Resiliency - the word has such visceral relevance now - is one aspect of community sustainability. In this dire time of the pandemic, we see in MN cities the results of positive community preparation that GreenStep has promoted for ten years.
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
- Download and share the 1-page infographic: "10 Years of GreenStep Impacts & Accomplishments."
- $3 million available through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Apply by 4/20.
- A February 2020 analysis of the benefits from using the closed land for solar panel energy production, from the Council of Development Finance Agencies.
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].
