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Welcome to GreenStep Cities
Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities 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 city elected officials, staff and community members, by completing one or more actions at a 1, 2 or 3-star level, from a list of four to eight actions. These voluntary actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, 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 city; join GreenStep by adopting a city resolution |
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Post brief info on this web site 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 city performance metrics |
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Show improvement in city performance metrics |
News
- NOAA and NIHHIS-CAPA supported mapping for urban heat islands
- Annual conference hosted by UofM Water Resources Center
- Free training for forestry and natural resource managers in the Midwest.
- University of Minnesota partnership on student/faculty research and technical assistance.
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].
