Winter in Minnesota brings ice, and even a thin coating can make our sidewalks and roadways treacherous. Spreading salt can melt the ice, but it’s easier to overdo it than you may think. Just a teaspoon of salt can permanently pollute five gallons of water, but each year we scatter an estimated 365,000 tons of salt in the metro area. About 78% of that salt ends up in our water. How can you use salt responsibly?
Twin Cities metro area residents can find out in the City of Minneapolis' Salt mini-course developed by members of Minnesota GreenCorps, an AmeriCorps program coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. MN GreenCorps members serving with the City of Minneapolis developed the course to address the overuse of de-icing salt in the Twin Cities.
The City of Minneapolis has hosted MN GreenCorps members for two years, with projects focused on improving awareness, participation, and engagement with the city’s water resources and educational programs. Current member Léa Payette, for example, has launched an outreach campaign for the salt mini-course, presented on the issue to neighborhoods and high school groups, and is now leading city efforts to access the latest resources for snow and ice removal. She has enjoyed spreading awareness about the best practices for salt application.
“It has been great to connect with Minnesota’s current and future salt stewards!” Léa says.
Starting in September, MN GreenCorps will place up to 48 full-time members with host site organizations around the state. Members help host organizations build capacity and community resilience to a changing climate by reducing air pollutants, addressing disproportionate impacts of pollution, preventing waste, encouraging eco-friendly behavior, and more. In exchange, host organizations supervise members day-to-day and support them in their community-focused environmental projects.
Share this
