Enter/update government-owned building information and monthly usage data into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and utilize building/energy audits to identify potential improvements.
- Action 1:City Detail
Background Information
City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics
City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.
Assessment File
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 21Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
In 2012, FDL partnered with Minnesota Power to conduct energy savings audits on commercial buildings.
In 2015, FDL partnered with Noresco to perform an energy savings audit on FDL owned buildings. Twenty buildings were identified as having the greatest need for energy conservation measures including water, lighting, boilers, controls, and air handling unit efficiency upgrades.
Noresco upgrades save FDL $722,403 annually with a total payback period of about 6 years. This project alone can account for a 25% energy savings.
Benchmarking in the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking Database is continuing and will be used to guide future efficiency upgrades and energy decisions.
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Invest in larger energy efficiency projects through performance contracting or other funding or through smaller retro-commissioning/retrofit projects in city-owned/school buildings.
- Action 3:Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Document that the new construction or major remodeling of a public building has met the SB 2030 energy standard or has met or qualified under a green building or energy framework.
- Action 5:Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}
Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a future land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity.
- Action 1:Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
Locate or lease a property for use as a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:
- Action 2:Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112
Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}
Support and protect wildlife through habitat rehabilitation, preservation and recognition programs.
- Action 7:One such program is Fond du Lac’s Invasive Species Department, which currently manages more than 116 acres of land to mitigate the spread of non-native species to other parts of the Reservation. Seasonally, Fond du Lac’s Invasive Species Program removes terrestrial and aquatic non-native species which are harmful to native wildlife. For example, during the warm months, the department removes mystery snails and purple loosestrife from lakes and waterways; two species which harm native waterfowl. The Invasive Species program is focused on the balance and protection of native species versus the eradication of non-local ones. Therefore, the invasive program also focuses largely on monitoring strategies as a part of its population control. Additionally, the Invasive Species Program recently implemented a pollinator corridor restoration project, where native plant seeds were planted over a previously infested site to benefit Minnesota’s pollinators.
Regional wildlife is also supported by the Fond du Lac Fisheries Department. For over 20 years, the Fisheries Department has overseen a Lake Sturgeon Restoration Project on the St. Louis River. This project involves stocking Lake Sturgeon, then monitoring this unique population as these fish grow and reproduce. In 2022, 327 sturgeon fingerlings were stocked.
Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
- Action 1:environmentally preferred products. Products considered “environmentally preferred” contain recycled materials, less toxic/more degradable materials, less packaging, or conserve energy or the product during its use.
This policy applies to outside contractors using environmentally preferred products when doing work for Fon du Lac, whenever practical.
A draft of a Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy has been written for FDL as a whole and will hopefully be adopted Reservation wide in the near future.
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Conduct a tree inventory or canopy study for public and private trees.
- Action 7:Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112
Surface Water {BP no.19}
Adopt and publicly report on measurable surface water improvement targets for lake, river, wetland and ditches.
- Action 3:Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Replace small internal combustion engine lawn and garden equipment (e.g. lawnmowers, weed whips, etc.) with lower polluting equipment.
- Action 1:FDL is also working to implement a no idling policy reservation wide.
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Install, assist with and promote publicly available EV charging stations or public fueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles.
- Action 5:Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}
Public Education for Action: Conduct or support a broad sustainability education and action campaign, building on existing community relationships, networks & events involving:
- Action 4:Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
Install a public sector/municipally-owned renewable energy technology, such as solar electric (PV), wind, biomass, solar hot water/air, or micro-hydro.
- Action 5:A 1.7MMbtu biomass boiler was constructed at the Sawyer community center. Self sourced woodchips replace 88% of the center's propane use which is the most common heating source in Fon du Lac.
A new resource management building was constructed in 2010 which along with being the first LEED certified building in Carleton County, features a 12.25 kilowatt solar PV array.
A 3kw solar electric system was installed at the Ojibwe School Pow Wow grounds.
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Report installed private sector-owned renewable energy/energy efficient generation capacity with at least one of the following attributes:
- Action 6:Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Local Food {BP no.27}
Protect working landscapes - agriculture and forestry - by adopting an ordinance or incentivizing one or more of the following:
- Action 1:Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily and residential developments.
- Action 2:Ashi-niswi Giizisoog, 13 Moons Program, connects Fond du Lac Band members and surrounding community members to natural resources by increasing awareness of and knowledge about traditional and other resources; to social knowledge networks by providing new opportunities for social interaction and education in the context of traditional and other natural resources; and to Ojibwe culture by highlighting and honoring the importance of natural resources in the traditional and contemporary Ojibwe lives and livelihoods and the skills that will allow these lives and livelihood strategies to endure.
Free tilling is offered to community members for home gardens.
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:A weekly farmer's market stand is operated during the growing season in the FdL Gas & Grocery parking lot.
Journey Garden Program is a summer work program for ages 14-18 to learn about gardening, nutrition, cooking, business, science, math, community, language, and Ojibwe culture. Participants host a weekly farmer's market stand.
The Bimaaji'idiwin Garden operates as a research and demonstration garden with an aim to preserve and promote traditional Ojibwe cropping systems as well as educate the greater community about contemporary strategies for organic food and medicinal plant production. It is open to the community for harvest and also includes individual community member growing plots. Food and medicines from the garden are regularly provided to the Ojibwe School, Elderly Nutrition Program, community centers, and community feasts. Season extension techniques include the use of a greenhouse, high tunnel, and cold frames.
FDL is currently developing a property into an agricultural learning center for community members and particularly young people. The property currently has about 5 acres being worked on and is slated to be put into production in the spring of 2019.
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Measurably increase institutional buying and sales of foods and fibers that are local, Minnesota-grown, organic, healthy, humanely raised, and grown by fairly compensated growers.
- Action 4:Fond du Lac is currently gathering input from a food purchasing practices survey to gauge interest in locally grown produce, meat, and specialty items.
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}
Integrate climate resilience into city or tribal planning, policy, operations, and budgeting processes.
- Action 2:In 2017, FDL updated our own Integrated Resource Management Plan, updating management practices and recommendations for the conservation of water/wetlands, fisheries, land resources, forestry, wildlife, and air quality. Additionally, the plan outlines best
practices for resource conservation and enforcement, recreational resources, and energy resource management.
Fond du Lac's own Integrated Resource Management Plan is updated every ten years to ensure the conservation and long term sustainability of it's natural resources.
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123