PLEASE NOTE: Many events are in flux due to Covid-19 containment efforts.
Please use the links in the individual events for updates on their status.
Smart Salting Training Classes
Various November & December Dates – see individual classes for dates and registration links.
If you are an MS4 permittee, one way to meet the new requirements is to have your winter maintenance staff, or those you contract for winter maintenance, attend an appropriate MPCA Smart Salting Certification training class. The trainings touch on the new requirements and offers practical and technical information for better application and maintenance practices, salt storage, policy examples, and resources for community outreach
Smart Salting for Parking Lots & Sidewalks
Learn practical, more efficient winter maintenance practices for parking lots and sidewalks that can help save on costs and time while minimizing environmental impacts.
Who:
- Hands-on public or private winter maintenance staff (e.g., staff at parks, hospitals, or colleges)
- Those who hire or supervise winter maintenance staff
- Private contractors
When:
- Thursday, December 9 Register HERE
Smart Salting for Roads
Learn how to integrate science with practical winter maintenance on roads while minimizing impacts on the environment. Covers technical aspects such as application rates, calibration, using weather conditions to more accurately plan and apply, converting to de-icing and anti-icing, storage and more.
Who:
- City, county, or state plow drivers
- Private winter maintenance contractors and staff
When:
Smart Salting for Property Management
Learn how to reduce damages caused by salt, that reducing salt use can save money while providing safe surfaces, ways to encourage your maintenance crew to use sustainable practices, address liability concerns, and the basics of snow and ice management tools.
Annual property damage from salt use is high. Uncover ways to use less salt safely on your properties by getting Smart Salt certified. Hear more: Smart Salting training for property management video!
Who:
- Management-level property managers
- Environmental professionals and advocates
- Business owners
- MS4 and Wastewater permit staff
When:
- No additional classes are currently scheduled
Smart Salting Assessment tool Level 2 Certification Training
In the 2020 MS4 General Permit, all MS4 permittees have new requirements that promote deicing salt reduction. Further, new supplementary chloride requirements apply to over 100 MS4 permittees, who have an applicable waste load allocation (WLA). This is where further reductions in chloride pollutant loading is required. Permittees subject to a WLA are required to:
- Document the amount of deicer applied each winter maintenance season to all permittee owned/operated surfaces. (Permit item 22.5)
- Conduct an assessment of the permittee’s winter maintenance operations to reduce the amount of deicing salt applied to permittee owned/operated surfaces, and determine current and future opportunities to improve BMPs. The permittee may actively use the Agency’s Smart Salting Assessment Tool or other available resources and methods to complete and document an assessment. (Permit item 22.6)
The MPCA Stormwater and Chloride Reduction Programs are hosting a Smart Salting Assessment tool (SSAt) Level 2 certification training. The tool helps assess and track your winter maintenance practices, with custom efficiency recommendations that reduce de-icing salt and save money, while tracking annual progress.
Who:
- Winter maintenance leadership
- Public works managers
- Superintendents
- Business owners
When:
- Wednesday, December 8 Register HERE
Visit the MPCA Smart Salting Training website for the training calendar and list of certificate holders.
Questions about the trainings? Email smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us.
Lawns to Legumes Webinars
Blue Thumb is hosting Lawns to Legumes webinars. Visit their events page for a complete list of webinar workshops: https://bluethumb.org/events/
Recap of Earth Chapters
Did you miss the April 2020 series of Earth Chapters webinars hosted by Pollinator Friendly Alliance? Listen and watch replays of these talks on topics that include increasing biodiversity in your backyard, tips on buckthorn removal, organic lawn care and a variety of other themes. Each Earth Chapter features 2 presenters with questions at the end. Below are the topics and links to these wonderfully informative presentations on You Tube. You can also go to the Pollinator Friendly Alliance’s website for other recorded talks, workshops and presentations at https://www.pollinatorfriendly.org/videos-and-talks
Backyard Biodiversity for Pollinators with Laurie Schneider, Pollinator Friendly Alliance
Native Plants for a Biodiverse Backyard with Bre Bauerly, Minnesota Native Landscapes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgdYPganYVk&feature=youtu.be
Attract Hummingbirds to Your Backyard with Carol Henderson, Bird & Wildlife Biologist
Fruiting Shrubs for Wildlife with Pete Widin, MLA, ASLA, Artisan Environments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-2lxDujGGE&feature=youtu.be
Monarch Conservation with Katie-Lyn Bunney, Monarch Joint Venture
Groundwater Conservation with Lauren Haydon-Dries, Washington Conservation District
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyRB7LJdwv4&feature=youtu.be
Ecological Regenerative Lawns with Bob Dahm, Organic Bob’s
How Do We Save Endangered Pollinators with Erik Runquist, Minnesota Zoo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax-ula983O8&feature=youtu.be
Buckthorn Removal & Woodland Understory Diversity with Bre Bauerly, Minnesota Native Landscapes.
How to Help Injured Spring Wildlife with Tami Vogel, Minnesota Wildlife Rehab Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01E_NvQgHHA&feature=youtu.be
Unsung Heros – Beneficial Insects with Margot Monson
Bat Conservation with Melissa Boman, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00Ebtb-Ztxc&feature=youtu.be
Geologic History of the St. Croix River with Jim Almendinger, Ph.D., Executive Director, St. Croix Watershed Research Station
Early Spring Bees with Heather Holm, Biologist, Author.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lLaQpyavB4&feature=youtu.be
Soil Health: Nature’s Medicine with Dr. Ann Marie Journey, Soil Health Specialist.
Sheet Composting Soil Preparation with Bob Dahm, Organic Bob’s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g8_7AqkxyM&feature=youtu.be