56 cities were recognized last week for participation in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program, a free and voluntary program designed to help Minnesota cities achieve their environmental sustainability goals through implementation of 28 best practices.
Each best practice can be implemented by completing one or more specific actions from a list of four-to-eight actions in the areas of transportation, buildings and lighting, environmental management, land use, and economic and community development. Those actions are tailored to all types of Minnesota cities, and they focus on cost savings, energy use reduction, and encouraging innovation. Cities were recognized at an awards program last week at the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference in St. Paul.
Cities achieve Step One recognition by passing a resolution to become a GreenStep City. Step Two-designated cities have implemented up to eight of the program’s best practices, and Step Three-designated cities have implemented up to 16 of the best practices. A number of cities have completed more than one of the three steps within a single year. The cities recognized for Step One completion in 2012-2013 are Brainerd, Columbia Heights, Lake Crystal, Maple Grove, North St. Paul, Saint Paul Park, Sauk Rapids, Shoreview, and Woodbury.
Cities completing Step Two include Bemidji, Cottage Grove, Grand Rapids, Hoffman, La Prairie, Lake Elmo, Mahtomedi, Mankato, Marshall, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Red Wing, Sauk Rapids, Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Willmar, and Woodbury. A total of seven cities completed Step Three in 2012-13, including Burnsville, Elk River, Hopkins, Maplewood, Newport, Rochester, and Woodbury.
GreenStep Cities also recognized 28 cities that were honored at Step One or Step Two completion levels in 2011-12 and continue to work toward fulfillment of the next step. A complete summary of cities’ notable accomplishments can be seen here.
See photos of the cities getting their awards!
