News

9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the LMC building by the Capitol in St. Paul, and via webinar
RSVP at https://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/news 

Through a topical, pop-culture lens, this workshop will dive into the ways that communities can “tidy up” their emissions for impactful climate action and ultimately spark joy. The focus of this session will rest on the three biggest local impact opportunities: transportation, clean energy, and energy efficiency, and provide opportunities and strategies for emissions reduction across these sectors. Session participants will also be led through group discussion where they can identify opportunities in their work to engage the tenets of tidying up in their own communities. Presenters are:

• Abby Finis, Senior Energy Planner, Great Plains Institute
• Ash Narayanan, Executive Director, Our Streets Minneapolis
• Katie Jones, Certified Energy Manager, Benchmarking Outreach and Policy Specialist, Center for Energy and Environment (CEE)
• Jessi Wyatt, Energy Planner and Analyst, Great Plains Institute

See short TV/print coverage of two GreenStep gatherings:

• Rochester: https://www.kimt.com/content/news/Minnesota-GreenStep-Cities-program-celebrates-10-years-566825221.html
• Duluth: https://www.fox21online.com/2020/01/08/mpca-celebrates-ten-years-of-greenstep-cities-program/
• Duluth: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/government-and-politics/4854307-Duluth-shares-its-sustainability-story-through-GreenStep-Cities-program

For those who could not make it to a January gathering, we'd love for you to record a short video statement on how the GreenStep program has helped you move forward and meet your goals: go to https://flipgrid.com/greenstep  Our goal is to edit statements into a short video to be shown at the June League of MN Cities conference in St. Paul.

And download and share the 1-page infographic 10 Years of GreenStep Impacts & Accomplishments.
     
 

Environmental Assistance Grant Program is now accepting applications!

Focus area: Climate adaptation and community resilience

Apply now for an MPCA grant for community strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is accepting applications through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for community strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change and improve community resiliency. Eligible applicants are Minnesota not-for-profit organizations, institutions, political subdivisions of the state, and tribal governments. Total funding available is approximately $250,000.

Examples of fundable projects are in the RFP document. Funding for these projects is intended to prevent or reduce the environmental impacts caused by warming temperatures, extreme precipitation, and other climate impacts while protecting public health and well-being. 

Forms and details can be found at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/about-mpca/grants-community-strategies-adapt-climate-change and the links on that page. 

Submit questions to grants-loans.pca@state.mn.us using subject line: EA Question.

Applications are due no later than 2:00 p.m. Central Time, Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

Sharon

January 16, 2020 marks the pilot launch - at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Boards Association - by the University of MN and allied organizations of this new program based upon the GreenStep Cities program and the national Green Ribbon Schools program.

Picture this: One Step at a Time…, Teams of Schools, Districts, Students, Parents, and a supporting community of volunteers, non-profits, businesses, and local and state government agencies all work together to help schools and their community take actions and build capacity to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future: preparing children for a changing economy, protecting our environment and community health, and harvesting the benefits of a clean energy future—all with guidance, assistance, and recognition from MN GreenStep Schools.  

MN GreenStep Schools is aiming for 50 x 50 x 50: 50 schools/districts, and 50 resource organizations (including cities), sign-up on the GreenStep Schools interest form by the 50th anniversary of Earth Day - April 22, 2020.

Cities and schools/school districts can sign up on this interest form today.
 

2020 Registration Now Open!   Last Day to Register is February 20, 2020  Early Bird Pricing Deadline: January 31, 2020

Northern Minnesota’s premier Energy Design Conference & Expo with an opening keynote from one of the best in the business, an expanded electric vehicle display, and over 30 sessions on everything from renewable energy and high performance housing to building science and something we’re calling “Potluck”—a little bit of everything for everyone. 

APA is currently seeking project inquiries through an initial short-form application from communities interested in exploring nature-based and green infrastructure solutions through pre- and post-disaster recovery planning. APA will follow up with select applicants for additional information before making final determinations on awards. Three grantees will be selected to receive specialized technical assistance from a Recovery Planning Assistance Team (RPAT), a subsect of APA's Community Planning Assistance Teams (CPAT) program, that brings experienced volunteer planners to disaster-affected communities. All logistical expenses are funded.

Deliverable: Time and expertise included. Two site visits included. Full report with analysis, design, recommendations, and implementation strategies. 
Deadline: RFP open until projects are selected. Projects must occur in 2020. 
Link: https://www.planning.org/consultants/rfp/9192471/ 

If your company could use another set of eyes to see opportunities to improve your site water use, energy efficiency, wastewater load, material utilization or pollution prevention, now is the time to start developing that project for the summer of 2020. MnTAP anticipates supporting at least 15 projects through the MnTAP Intern Program. See some of the impressive results from the 2019 program in MnTAP's 2019 Solutions. Applications are currently being accepted and will be reviewed upon receipt. Companies will be contacted by MnTAP technical staff within two weeks for additional project development and scoping.

Although applications are accepted until February 2020, organizations should apply today for the best chance of being selected. For more information about the intern program or the application process, visit MnTAP’s Application page or contact Nathan Landwehr, MnTAP Intern Program Administrator, at 612-624-4697 or landwehr@umn.edu

For cities, counties, tribal governments, special districts, and regional government agencies or collaboratives in Minnesota, there are two ways to partner with the Resilient Communities Project: through a Large-Scale Partnership or a Small-Scale Partnership.

Our partners benefit from research and technical assistance on locally identified projects that advance community resiliency, provided by students and faculty at the University of Minnesota from a variety of departments and disciplines. The selection process is competitive, and partner communities must support the effort through dedicated staff time and a local financial contribution.

Collaborate on 1-25 projects over academic year. Apply by March 16, 2020. Learn more and see the RFP. 

Webinar - January 14 and office hours available through February 4 to learn more. 

Curb wastewater nutrient challenges: Upstream nutrient source reduction assistance

Is your community facing challenges with Nitrogen or Phosphorous loading in wastewater? Is your business facing pressure from the treatment facility to get a handle on wastewater releases? The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) has demonstrated that source reduction assistance can improve a wastewater facility’s ability to meet effluent targets while enhancing business operations through expanded capacity, improved quality and reduced cost. In January 2020 MnTAP has launched a project geared towards working with facilities upstream of wastewater treatment plants to help them better-manage wastewater effluent.

Through this project, MnTAP staff and interns can help identify strategies for upstream nutrient reduction, which can:

• Decrease load to local wastewater treatment ponds and plants

• Reduce the burden on our local bodies of water and wildlife

• Minimize pressure and costs for businesses that discharge wastewater

If your community, wastewater treatment plant and/or business could benefit from no-cost assistance with wastewater nutrient management, contact Matt Domski – mdomski@umn.edu 612-624-5119 or Daniel Chang – dwchang@umn.edu 612-624-0808. 

The CPL grant program is now accepting applications for FY2020

The Conservation Partners Legacy grant program (CPL) funds conservation projects that restore, enhance, or protect forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, and wildlife in Minnesota. Grant requests may range from $5,000 to $400,000 with a maximum total project cost of $575,000. Nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible to apply, and a 10% match of non-state origin is required. Funding for the CPL program comes from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. 

$1.2 million is available for the Traditional cycle and $1.4 million is available for the Metro grant cycle. Projects must be on public lands/waters or on lands protected by a permanent conservation easement. Apply by 4:00 PM January 27, 2020 for the second round of Traditional and Metro funding.

$1.5 million is available for the Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP) grant cycle. ECP funds up to $50,000 for eligible activities on public lands and waters. The ECP application is open continuously through May 11, 2020, or until all funds are awarded. Apply by 4:00 PM January 21, 2020 for the third round of ECP funding.

Additional Information:

FY2020 Request for Proposal

FY2020 CPL Funding Schedule

CPL Evaluation Criteria

Questions? Please email lscplgrants.dnr@state.mn.us for more information.