Step 3

Step 3 is about continuing and adding upon the work completed in Step 2 by doubling the number of best practices (BPs) depending on your category (Look at your GreenStep page to see your category): 

Category C communities report 8 Best Practices
Category B communities report 12 Best Practices
Category A communities report 16 Best Practices

To receive Step 3 recognition, a number of 'recognition minimums' need to be reported to move forward. These are key actions that a city or tribal nation at this level is expected to achieve. The best practice actions (BPAs) 'recognition minimums' are different for each city category: 

Category C communities must report: 
  • Any ONE of the Buildings & Lighting BPs (1-5)
  • BPA 6.1 - Comprehensive Plans
  • Any ONE of the Transportation BPs (11-14)
  • BPA 15.1 - Sustainable Purchasing
  • BPA 24.1 - Benchmarks & Community Engagement
  • BPA 29.1 - Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience
Category B communities must report: 
  • BPA 1.1, BPA 1.2 
  • Any ONE other Buildings & Lighting BP (2-5)
  • BPA 6.1, BPA 6.2, and any ONE other Land Use BP (7-10)
  • Any ONE of the Transportation BPs (11-14)
  • BPA 15.1 and any ONE additional action from BP 15 - Sustainable Purchasing
  • Any ONE action from BP 16 - Community Forests & Soils
  • Any ONE other Environmental Management BP (17-23)
  • BPA 24.1 and any ONE additional action from BP 24 - Benchmarking & Community Engagement
  • Any TWO actions from BP 25 - Green Business Development
  • BPA 29.1 (at a 2- or 3-star rating) - Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience
Category A communities must report: 
  • BPA 1.1, BPA 1.2, and any ONE additional action from BP 1 - Efficient Existing Public Buildings
  • Any ONE other Buildings & Lighting BP (2-5)
  • BPA 6.1, BPA 6.2, and any ONE other Land Use BP (7-10)
  • BPA 11.1 and any TWO additional actions from BP 11 - Living & Complete Streets
  • Any TWO actions from BP 12 - Mobility Options 
  • BPA 15.1 and any ONE additional action from BP 15 - Sustainable Purchasing
  • Any TWO actions from BP 16 - Community Forests & Soils
  • Any ONE action from BP 17 - Stormwater Management
  • BPA 24.1 and BPA 24.2 - Benchmarking & Community Engagement 
  • Any TWO actions from BP 25 - Green Business Development
  • BPA 29.1 (at a 2- or 3-star rating) - Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience
Download the Best Practice Actions Worksheet to see this list of 'recognition minimums' to reach Step 3. Your city or tribal nation 'Assessment File' (located on your GreenStep page) will also help keep track of the Step 3 'recognition minimums.'

Stay active in the GreenStep program. 

  • Be alert to rare opportunities. Projects like street repaving, wastewater treatment plan upgrades, or receiving a grant for housing loans each offer a city the chance to complete multiple best practice actions at once. Be ready with plans for making the most of these opportunities. 
  • Dive deeper. Pay attention to the financial and technical assistance opportunities that are shared with your GreenStep Coordinator that can help you take on bigger projects. 
  • Check back with the Council as needed. Ongoing or planned best practice action implementation may fit in with new city or tribal nation efforts or budgeting and can be shaped in discussion with the council. 
  • Regularly meet with your 'green team'. Don't forget to have check-ins, celebrate accomplishments, evaluate outcomes, and expand your team as needed. 
  • Report yearly to community members on sustainability accomplishments. This is a required action for Step 3 recognition for all cities and tribal nations through BPA 24.1. Use various media and sample reporting forms on your GreenStep page and existing communication opportunities. 
  • Give us feedback on the GreenStep program. Let us know how we can make the program materials aid you better in implementing actions. 
  • Take your time. Keep in mind that implementing a particular best practice action may take months or years. The GreenStep program requirements have been set with the expectation that any city or tribal nation can achieve Step 3 within three years, but it might take some longer or shorter, depending on the different assets and capabilities of each community. GreenStep actions are reviewed and adjusted carefully on an ongoing basis to keep them challenging, yet clearly defined and achievable.

 

Congratulations! When you have implemented 8, 12, or 16 best practices, including the 'recognition minimums' (depending on your city category) and have posted short action reports by April 1 each year, your city or tribal nation will be recognized by the LMC in June as a Step 3 GreenStep City/Tribal Nation.

If you want, order GreenStep road signs!