Questions about GreenStep, IMPACT challenge, and/or Gold Leaf? Stop in!
Welcome to GreenStep Cities & Tribal Nations
Minnesota GreenStep Cities & Tribal Nations is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help communities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. This free continuous improvement program, managed by a public-private partnership, is based upon a menu of 29 optional best practices. Each best practice can be implemented, as decided by elected officials, staff and community members, by completing one or more actions at a 1, 2 or 3-star level, from a list of over 180 actions. These voluntary actions are tailored to Minnesota, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage civic innovation. [More]
Recognition Steps 1-5
Learn about the benefits of program participation, and then
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Build community interest; have program staff visit your community; join GreenStep by adopting a city or Tribal resolution |
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Post brief info on this website about what you've already done; be recognized for implementing between 4 & 8 best practices |
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Implement at your own pace an additional 4 – 8 best practices; complete a handful of high-impact best practice actions (ask us for help) |
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Measure and report on between 7 & 15 performance metrics |
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Show improvement in performance metrics |
Latest Cities & Tribal Nations to Join
News
- Free support from Reuse Minnesota for planning and hosting a clinic in your community
- Itasca Waters practical water wisdom series
As part of GreenStep's efforts to streamline participation and reduce barriers, the GreenStep Cities Steering Committee has adopted new reporting options and requirements for reaching Step 4 and Step 5 of the program in 2026 and beyond.
- Check out the NEW calculator to determine your GreenStep Category of A, B, or C.
Buildings and Lighting
Land Use
Transportation
Environmental Management
Resilient Economic and Community Development
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].
