Empowering Communities for Cleaner Air: The AIRNET Project's Collaborative Approach to Local Air Monitoring
Empowering Communities for Cleaner Air: The AIRNET Project
TD Enviro is incredibly excited to be a partner on the AIRNET: Air Monitoring Network and Education Center project in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. This initiative, led by the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and TD Enviro and funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), reflects our shared goal of creating community-driven air quality monitoring projects that help neighborhoods cultivate healthier, more sustainable communities.
Installing an air monitor
AIRNET brings together six community partner organizations: the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI), North End Neighborhood Organization (NENO), Payne-Phalen Community Council (PPCC), Greater East Side Community Council (GESCC), West 7th / Fort Road Federation (FRF), and Union Park District Council (UPDC). The support team, consisting of GPI, TD Enviro, JustAir, and TPTNow share resources and knowledge, and partners are able to access technical guidance and customized training from air monitoring professionals, co-create and share educational materials with other partners, and utilize the skills of TD Enviro’s data scientists in interpreting data and results.
A Collaborative Approach to Cleaner Air
One community workgroup’s air monitoring priorities
Each community partner organization has conducted multiple workgroup meetings with neighborhood residents and technical experts from TD Enviro and GPI. These sessions ensured that each project was designed around the community's input, leading to truly impactful and relevant air quality initiatives that were customized to each neighborhood’s concern, while also considering the concerns of adjacent communities. Workgroups gave input on final air monitoring objectives, pollutants measured, and monitor locations.
Our community partners also guide their own outreach efforts, but are able to draw from each other’s resources and materials and seek assistance from support team partners including TPTNow, the local PBS real-time health, safety, and emergency information channel. TPTNow will also assist in sharing the real-time data from the air monitors, help translate materials, and expand the reach of this work.
Transparent Data for Informed Action
A cornerstone of the AIRNET project is transparent data management and public accessibility. JustAir manages the data platform and public data dashboard (airnet.betterenergy.org), while TD Enviro’s team ensures the accuracy and interpretation of this data. From training community partners on data interpretation, to creating regular quarterly reports on the state of the air in each community, our team will help translate complex scientific information into easily understandable messages. Our goal is to empower residents with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air
The AIRNET project applies many of the lessons our team has learned over the years to create an air quality initiative project that is truly community-led. TD Enviro is honored to contribute our expertise and passion to this effort, working alongside our partners to create a future where everyone has access to clean, healthy air.
Check out the AIRNET data dashboard here
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