Sustainability and our environment
Together we can make a difference
The City is working to create an ever more sustainable
future
Environmental consciousness, energy conservation and sustainable objectives are nothing new
in Bloomington. Early efforts preserved one-third of the community as parks and open space.
In so doing, important, often fragile, rivers, bluffs, lakes, ponds and wetlands were
protected from development.
The City's history of good stewardship provides a foundation of leadership to
sustainability. Efforts today continue to move us toward an ever more sustainable future.
Protecting our natural resources
These ongoing City efforts have helped to preserve and protect our natural resources:
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Constructing
permeable asphalt parking lots and rain gardens to allow infiltration of rainwater
into existing soils, reducing runoff by as much as 90%.
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Converting manicured turf
to swathes of natural prairie, a landscape similar to 150 years ago.
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Testing low-maintenance fescue
grass, with the hope of using it to reduce maintenance activities and cost.
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Employing well-trained forestry professionals, planting new trees throughout the city
for more than 25 years, encouraging residents to plant trees via an annual tree sale -
and, as a result, receiving a "Tree City" designation for the
last 20 years.
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Developing a comprehensive storm water quality improvement program.
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Upgrading the storm water system to improve capacity and water quality.
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Completing a comprehensive water and wetlands study that resulted in a wetland
buffering program.
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Requiring retailers selling fertilizer to offer phosphorus-free products.
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Increasing street sweeping to reduce runoff into water bodies.
Long-term stewardship
Stewardship leads to increased service and energy efficiency. The City's efforts include:
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Replacing major facilities with more energy-efficient buildings.
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Using a bio diesel blend in 100 percent of our total diesel consumption.
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Purchasing vehicles that use E-85 and hybrid vehicles.
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Enacting a vehicle idling policy for all City vehicles to address two major concerns
facing the City - air pollution and vehicle fuel expense.
Planning initiatives and projects that support sustainability
The Mayor, on sustainability
YOU can improve our environment
Latest tips for concerned citizens
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Avoid
being greenwashed!
Greenwashing is the act of falsely claiming that a product or
service is "green." This PDF offers advice about how you and your company can actually
help care for the environment.
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Visit
Ramsey
County's "Green Gatherings" Web site
Want to make your upconming events more green? This Web site has lots of
easy-to-use information from folks who have hosted large and small events. From a
business meeting to a block party to a festival or convention, you CAN make a
difference. Plunge in, give it a try ... every little bit helps!
You may think that you don't have the time or the resources to make much of a difference -
but one person truly can help. Take a look at the resources listed below for steps you can
take to improve the environment.
In your own home and
yard
In your community
Links to other governmental sites
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