MN Statewide Environment Commissions Conference 2023
Saturday, May 20 2023 9am – 12:30pm CDT

Ridgedale Library, in the Robert H. Rohlf Room 12601 Ridgedale Drive Minnetonka, MN 55305 Please RSVP at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-environment-commissions-conference-tickets-602736108927

We invite Environment Commission Members from across Minnesota to learn from other environmental commissions, see what issues are affecting other communities, and network with commission volunteers.
Opportunities to participate online and in person are available.

This event will feature presentations from:

• Jennifer Fierce the sustainability coordinator for the City of Eden Prairie will be presenting on the city’s successful electric vehicle initiatives.

• Elizabeth Kramer public services analyst and Rocio Durkot utilities water quality specialist with the City of St. Cloud will be presenting on energy and water quality projects at the city’s wastewater treatment facility.

Resources to help you launch or strengthen your environmental commission and/or Green Team or Citizen Sustainability Coalition.

One on one support for cities to start or strengthen environmental commissions and/or city staff green teams. Contact: Sean Gosiewski, Green Step Best Practice Advisor, BPA #24.1 612 240-0389 sean@rccmn.co

Environmental Commission Chair Networking Calls sharing goals, next steps, challenges and successes.

County Clusters – adjacent cities working together to meet city and county equity, sustainability, and resilience goals Commission and community coalition volunteers meet regularly by county to share successes & challenges and plan ways cities and their county can work together. Contact us to get involved.

  •  Addressing the Sustainability Gap in the Development Review Process (GSC and Michael Orange, 2021). The guide has 8 main sections: climate change future – a call to action; the third “E” in Sustainability – equity, and climate refugees; environmental advocacy and the development review process; Minnesota programs for local governments; municipal development code; 2 case studies; and resources. 

GreenStep City Best Practices: Resilient Economic and Community Development
#24.1 – Benchmarks and Community Engagement

Contact: Sean Gosiewski, Green Step Best Practice Advisor, BPA #24 612 240-0389 sean@rccmn.co

BPA 24.1 Use a city commission, or committee to lead, coordinate, and report to and engage community members on implementation of sustainability best practices.

Many GreenStep cities use an existing group, such as a city environmental commission or an existing civic group, as their GreenStep implementation or “green” team. Those forming a new committee to lead, coordinate and report on the implementation of GreenStep best practices

Helpful Resources

  • Read about how green teams work in the cities of Scandia and Crosslake.  
  • New : The GreenStep Green Team Work Plan  covers tips for creating and maintaining successful green teams and much more: case studies, testimonials, and step-by-step guidance on how Green Teams might move forward on Benchmarking Public Buildings (BP 1.1) and Comprehensive and Related Plans (BP 6).

Notes from Last Year’s Environment Commissions Conference

Sat April 20, 2922 at the Ridgedale Library

Energy Efficient Buildings – City Policy Options PP Katie Jones, MNCEE,

Electric Vehicles Resources for Cities Presentation (Diana McKeown, CERTS)

MN Cities Climate Caucus Presentation (Larry Kraft, SLP) – ZOOM RECORDING