What is GreenStep Cities?

Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of 28 best practices. Each best practice can be implemented by completing one or more specific actions from a list of four to eight actions. These actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage innovation. [Read more]

Be a GreenStep City

Learn about the benefits and what's required, and then ...

	Build some interest (anyone can do this); have someone visit your city
	Have your city council approve a resolution to work toward Greenstep recognition (use a sample resolution)
	Post some info about your city and what you've already done (easy)
	Work on GreenStep best practices (the hard and rewarding part)
	Get recognized for your work each June and share knowledge on this web site with other cities (easy)
[ Read more: Steps ]

News	NextStep Calendar
Strong Town Booklet -- View this MN-grown model for growth that allows towns to become financially strong & resilient - http://www.strongtowns.org/companion-booklet Ongoing Web Site Enhancements -- Star-rating guidance is slowly being added for each action; suggestions welcomed.

Is your city a greenstep city?

LATEST CITIES TO JOIN THE GREENSTEP PROGRAM (and date joined)

Richfield	(1/10/12)
Victoria	(1/9/12)
Hanover	(1/3/12)
Rosemount	(12/20/11)
Rogers	(12/13/11)
White Bear Lake	(12/13/11)
Warren	(9/13/11)
Austin	(7/18/11)
Shorewood	(6/27/11)
Delano	(6/21/11)
Eden Prairie	(6/14/11)
Apple Valley	(6/9/11)
Farmington	(5/2/11)
Oakdale	(3/8/11)
Arlington	(3/7/11)

[See all 38 cities]

Who can help?

Talk to best practice advisors.

Show all Cities

See which cities have implemented which best practices.

GreenStep’s Best Practices

[ Read more: See all 28 Best Practices ]
Buildings and Lighting Efficient Existing Public Buildings Efficient Existing Private Buildings New Green Buildings Efficient Building & Street Lighting and Signals Building Reuse	Land Use Comprehensive Plan and Implementation Efficient City Growth Mixed Uses Efficient Highway-Oriented Development Conservation Design	Transportation Complete Green Streets Mobility Options Efficient City Fleets Demand-Side Travel Planning	Environmental Management Purchasing Urban Forests Efficient Stormwater Management Parks and Trails Surface Water Quality Efficient Water and Wastewater Facilities Septic Systems Solid Waste Reduction Local Air Quality	Economic and Community Development Benchmarks & Community Engagement Green Business Development Renewable Energy Local Food Business Synergies

Minnesota GreenStep Cities grew out of a report to the 2009 Legislature. Governed by a public-private partnership of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and several partner organizations, the program is led by the MPCA. [ Read more ]

What is GreenStep Cities?

Be a GreenStep City

News

Who can help?

Show all Cities

GreenStep’s Best Practices