Minnesota DNR hosts webinar on the role of state fish hatcheries, BearWise

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the spring program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webinar series.

On Wednesday, May 7, join Genevieve Furtner, DNR St. Paul fish hatchery supervisor, for a talk about fish production and a virtual tour of the DNR St. Paul fish hatchery that will show more about the important role hatcheries play in fisheries management.

Then, on Wednesday, May 14, Andrew Tri, DNR bear researcher and Franklin Whittaker, BearWise coordinator, will discuss how to be BearWise, keep your property safe, and keep bears wild. As we move into late spring, hibernation is over, and bears are out and about. Hear some simple tips on how to coexist with bears and keep property secure.

The Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webinars are free and offered year-round, though registration is required. Visit the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.

NOTE:  Although this webinar is not listed - just click the Registration Button, that page will list it.  OR click HERE to go right to the registration page.

by Tom Dimond

Notice: Canceled May Environment Committee
We do not have a need for a meeting in May.

Updates:

• We have not heard back yet on our State Grant Request.  If we are approved to submit a detailed Grant Request, we will welcome help in pulling it together.
  
  
• Community members have led cleanup efforts.  Conway was led by Sannah. Pig's Eye Park and the Sam Morgen Trail have been worked on by community members,
  
  
• The Fish Hatchery held an open house for the public.  They are seeking funds to upgrade equipment that is very dated.  The Fish Hatchery in our District is the first one established by the State.
  
  
• The City and District Council are willing to assist neighborhood residents who want to pick up trash from City parks and roadsides.  At Pig's Eye we collect the trash and call it in.  The City comes out and picks it up.  They can provide trash bags and gloves.  They take tires with the trash.  It is limited to public property cleanup.
  
  
• Among the many great sights at Pig's Eye we saw Geese swimming with their tiny young and a Beaver lying on top of the lodge soaking in the sun.  The Bald Eagles have a number of active nests.  It is best to stay back from their nest because they might abandon it.

Thanks to all of your work to make our neighborhood a better place.

Ramsey County is launching the Re-Imagination Resource Center, a new initiative aimed at strengthening local Business Community Organizations (BCOs) by enhancing their capacity and expanding their services to better support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
 
This resource center will focus on three key areas:

1. Enhancing Technical Capabilities – Supporting the development of new and existing technical skills within BCOs.
2. Expanding Training & Mentorship – Strengthening training and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs and business owners.
3. Providing Financial Assistance – Offering additional financial support to participants who successfully complete their training.

 
To ensure the program effectively addresses the needs of BCOs, the solicitation process will begin with a Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights on current challenges and priorities. The findings from the RFI will help shape the program's design. A more formal Request for Proposal (RFP) will follow, inviting BCOs to participate in the initiative.
 
We encourage you to contribute to this effort by completing the attached RFI (see below). Please follow the provided instructions and adhere to the submission timeline. Your input is essential in shaping a program that truly meets the needs of our business community. Responses are due back April 29th.
 
Fabio Tenorio    
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Manager
Community & Economic Development   |   Economic Growth and Community Investment
651-509-4429
15 West Kellogg Boulevard, 250 Courthouse, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102
Ramsey County

Board Member Elections & Annual MeetingHave you considered becoming a part of the SoutEast Community Organization (SECO)/District 1 board? Now's the time!  We need people like YOU to make a positive difference in our community.  The SECO Board works to make the neighborhood a better place! We talk to the City and County, to neighbors, hold public events and forums, and work with small businesses. We network with community partners of all kinds. [Learn more about the Board]

We are accepting nominations for seven of our board positions between now and Wednesday April 23rd.  If you are interested just fill out the Online Form and get your name on the ballot!  After that comes the election (April 24-28) and then the announcement of the new Board Members at our Annual Meeting on Monday, April 28.

Here is the election timeline:

• Start accepting nominations Wednesday, April 9
• Close nominations Wednesday, April 23
• Election online  Thursday, April 24 through Monday, April 28 at noon.
• Election in person Sunday, April 27 from 1 to 4 at the SECO office
• Election in person Monday, April 28 from 4 to 6 at the SECO office (day of the Annual meeting)
• Annual meeting Monday, April 28-starting at 6 pm.  We will finish counting ballots and announce election results! Held at the SECO office in the NW corner of Sunray Shopping Center.

Qualifications include: 
Must be at least 16 years old and reside, go to school or work in the district. [See Boundaries] Must commit to attending and participating in 7 of the 10 meetings (held the 4th Monday of the month) and assisting with projects.

Thinking this may be something for you?  Interested in giving back to our great community and making it even better?  Learn more about the board by clicking the link above, explore the website and then click over to the online form (link above), fill it out and submit yourself for nomination to be on the Board!

The Board of the Southeast Community Organization (SECO) is looking for new members.
We need your help! 

To apply fill out the form here:  https://bit.ly/3Q0GLny

Our board may have up to 15 members and we have elections every April. Terms are two years and we elect up to half the board each time. When we have open positions (not enough candidates, or someone resigns) we appoint new people to fill the board terms. 

The board meets 10 times a year, and meets on the evening of the 4th Monday of the month. Meetings are hybrid in-person and via Zoom. We ask each board member be active on a committee, help with regular community activities (newsletter distribution, getting out the word on events), and assisting with volunteer events (like the annual Drop Off Day). We estimate that this will take between 4 and 10 hours per month.

To be on our board you have to be at least 16 years old and live or work in the neighborhoods of Highwood, Battle Creek, Conway, or Eastview. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have questions or would like to meet!!

As of January 2025 we have several board positions to fill. People who express interest in filling these positions will be contacted and asked to come to a board meeting. The Executive Committee of the board, along with the Executive Director, will present the board with a recommendation and the board will vote on the new board candidate. The terms being filled now are 1-2 year terms.

When:  April 23, 2022

What: Southeast Community Organization (SECO) is partnering with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and Public Works for the 36th annual Citywide Spring Cleanup. Individuals and groups of all ages come together to pick up litter that has recently become exposed due to the melting snow.
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How: Participating is easy! Register online at stpaul.gov/citywidecleanup, then drop by Conway Park, 2090 Conway Street (at the parking lot on the east side of the recreation center) any time between 9am-11:30am on April 23 to check in and pick up bags and gloves. Then head out and clean up around Conway Park, the Sun Ray Library grounds, or the area streets and other public spaces!

The SECO Board of Directors will be making a change to the organization's by-laws at the next Board Meeting on Monday, Feburary 28. The change pertains to steps that must be followed when a board member is removed from their position, and later wishes to return.
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SECO Board Meetings are held online via Zoom. The link and other information can be found on our organizations website at southeastside.org.

On April 12, SECO was joined by Sr. Commander Kurt Hallstrom, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Prince to discuss the issue of catalytic converter thefts. 

This link will take you to the recorded Zoom video of this meeting.

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