program is open to any public or private entity; however, grants funded by PG&E’s Nature Restoration Trust are restricted to non-profit community-based organizations, conservation organizations, local governments, and school districts.

Requests must be for $10,000 to $40,000.Grants will vary in size, duration and scale. In general, smaller-scale, one-year projects will be eligible for grants up to $20,000. Two-year, larger-scale projects will be eligible for grants up to $40,000. We anticipate the average grant award will be $20,000 to $25,000. Partnerships should include at least five organizations (“Five Stars”) that contribute to project success through funding, land, workforce support, technical support and/or other in-kind services. 

For more information visit: http://www.epa.gov/wetlands/restore/5star/.

________________________________________
Green Enterprise Assistance Team
Starting a green business? Looking for expansion or relocation opportunities for your clean-technology or renewable energy company? Want to improve your company's efficiency? Let our Green Enterprise Assistance team put you on the right track in Minnesota.

A collaboration of several state agencies, the Green Enterprise Assistance team can help you cut through the thicket of programs, services, and agencies to find the right answers and right resources for your company. From financial assistance to navigating legal and regulatory matters we'll guide you to the resources and expertise you'll need.

Eligibility - We’re looking for clean-technology and renewable-energy firms. By statute, we help companies whose technologies use energy from renewable resources and support energy efficiency and conservation. Businesses that are working to reduce gashouse gases, protect and conserve water and improve biofuel production may also apply for our services.

We Can Help at Any Stage - We help companies at any stage of development, from new ideas to business startups to established companies with products and services ready to market. If you have a product or service ready to sell and want assistance, the GEA Team is happy to work with you. We’re just as interested in hearing about your business startup and how our team of experts can facilitate your growth. 

Contact Us - The GEA is facilitated by the Department of Employment and Economic Development and includes representatives from numerous state agencies. Call 651-259-7437 for more information or complete and submit this electronic form and we will contact you.

________________________________________
Central Lakes College awarded green training grant
The Minnesota State Energy Sector Partnership has awarded 14 green grants totaling more than $1.1 million to train Minnesotans for jobs in energy efficiency and the renewable energy industry, the Governor's Workforce Development Council announced Thursday. Central Lakes College, in partnership with Zenergy, Jim's Electric Co. Inc., RetroGreen Energy, Rural Renewable Energy Alliance and others received $99,125 to offer regional short-term job readiness to incumbent and dislocated workers in energy efficiency and electric power generation.

________________________________________
THINGS TO KNOW
________________________________________

Apply now for the Governor's Awards for Pollution Prevention
Minnesota’s Top Environmental Award

Be recognized for your environmental efforts. Apply for a Governor's Awards for Pollution Prevention this summer!

The State of Minnesota is now seeking nominations/applications for the 2010-2011 Governor's Awards program. Applications are being accepted for projects that reduce waste and pollution at the source, conserve natural resources, protect groundwater, save energy, and practice sustainability.

The Governor's Awards for Pollution Prevention has three categories that honor businesses/nonprofits, government, and partnerships for superior environmental achievement.  Apply now, the application deadline is September 15, 2010.

For more information, including online applications, examples of past winners, and assistance, go to http://www.pca.state.mn.us/govawards/apply or call Peder Sandhei at 651-757-2688  or e-mail govawards@pca.state.mn.us.

________________________________________
Call for Abstracts:
Minnesota – Wisconsin Invasive Species Conference 2010:
Working Together to Control Invasive Species
http://www.minnesotaswcs.org/
November 8-10, 2010; St. Paul, Minnesota

The first collaborative Minnesota-Wisconsin conference on invasive species will be held for the purpose of exchanging information on invasive species topics.  This is an all-taxa conference covering invasive aquatic and terrestrial plants, animals, pests, and pathogens.  The focus is to strengthen awareness of invasive species issues, prevention, and management.  Expected audiences include researchers, land managers, natural resource professionals, university personnel, landscapers, nursery, agricultural or forestry employees, environmental specialists, lake association members, and agency and non-governmental organizations.

The hosting organizations are the Minnesota Invasive Species Council (www.mda.state.mn.us/misac/), the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin (www.ipaw.org), the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (www.mipn.org), and the Soil and Water Conservation Society – Minnesota Chapter (www.minnesotaswcs.org).  The hosts are announcing a CALL FOR ABSTRACTS for this invasive species conference.

You are invited to share your projects or research as oral presentations or posters. Presenters may be affiliated with universities, municipal, state or federal agencies, tribes, local governmental units, non-governmental organizations, industry, or other organizations involved with management and protection of natural resources.  The conference will include concurrent sessions with topics on both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. Sessions will be organized under five themes: 1) Invasive species; 2) prevention, containment, and preparedness; 3) early detection and rapid response; 4) control and management; and 5) restoration.

For more information visit: http://www.minnesotaswcs.org/ or contact Laura Van Riper at 651-259-5090 or laura.vanriper@state.mn.us.

________________________________________
5th Annual Blind Wine Tasting Arboretum Fundraiser
Thursday, August 26th
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Northland Arboretum Visitor Center
 
Please note the change in date. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at door.
Call 218-829-8770 for more information.

________________________________________
Eco Camps offered by Happy Dancing Turtle in Pine River

Happy Dancing Turtle will host five sessions of Eco Camp this summer. Children attending Eco Camp will learn about ways to live more sustainably through experiments, projects, crafts, games, field trips and activities. The camps will focus on energy conservation, food and water security, and environmental stewardship.

Families have the option to choose one or more of the following sessions, according to what grade their children will enter in the fall of 2010:

• "Act Natural," Grades 5-8, Aug. 23-27.

Each weeklong session runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and will be on the Hunt Utilities Group Campus on Highway 2 West of Pine River. Tuition for each session is $50, which includes snacks, supplies, fees and a T-shirt. Registration forms are available at www.happydancingturtle.org or can be picked up at various Pine River & Pequot Lakes locations.

For more information, contact Happy Dancing Turtle at (218) 587-2303, barbhines@happydancingturtle.org or visit www.happydancingturtle.org.

________________________________________
Calling All Writers
We all have a special lake. Maybe you have a cabin next to it, maybe it's in the city and you visit it all the time or maybe you've only been there once but your memories are fond. Whatever your reason, we want to know what lake matters to you and why.

Photographs and videos will be collected from May 13 through September 6, 2010. All submissions must legibly include the words "This Lake Matters," and feel free to get creative! Young people are especially encouraged to submit photos and videos.

http://www.seek.state.mn.us/article.cfm?id=5048

Want to be one of the Minnesota voices for our continuous blog of thoughts, feelings and observations about our Minnesota natural resources? Conservation Minnesota is always seeking original Minnesota stories linking your life to our Great Outdoors, from your back yard to the Boundary Waters.  Check out http://www.conservationminnesota.com/news/?cat=73, and contact Dave Dempsey if you would like to give us your stories 612-767-2444.
________________________________________

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, #102, #103, #104, #105