Update on Various Natural Resources Based Projects through the Resilient Communities Project (and Check-In with EPB Work Plan)

The City was selected as the Community Partner by the University of Minnesota's Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the 2017-2018 school year.  The City proposed approximately twenty (20) potential projects to RCP ranging from in topics from housing to water supply to natural resources.  RCP than seeks out upper level undergraduate and masters level courses that may be a good match for the various projects.  With significant oversight by the professors, student groups work on a project, or an aspect of a project, as part of their coursework. 

Several projects focused on natural resources have been successfully matched with courses for the fall semester.  Note that Student groups are actively working on the following projects:

• Integrating Resources into Our Future (Natural Resources Management and Outreach Plan): RCP #6
  • Terrestrial Resources
  • Water Resources
• Restoring Our Edge (Mississippi Shoreline Plan): RCP #18
• Protecting Our Investments: Tree Inventory: RCP #1B
• Will the Faucet Turn On? (Water Conservation Outreach and Strategies): RCP #14

Courses that are working on RCP projects range from Land Use Planning to Designing Planning and Participation Processes to Sustainable Land Use Planning and Policy.  There is a wide range of student backgrounds and disciplines that the City now has access to along with the enthusiasm and 'out of the box' thinking of the students. 

Outcomes of these various projects will be instrumental in accomplishing some of the tactics in the EPB's 2017-2019 Work Plan and/or completing updates to the Comprehensive Plan.  Staff will be extending formal invitations to student groups for them to attend a future EPB meeting to present their work (potentially the December meeting).  While not a requirement for the coursework, this not only helps bring the EPB up to speed on items outlined in the Work Plan, but also provides the students some 'real world' experience in presenting their project.

Three of the RCP projects directly relate to the EPB Work Plan.  RCP project #s 6, 14 and 18 each play into items on the approved Work Plan.  Participating in RCP provides additional capacity to work toward accomplishing the tactics outlined in the work plan that likely would sit stagnant otherwise. 

While not being addressed by RCP, the final item on the work plan focuses on implementation of an organics recycling opportunity.  The pilot program has been in full operation now for approximately three (3) months and there are fifty-one (51) individuals that have signed up for the program.  Through September, 1,703 pounds of organic waste have been diverted from the garbage to recycling (equivalent of 0.85 tons!).  This pilot program appears to have been well received by the community and hopefully will continue to grow.

 

No action needed; this is for informational purposes only.