MANKATO — For 20 years, Living Earth Center’s Earth Conference has brought people together to exchange ideas, inspire action and build relationships rooted in conservation, community well-being and Earth stewardship in the Mankato area.
Organizers of this year’s conference will be laying the foundation for a local-rooted alliance of individuals and organizations committed to a healthy planet and a healthy community.
The conference is slated 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 1 in Room 245 at Minnesota State University’s Centennial Student Union.
Individuals and organizations interested in being part of Mankato Area Earth Coalition will work together at the conference to create the organization’s structure, guiding principles and communication approaches as well as discuss a roadmap for building momentum.
General admission is $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Student tickets cost $15. To register online, go to: livingearthcentermn.org.
Some scholarships will be available.
For more information, contact Living Earth Center, 1603 N. Riverfront Drive, or call 507-389-4272.
Waste collection site’s season ends soon
Summer hours end Oct. 30 at the Blue Earth County Household Hazardous Waste Facility and Product Reuse Center, 651 Summit Ave. Residents of Blue Earth County, Le Sueur County and Nicollet County may use the free service at 651 Summit Avenue.
HHW facility’s hours this week are: noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday; noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Eligible residents may drop off their household hazardous waste during open hours without an appointment. Proof of residency must be shown.
The program is designed to accept waste from households only, not from businesses or institutions. Items accepted include farm chemicals from Blue Earth County farmers.
To be accepted for distribution through the reuse center, household products should be in their original containers and, if possible, have labels attached. Examples of items accepted include paints, stains, household cleaners, automotive products, batteries and yard/garden chemicals. There is no fee for this service.
For more information, about the HHW facility, call Blue Earth County Property and Environmental Resources office at 507-304-4251 or visit: blueearthcountymn.gov/HHW.
Volunteer help needed during tax season
The IRS and its community partners rely on volunteers to support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. For over 50 years, the free services have helped prepare millions of tax returns.
Local VITA and TCE sites will be available for individuals and families who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Volunteers also help populations such as people with disabilities, limited English speakers as well as people age 65 and older.
The IRS offers free specialized training to volunteers, who often range from high school students to retirees. Available volunteer positions are not limited to tax preparation and can include greeters, marketing specialists and IT troubleshooters. Tax professionals may earn CPE credits for their volunteer service.
The application is now open. To learn more about becoming a VITA/TCE volunteer, visit: IRS.gov/volunteers. Approximately 14 days after signing up, the IRS will provide a list of available local VITA/TCE sites and an invitation to a virtual orientation.