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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 30, 2008 <br /> <br />6. DISCUSSION ITEMS <br /> <br />A. Blue Thumb Program – Dawn Pape <br /> <br />Mr. Asleson stated the Environmental Board is looking for ways to <br />promote clean water issues. One of the goals the board would like to <br />adopt is the Blue Thumb Program. Ms. Dawn Pape from Rice Creek <br />Watershed District (RCWD) created this program. <br /> <br />Ms. Pape presented a Power Point presentation to the board on the Blue <br />Thumb Program. Thus far, there is not a city within the Rice Creek <br />Watershed District that is a member at this time. Blue Thumb helps meet <br />the Clean Water Act federal mandates. Ms. Pape stated that mostly this is <br />a web based program, blue-thumb.org or bluethumb.org. The main <br />categories on this site are Native Gardens, Rain Gardens and Shoreline <br />Stabilization. There are 43 partners that have joined this program within <br />the last year. She stated these ideas are catching on like recycling in the <br />80’s. There is an awareness that people are just starting to understand. <br />There is a 10 minute overview video that explains the steps of shoreland <br />restoration. Blue Thumb has a train the trainer program. There are many <br />events that take place through the year such as, state and county fairs, <br />green fairs, etc. She stated Blue Thumb is a finalist for the Minnesota <br />Environmental Initiative Award. Blue Thumb partners are expected to <br />donate $1,500 each year or complete a minimum of 30 “action hours” <br />during 2008. Action hours are defined as any action that promotes or <br />furthers the development of the Blue Thumb program. She handed out <br />Blue Thumb project ideas for 2008. The next partner meeting will be held <br />on June 13. Each partner keeps track of their own hours and description <br />of what they do. There is no minimum of hours. Ms. Pape stated that Ms. <br />Brouillet could be trained to give presentations on the Blue Thumb <br />Program. She stated neighborhoods could also be partners with this <br />program. Ms. Bor questioned if the cost share program exists or did it go <br />away. Ms. Pape stated at the time it is on hold due to staff. <br /> <br />B. Earth Day Wrap-up <br /> <br />Mr. Asleson stated that the Earth Day turnout was very successful. Mr. <br />John VonDeLinde accepted a $300,000 grant from Edith Wargo, wife of <br />Joseph Wargo at the Wargo Nature Center Earth Day celebration. There <br />were many informative booths on display. A Goetz Landscape <br />representative, who had a booth at Earth Day, stated he would like to talk <br />to the Environmental Board regarding environmental benefits of using <br />slow release fertilizer. <br /> <br />2 DRAFT MINUTES