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Greetings Saint Anthony Mayor and City Council! My name is Nick Voss, MN GreenCorps 'Living Green' member at Saint Anthony Village for the 2012/2013 service year. I graduated from Bethel University in 2010 with a double major in Environmental Science and Reconciliation Studies, and a minor in Philosophy. My professional career so far has taken me to the U of MN Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, Belize, and the nonprofit Metro Blooms in Minneapolis. I'm excited to learn from this opportunity and serve Saint Anthony in furthering its mission in sustainability. Equipped with mentors, training, and support from the MPCA who coordinates the GreenCorps program, I'm confident that together we'll make substantial strides in sustainability this year. MN GreenCorps is a State AmeriCorps program that is facilitated by the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Because of this, there is no cost to a host site for having a GreenCorps member. As businesses, nonprofits or cities such as Saint Anthony apply to become a GreenCorps host site, the MPCA interviews and delegates members to these host sites for a variety of environmental projects. Member tracts include Waste/Recycling, Clean Energy, Local Foods, Stormwater, and Living Green. Being a Living Green Corps member, I get to pursue a variety of projects from multiple tracts, forming a wholesome all-around mission in sustainability. All of my projects will require appropriately planned education and outreach, with detailed documentation to ensure success. What's more is that asking, "How will Saint Anthony sustain my projects come the end of my service year" will be a regular, ongoing dialogue between me and my supervisors. Saint Anthony's GreenCorps Projects include: - Recycling o Improve rates and volumes through data collection, education and outreach, and consolidating resources from Ramsey and Hennepin Counties. o Coordinate with schools, multi -family complexes, and trash haulers to specify recycling improvement strategies and put them to action. Bio manipulation at Silver Lake: o Coordinate Carp removal with Rice Creek Watershed, Three Rivers Park District, the DNR, and local commercial fish processors. o Support efforts with education and outreach for rainbarrels, raingardens, and shoreline restoration to ensure healthy, holistic, and long lasting impact on Silver Lake. Stormwater BMP (Best Management Practice) education, planning, and implementation o Integrate resources from Rice Creek Watershed and Mississippi Watershed Management Organization to install stormwater BMPs and advocate eco -friendly lawn care techniques. o Educate residents to independently take initiative on stormwater issues, and work with local schools to create educational science opportunities from raingardens and BMPs. o Consult with City Engineer (WSB & Associates) for design and implementation of BMPs. - Pet waste education and outreach o Develop an educational campaign concerning pet waste and its implications on water quality. Work with local businesses and residents to build community collaboration and improved public and private pet waste practices. I want to thank the council for this opportunity to gain such valuable work experience that also helps Saint Anthony make progressive strides. Facilitating and fostering Saint Anthony's existing eager environmental initiatives will be a joy for the community and will yield measurable outcomes for Saint Anthony's environment. I look forward to getting to know the city and its residents more in depth in the coming year, and I'm honored to come along side Saint Anthony's rich and progressive history as a "Village in the City". Feel free to contact me for any questions, concerns, or general updates to stay connected and involved. Thanks again! Nick Voss Office: (612) 782-3340 Email: nick.vols@ci.saint-anthony.mn.us www.Vca.sfate. mn.us/ m ngreencorps