The Mahtomedi Area Green Intiative, MAGI, is a group of citizens who came together in December 2006 to initiate and carry out activities to reduce carbon-emitting energy use, pursue and acquire renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, and encourage an enduring community commitment to sustainability. Activities to date include participating in two community Earth Day fairs, holding a town hall forum on energy issues, exploring opportunities for wind generation, developing strategies for promoting bicycling, submitting sustainability content to the community newspaper, and publicizing local environmental activities and events.
Recently, MAGI demonstrated its value as a connector and facilitator when it helped the city of Mahtomedi successfully compete for a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency grant to complete a carbon footprint analysis for muncipal facilities and activities. The city had previously signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, appointed an environmental commission to advise the city on matters of sustainability, and joined ICLEI, but did not have the time or resources to complete a carbon footprint survey on its own. MAGI volunteers enlisted Century College as a collaborator, developed the grant proposal, and are now helping to coordinate the project.
“As the city moves forward in achieving its environmental and sustainable initiatives, MAGI is a valuable partner and resource,” says Mahtomedi city administrator Scott Neilson.
For more information on MAGI, contact Paul Hoff at magi-connect@usfamily.net
