Environmental Education Toolkits

Congregations Toolkit (pdf)

Community Group Toolkit (pdf)

ECFE Toolkit (pdf)

Youth Toolkit (pdf)

Get involved! Learn about our Green Partners program.

Hennepin County has worked with former Community POWER grant recipients to develop a series of environmental education toolkits that address a variety of environmental issues. The toolkits contain:

The toolkits contain sections on reducing waste, recycling, toxicity reduction and proper disposal of household hazardous waste, energy conservation and improving water quality.

To learn more about the toolkits, please read the user guide below.

Toolkits user guide

Toolkit resources will help your group improve the environment, enjoy a healthier lifestyle, build community and save money. 

Understand the principles of behavior change

Toolkit techniques are based on the latest research into fostering sustainable behavior change:

  1. Build community: It's easier and more fun for people to jump into something new when they see others involved and have an opportunity to share new experiences and ideas.
  2. Make it easy: Give people the tools they need to take action today. People are more likely to stay committed to new practices if they are initially encouraged. 

Visit Fostering Sustainable Behavior - Community-Based Social Marketing for strategies, articles and case studies on motivating sustainable behavior change.

Also see the Psychology of Sustainable Behavior - a handbook introducing research-based tips from psychology to help you in efforts to empower sustainability in your personal life, community and workplace.

Familiarize yourself with the content of the toolkits

The toolkit has five chapters organized by environmental topic: 

  • Reducing Waste
  • Recycling
  • Toxicity Reduction
  • Energy Conservation and Climate Change
  • Protecting Water Resources

Each chapter provides essential background information, facts and statistics, free resources for each topic, and activity ideas. The activities section of each chapter offers ideas for involving others in learning and taking action.

Educate yourself

In order to teach and organize others, you will need to be familiar with the important issues. This toolkit includes background information for each topic area that is the most relevant and accurate for our region.

Build a team

Work with others who are committed to helping the environment. Include the staff, board, and/or volunteers from your group in setting goals and doing the work. 

Don't ignore your self-interest

Consider how an environmental project achieves other goals of your mission, such as attracting new people to your efforts, forming new partnerships, getting media attention or helping you apply for environmental grants.

Gather resources

Order and/or download free materials and handouts that are available for the topic areas covered by your program. Website links identified in each chapter have instructions for ordering the handouts referenced throughout the toolkit. Brochures, factsheets and incentive items from Hennepin County can be ordered at www.hennepin.us/literatureorderform.

Communicate effectively

Build on existing structures, meetings, communication strategies, events and seasons to launch your program. Your program will be more successful if you encourage anyone, no matter where they start or how quickly they move. Use the Quick Facts & Statistics in each chapter of this toolkit to communicate accurate and inspiring messages.

Activate your group

Make actions possible for everyone. For those already committed, use the activities in the toolkit to inspire additional lifestyle changes. For uninterested people, consider how to break down barriers to their involvement. Work through existing networks and organizations that people already trust, get advice from opinion leaders, don’t make assumptions, and get creative in your outreach.

Take advantage of seasonal milestones and environmental holidays when planning your project.

  • World Wetlands Day (February 22)
  • World Water Day 
(March 22)
  • National Environmental 
Education Week 
(April 11-17)
  • Earth Day (April 22)
  • Arbor Day (last Friday in April)
  • National Night Out 
(August)
  • America Recycles Day 
(November 15)

Build commitment

Research on behavior suggests using the following strategies to encourage people to make changes in long-held beliefs and actions:

  • Offer incentives or prizes
  • Use pledges or commitments
  • Create norms
  • Publicly announce and celebrate how people are making changes

Track and celebrate your progress

See the Evaluation Questions for Behavior Change. Collect commitment forms from participating families and individuals. Follow up and support others in their efforts. 

Celebrate! Let members of your group know the impact they are making together.

Additional Resources

These organizations offer free information and resources: