Storm drains are drains found on streets, curbs, sidewalks and on other impervious surfaces to prevent flooding and divert rainwater and melted snow off the streets and into the Mississippi and other local water bodies. Storm drains fulfill an important purpose but can harm water quality because the water they collect, and all the pollutants it carries, goes untreated into the Mississippi and other local water bodies. Too many leaves or debris around/entering the storm drain causes excess nutrients, sediments, and pollutants to enter the river. As water runs across landscapes and streets into storm drains, it picks up and carries away pollutants such as cigarette butts, trash, salt, vehicle fluids or yard waste. These pollutants, sediments, nutrients and bacteria can have harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. This contaminated, untreated water eventually makes its way into the Mississippi River where it contaminates water, reduces water quality and clarity, and can cause harm to fish and wildlife.
More than 50 communities rely on the Mississippi for daily water supply (NPS), thus we must keep our storm drains CLEAN and CLEAR from all debris! Excess leaves and debris around storm drains can also clog and flood the drains and the surrounding area. The University of Minnesota's commitment to addressing storm water runoff from campus, as detailed in the campus-specific Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP), is to reduce pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.
YOU can help alleviate this problem by sweeping leaves and debris AWAY from storm drains and streets, inspect and clear storm drains periodically, and notify the city if any repair or replacement is needed! Learn more about stormwater at the University of Minnesota at: http://z.umn.edu/stormwater!
April is Earth Month! Check out our frequently updated list of events to get involved. Check it out.
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is hiring a Sustainability Data and Project Manager! Search Job ID # 360205 at hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Find-Job for more information and to apply.
Join us Friday, March 22nd from 10-11am for a chat from sustainable aviation fuel experts!
We'll be hearing from three speakers, Pat Gruber, CEO of Gevo, Shiri Ramaswamy, professor in Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at UMN, and William Northrop, professor in Mechanical Engineering at UMN.
Apply today for the Student Sustainability Communications Assistant position! Learn more
Join the Twin Cities Sustainability Committee (TCSC)! The committee was launched in the fall of 2021 with a charge of guiding the MPact 2025 goal to “Build a fully sustainable future” as stated in the Systemwide Strategic Plan. Moving forward, the committee’s work will advise the Twin Cities Office of Sustainability on all activities, inclusive of operations, teaching, research, and outreach. This committee is open to staff, faculty, undergraduate & graduate students. Apply by 4/1.
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University of Minnesota Twin Cities has won the 2023 GameDay Football Zero Waste Touchdown Challenge in the Food Organics Per Capita category!
This achievement underscores our commitment to waste reduction, putting sustainability at the forefront of our athletic spaces.
The 2023-2024 Systemwide Sustainability Report for the University of Minnesota Board of Regents is now available!
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is aiming to make public buildings like hospitals and schools more resilient against future disasters by paying to install solar panels when they are rebuilt. Read more
Join us for the Climate Resilience & Adaptation Open House!
Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, 3-5pm
1425 University Ave, room 175
Your opinion matters! Join the Office of Sustainability on Wednesday, February 21st from 3pm to 5pm at 1425 University Ave to review and provide insights on the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan objectives and strategies. We want to hear what you think - tell us what we missed or what resonates with you. Open house format - come and go as you please. Light refreshments provided.
Fall 2023 Sustainability Advocates from SUST3480 conducted a recent Campus Engagement Project at the University of Minnesota aimed to improve the satisfaction and sustainability of the campus transportation system (Gopher Trip). They distributed a Sustainable Transportation Survey, gathering responses from 57 students to assess current challenges and future possibilities.