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Home My WebLink About6.a. Develop 2023 Education & Outreach CalendarI:\Environment & Sustainability Commission\Packets\2023\20230118 ESC Packet\6.a. Develop 2023 Education & Outreach Calendar.docx EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Environment & Sustainability Commission Meeting: December 13, 2022 AGENDA ITEM: 2023 Education & Outreach Calendar AGENDA SECTION: Old Business PREPARED BY: Jane Byron, Stormwater Specialist AGENDA NO. 6.a. ATTACHMENTS: Draft 2023 Calendar Conserve & Preserve Blog Review APPROVED BY: BLE RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion DISCUSSION The Environment and Sustainability Commission (ESC) performs education and outreach activities throughout the year. As part of planning events for the year, the Commission develops a calendar to help guide activities. It is a working document that is updated as the year progresses. Some outreach items will be assigned to specific commissioners or otherwise require commission participation. Previous education and outreach activities have included blog posts, community environmental events, and special speakers. The discussion will focus on early stage planning for 2023 education and outreach activities spearheaded by the ESC. The Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator provided some information on waste reduction events and education planning: The upcoming Park and Rec. Bulletin scheduled to come out in spring will include information on recycling cleaners, spring cleanup event, sports equipment swap, athletic gear drive, and other related information. Additionally, County Fix-It Clinics are planned for the year as follows: • Apple Valley – Feb 18 • Eagan – June 17 • Farmington – July 15 • Eagan – Sept 17 SUMMARY Discuss education and outreach activities the ESC would like to spearhead in 2023. Event Date Event Date Event Date Expo Mar. 18 Expo Jan. 28 Swap Event (Athletic Gear)Apr. 1 Athletic Gear Drive Apr. 1 - Apr. 27 Athletic Gear Drive Apr. 1 - Apr. 27 Athletic Gear Drive Apr. 1 - Apr. 27 Spring Cleanup May 20 Spring Cleanup May 6 Spring Cleanup May 13 America Recycles Education Jun. 2 Bag Exchange ? America Recycles Education Jun. 1 Bag Exchange Jun. 13 - Sep. 26 Dew Days Jun. 23 - 25 Rivertown Days Jul. 21-23 Leprechaun Days Jul. 24 - 30 Night to Unite Aug. 1 Night to Unite Aug. 1 Night to Unite Aug. 1 Mattress Coupon Sep. 1 - 30 Mattress Coupon Sep. 1 - 30 Mattress Coupon Sep. 1 - 30 America Recycles Education Sep. 8 Fall Cleanup Sep. 23 Food Truck Fest Sep. 16 Fall Cleanup Sep. 30 Pumpkin Collection Nov. 4-5 Fall Cleanup Oct. 7 Swap Event (Halloween)Oct. 14 Holiday Light Collection Nov. 13 - Jan. 31 Pumpkin Collection Nov. 4-5 Pumpkin Collection Nov. 4-5 Office Cleanup Day Dec. 5 Holiday Light Collection Nov. 13 - Jan. 31 Holiday Light Collection Nov. 13 - Jan. 31 Bag Exchange Year-round Swap Event (Winter Clothing)Nov. 18 Rosemount Farmington Hastings 2023 Environment and Sustainability Commission Education and Outreach Calendar The outline below lays out the planned education and outreach schedule of the ESC. The outline may be amended as the year progresses and new opportunities arise, or conditions otherwise change. January Blog • Social Media & Print • City Newsletter – spring preview o Landscaping for Clean Water advertisement o Financial incentives for green projects o Smart salting • Utility insert to 1/3 residents o Side A - Landscaping for Clean Water o Side B – Typically advertises environmental rebate programs Solid Waste • Monthly Topic – It gets recycled: cardboard and paper • Monthly Topic – food challenge • Event promotion – holiday lights • Event promotion – save the food challenge Events & Days of Note • January is National Radon Action Month https://www.epa.gov/radon/national-radon-action- month-information • January 1 – New Year’s Day • January 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day • Radon Awareness Week January 23-27 https://www.cdc.gov/radon/index.html February Blog • Social Media & Print • Utility insert to 1/3 residents o Side A - Landscaping for Clean Water o Side B –  Typically advertises environmental rebate programs Solid Waste • Monthly Topic - It gets recycled: metal • Monthly Topic – reduce mail Events & Days of Note • February 20 – Presidents Day March Blog • Social Media & Print • Utility insert to 1/3 residents o Side A - Landscaping for Clean Water o Side B –  Typically advertises environmental rebate programs Solid Waste • Monthly Topic - glass • Monthly Topic – composting/organics • Event Promotion – athletic gear swap Events & Days of Note • TBD - Rosemount Business Expo – Booth • March 3 – World Wildlife Day • March 20 – First Day of Spring • March 22 – World Water Day April Blog • Social Media & Print • City Newsletter – summer preview o Irrigation water best practices o WHEP o Spring rebates, cost share, and education programs for the environment o Adopt-a-drain o Pet waste • Public notice opportunity to provide comment on the SWPPP Solid Waste • Monthly Topic – Earth Day: recycling markets • Monthly Topic – mattress/box spring recycling coupon • Event Promotion – Earth Day • Event Promotion – Mattress/box spring coupon • Event Promotion – sports equipment drive Events & Days of Note • April 1-30 – Mayors’ Water Challenge https://www.mywaterpledge.com/ • April 22 – Earth Day • April 28 – Arbor Day • Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Event May Blog • Social Media & Print • Solid Waste • Monthly Topic – it gets recycled: plastics • Monthly Topic – Compost Week May 7-13 • Monthly Topic – mattress/box spring coupon • Monthly Topic – Spring Clean Up • Event Promotion – compost week • Event Promotion – Mattress Coupons • Event Promotion – Spring Clean Up Events & Days of Note • No Mow May • Public opportunity to comment on the SWPPP o Solicit comments on the website o Council meeting presentation • May 7-13 – Compost Week • May 13 – World Migratory Bird Day • May 17 – Bike to Work Day • May 19 – Endangered Species Day • May 20 – Spring Clean Up • May 21-27: National Public Works Week • May 29 – Memorial Day June Blog • Things you can do for pollinators o June 20 – 26 is Pollinator Week Social Media & Print • Solid Waste • Monthly Topic – small plastic items • Monthly Topic – low-waste summer gatherings Events & Days of Note • June 19 – Juneteenth • June 21 – First Day of Summer • June 19-25 is Pollinator Week July Blog • Social Media & Print • City Newsletter – fall preview o Yard waste management o Illicit discharge education Solid Waste • Monthly Topic – home remodeling or bulky items Events & Days of Note • July 4 – Independence Day • July 22 to July 29 – Leprechaun Days o July 28 & 29 - Midsummer Faire - Booth August Blog • Social Media & Print • Solid Waste • Monthly Topic – Myth: recycling doesn’t get recycled • Monthly topic - electronics Events & Days of Note • August 1: Night to Unite/National Night Out September Blog • Social Media & Print • Solid Waste • Monthly Topic - batteries • Monthly Topic – Myth: recycling uses more energy than it saves • Monthly Topic – Rosemount City Cleanup Events & Days of Note • September 4 – Labor Day • September 23 – first day of fall • September 30 – National Public Lands Day October Blog • Social Media & Print • City Newsletter – winter preview o Smart Salting BMPs o All other required MS4 Permit topics not covered in previous newsletters  Pet waste  Road salt/smart salting  IDDE  Special Topics – yard waste, Landscaping for Clean Water Solid Waste • Monthly Topic – Myth: recycling is pulled out at the landfill • Monthly Topic – Host a candy wrapper box • Monthly Topic – medicine disposal • Monthly Topic – City Cleanup • Monthly Topic – Farmington Halloween Costume Swap • Event Promotion – City Cleanup • Event promotion – Farmington Costume Swap • Event Promotion – Pumpkin Collection Events & Days of Note • October is National Energy Awareness Month November Blog • Social Media & Print • Solid Waste • Monthly Topic – Myth: if it has the arrows, it’s recyclable • Monthly Topic – Furniture repair/donation • Monthly Topic – holiday lights • Monthly Topic – Winter clothing swap • Event Promotion – America Recycles Day • Event Promotion – Holiday light collection • Event Promotion – Winter Clothing Swap Events & Days of Note • November 7 – Election Day • November 11 – Veterans Day • November 15 – America Recycles Day • November 23 – Thanksgiving • TBD – Steeple Center Tree Lighting December Blog • Social Media & Print • Solid Waste • Monthly Topic - Packaging • Monthly Topic – holiday lights • Event Promotion – holiday lights Events & Days of Note • December 21 – First day of winter • December 25 – Christmas Day General Guidelines for the Conserve & Preserve Blog • Articles: o Be 2-4 paragraphs in length o Provide at 3-5 actionable environmental tips o Include links of where to go for more information (city, county, state, etc.) o Include images (or ideas for them), as appropriate • Lead author drafts article and sends to Jane Byron for review • Jane will route internally for review, as appropriate, and send it to city Communications Coordinator for city distribution on social media and blog. Conserve & Preserve Blog Review Location: https://www.rosemountmn.gov/709/Conserve-and-Preserve-Blog Topics: 2022 to date: • Dec 9: Smart Salting • Nov 4: Energy Audits • Oct 4: We Are Water display • Sept 8: Leave some Debris for the bees • Aug 22: Adopt-a-Drain • Aug1: Food Waste Drop Site in Rosemount • July 1: Pack a low waste picnic • May 25: Green Mowing Strategies • May 1: No Mow May • April 1: connection between water conservation and energy consumption • March 11: Plastic recycling • Feb 2: Thinking about reuse when spring cleaning • Jan 3: Radon action Month 2021: • Nov: energy savings on holiday lights • Oct: What to do with fall leaves • Sept: ESC survey • July: event promotion for Leprechaun Days booth • June: Fireworks etiquette • May: water irrigation improvements • April: starting a vegetable garden • March: Can I recycle this? • Feb: Winter composting • Jan: reducing energy use in winter Subscribers including some staff and commissioners: 78 Analytics: See attached graphic Page visits: 1,010 - Lower numbers in September and October may be a reflection of a change in how new blog posts were noticed. For those two months, the blog was not posted to the News & Highlights section on the front page of the website. During this time, blog entry notices were sent to subscribers to the blog only. The City has switched back to posting on the front page of the website for November. Unique views: 872 Average time on page: 4:55 - This length of time indicates that visitors are likely reading at least one blog post