Description
In Minnesota winters, when it comes to salt, we’ve traditionally considered “when in doubt, put it out” as the way to deal with snow and ice. However, that mindset has led to property and infrastructure damage, ecological degradation and drinking water contamination. Recent studies have shown using more salt does not keep us safer or melt ice faster and many of us don’t know what kind of salt we should be using, how much to use, where to apply it or when to use it. Without affordable solutions to treat contaminated water, prevention is the best defense against further damage and contamination. We will provide an introduction to salts and chloride pollution, discuss alternatives to traditional salt deicers and share insights from their work hosting a chloride-free demonstration site and developing behavior change programming pilots for both residents and downtown businesses. You’ll leave with resources to help you become a Smart Salter and learn about how you can pick up a FREE Smart Salting kit!
OUR PRESENTERS
Sadie Neuman
Sadie currently serves as a Minnesota GreenCorps member with the City of Rochester’s Public Works Environmental Services. She recently returned to southeastern Minnesota after receiving a dual MPA-MSES degree from the O’Neill School at Indiana University where she concentrated in natural resources and water management. Her work at the city focuses on water quality improvement through comprehensive planning, inclusive community engagement, behavior change programming, and ecological restoration.
Jason Schmidt
Jason is part of the newly created Facilities and Property Management Department with the City of Rochester. Jason came to Rochester in 2015 with the airline industry and has spent nearly a decade working in the chloride-free winter maintenance environment of airports across the nation. His work at the city focuses on affordable and sustainable practices to care for our organization’s sites and facilities inside and out. Jason is also the operator of the city’s first chloride-free winter maintenance program.