News

All workshops are free and open to anyone. Workshops are online from 9:00-11:00am, unless otherwise noted. 

• December 1: Smart Salting for Property Management Certification Training
• December 5: Smart Salting for Local Leaders 
• December 7: EV Smart Communities 
• January 18: Deciphering Demographics
• February 15: Dark Skies
• March: Open office hours for action and metric reporting 
• April 5: Financing Public Energy Efficient & Renewable Energy Projects
• April 19: Hazard Mitigation
• May 17: Greening Historic Places (possible in-person tour option!) 

Can't attend? RSVP anyway and we will send you a workshop recording, slides, and links to resources approximately one week following the workshop event. 

Access past workshops in the GreenStep Archives. 

• November 2022: Biological Integrity
• October 2022: Local Outdoor Air Quality & Best Practices to Improve It
• August 2022: Best Practices for Community Organics Composting Collection and Sites & Glacial Ridge Tour
• April 2022: Sustainable Built Environment Practices
• February 2022: Community Solar Subscriptions & Green Power Purchasing Programs
• January 2022: All About B3
• December 2021: Engaging Green Businesses in Your Community
• November 2021: New Approaches to Parking Management
• October 2021: RETAP Celebrates 20 Years! 
• October 2021: How City Commissions can Advance Sustainability
• September 2021: Equitable Community Engagement
• September 2021: Maintaining Green Infrastructure
• And many more! 

The Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant program is now accepting applications for the 3rd round of Expedited Conservation Projects.

The second round of Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP) grants recently closed. Nearly $1,500,000 remains for the third round of ECP funds which is open now until January 17.  

The ECP grant cycle funds eligible activities that restore or enhance forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, and wildlife on public lands/waters in Minnesota. Grant requests may range from $5,000 to $50,000, with a maximum total project cost of $1,000,000. Nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible to apply, and a 10% match of non-state funds is required. Apply online by 3:00 PM on January 17, 2023. Funding for the CPL program comes from the Outdoor Heritage Fund.

Additional Information:

FY2023 Request for Proposal

FY2023 CPL Funding Schedule

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

BWSR Accepting Applications for Clean Water Legacy Partners Pilot Program

Minnesota tribal governments, nonprofit organizations eligible for grants that benefit water quality

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is now accepting grant applications for the Clean Water Legacy Partners Pilot Program, a new initiative that seeks to protect, enhance and restore water quality throughout the state. Eligible applicants are tribal governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

“These grants offer new opportunities to accomplish important water quality protection or restoration work,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “We look forward to seeing the results from these partnerships through this new pilot program.”

A total of $500,000 from the Clean Water Fund is available to each of the two eligible applicant groups. Grant requests must be between $25,001 and $250,000; a non-state match of at least 10%, provided via cash or in-kind services, is required. The grants can be used for a wide range of conservation activities including urban stormwater practices, agricultural best management practices, shoreline stabilization projects, well sealing and public engagement efforts. Read more about the program in BWSR’s Snapshots newsletter.

EXAMPLES OF ELIGIBLE PRACTICES. Activities that result in multiple benefits are strongly encouraged.

• urban stormwater practices (e.g. rain gardens)
• forestry practices
• agricultural conservation practices (e.g. fencing cattle out of streams or cover crops)
• in-lake, lakeshore and streambank stabilization projects
• well sealing
• septic system upgrades
• community/public engagement events and activities related to clean water
• other water quality projects

HOW TO APPLY Visit the BWSR website for more information and to complete an application at https://bwsr.state.mn.us/apply 

DEADLINE: The application period closes Feb. 15, 2023. For more information on how to apply, see the program’s Request for Proposals on BWSR’s website.

MnDOT has an open solicitation for quick-build/demonstration projects through the Active Transportation Program. Please consider applying and share! This solicitation will assist communities looking to implement streetside activations (parklets, landscaping, public art, etc.) or open streets-style events. Selected applicants receive up to $25,000 in combined technical assistance and materials for the installation. The deadline to apply is 12/23/22.

More information about the program, the application, and guidance for applying can be found on the Quick-Build/Demonstration Project - Active Transportation Program - MnDOT website. Please direct questions to Jake Rueter, MnDOT Active Transportation Coordinator at jacob.rueter@state.mn.us / 651-366-4164.

USDA Seeks Applications to Improve Solid Waste Management for People in Rural Area

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that the department is accepting grant applications to reduce water pollution in rural areas through improvements to solid waste management. Applications are being accepted under the Solid Waste Management Grants program. USDA provides these grants to organizations that offer technical assistance or training to help rural communities manage solid waste sites and eliminate water pollution.

The program is one of the many ways USDA promotes a healthy community and environment with loans and grants that ensure people, children and families have clean water and safe sewer systems to prevent runoff and pollution.

Eligible applicants include public bodies, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes and academic institutions in rural areas and towns with 10,000 or fewer residents. Special consideration may be given to projects serving areas with fewer than 5,500 or 2,500 people, multiple states or lower-income populations.

USDA expects to make approximately $4 million available through the program.

Funds may be used to:

· Evaluate current landfill conditions to identify threats to water resources.

· Provide technical assistance or training to enhance the operation and maintenance of active landfills.

· Provide technical assistance or training to help communities reduce the amount of solid waste coming into a landfill.

· Provide technical assistance or training to prepare for the closure and future use of a landfill site.

Projects must be completed within 12 months. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:00 p.m. CT on Dec. 31, 2022. 

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our subscriber page GovDelivery

The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides $10,000 in funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization. 

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

MnTAP and Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) are partnering to support no cost assistance for water efficiency in Minnesota cities. The program provides training and technical assistance resources to help your community and your business evaluate the best way to start, continue or improve your water conservation efforts. MnTAP and MRWA will:

Education Workshops – We will come to you!

• Attendees learn easy water saving techniques for work and home
• Industrial, commercial, and/or residential focus
• Presentation customized to your target audience
• Public and private workshops available

Technical Assistance Process

• Meet virtually to identify and discuss priorities
• Collect data and observe processes onsite
• Present water conservation workshop for staff customized to your business (optional)
• Research opportunities and analyze resource use
• Present recommended actions, potential savings, and payback period
• Provide follow-up support for two years

Benefits of Working with MnTAP

• 30+ years of water conservation experience
• Experienced team of engineers and P2 specialists
• Confidential support at your pace
• Money-saving solutions for environmental challenges
• Grant-funded projects (no cost to your organization)

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

Next RCC Zoom Call: Thurs Dec 15: Noon to 1pm, Please RSVP

Discussion topic – Resilience Strategies for Persistent Drought - how can our cities, counties & state create more resilient water supplies, urban forests and agriculture as climate change brings us stronger drought and flood cycles. Guest speaker from the Governor’s Climate Cabinet

The MPCA has $395,000 available to support climate-planning projects in communities across Minnesota. This funding will help communities assess vulnerabilities and plan for the effects of Minnesota's changing climate in three areas:

• Improving stormwater resilience and reducing localized flood risk
• Improving the resilience of wastewater systems
• Adapting community services, ordinances, and public spaces

Tribal Nations, and local governmental units (LGUs) including cities, counties, towns (townships), soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs), water management organizations (WMOs), water districts (WDs), regional development commissions (RDCs), and the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities region are eligible to apply.

Applications due no later than 4pm on January 12, 2023.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is excited to announce the continuation of the No Child Left Inside Grant Program.

Recent and emerging research indicates that students are increasingly disconnected from nature. Getting more people into the outdoors is crucial for the future stewardship of Minnesota's natural resources.

Purpose: The program aims to support and increase efforts to expand programming that connects youth to the outdoors. Funded by the 2019 Minnesota Legislature with additional funding from the 2021 legislative session, these grants are provided for outdoor environmental, ecological, and other natural-resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth. 

Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 7

Questions?: Email outreachgrants.dnr@state.mn.us with “Grant Questions” in the subject line. People may also call 888-646-6367.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY