GreenStep Cities Implement proven sustainability Best Practices in YOUR City!
Who are the? CERTs Regional Coordinators: Sarah Hayden Erin Smith Central West Central (218) 760 6837 (320)289-1981 hayden@cleanenergyresourceteams.org erin.smith@umvrdc.org
CERTs Mission Connecting you and your community with the resources you need to identify and implement community-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy projects http://getsolar.mncerts.org
What do we do? Host meetings, workshops, networking sessions Write case studies, project planning guides and people profiles Connect people to technical resources and assistance Provide seed grant funding & connections to funding opportunities Help organizing your community www.mncerts.org Spur other statewide programs http://getsolar.mncerts.org
Agenda 3:30 Welcome & Introductions Erin Smith, WC CERT 3:40 Minnesota GreenStep Cities Sarah Hayden Shaw, Central CERT 3:55 Fabulous Guest Speakers! Andrea Lauer, Mayor of Royalton, a Minnesota GreenStep City Arlene Jones, Sprout & Farm to School program Dan Frank, Thriving Communities Initiative Peter Lindstrom, Mayor of Falcon Heights, a Minnesota GreenStep City 4:30 Split into Work Groups Group A: Exisiting GreenStep Cities One-on-one assistance, Q&A, tutorial on entering in information, and moving your GSC to the next step Hosted by Sarah Hayden Shaw and Peter Lindstrom Group B: How to get started Everything you need to know to pitch GSC to your City! Hosted by Erin Smith and Andrea Lauer 5:00 Adjourn
Introductions: Name City of Residence/ representing Existing or prospective?
GreenStep Mission Provide all Minnesota Cities small or large with best practices to help them achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of best practices www.mngreenstep.org
GreenStep Partners www.mngreenstep.org
What is it? Voluntary Simple Steps for Cities Pathway toward Sustainability 28 Best Practices in 5 Categories www.mngreenstep.org
Do these goals look familiar? Walkable, bikeable community Transportation options that invite economic activity and connect people with their community Local food production Local renewable energy production Lower building operating costs for all Cleaner water, air, habitat More local, green jobs www.mngreenstep.org
Best Practice Categories The GreenStep City program consists of 28 best practices in 5 categories: Buildings & Facilities Transportation Land Use Planning Environmental Management Economic & Community Development www.mngreenstep.org
Why would my City do this? 4 key benefits: Saves money Saves energy Creates healthier environments Leads to active and engaged community members = thriving, resilient communities! www.mngreenstep.org
What makes this unique? Minnesota focused Geared toward smaller Minnesota cities Best practices developed by experts in their field from MN Action oriented On-line case studies give you examples of how it s worked Identified real resource people who can help you with each best practice. Allows flexibility with each Best Practice www.mngreenstep.org
Past Efforts Count!
Regional Representation Signed: Pine River, Breezy Point, Royalton, Pierz, Brainerd, Nisswa, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, and St. Cloud Who is next? How about you, Little Falls? www.mngreenstep.org
Best Practices www.mngreenstep.org
Sample Best Practices Improve the efficiency of city street lighting and signals.
Adopt development ordinances or processes that protect natural systems. Sample Best Practices
Sample Best Practices
How do I get started? o Learn about the program (like we re doing today!) o Go through the assessment o Figure out which category you re in o Garner interest and support o Have your City select a GreenStep contact person/taskforce (need a Champion to take the lead) o Sign the resolution www.mngreenstep.org
www.mngreenstep.org
Sample Resolution Key requirements Identify a GreenStep contact person Plan to involve community members, civic and educational organizations and businesses Pick a few best practices to start on Commit to implementing a minimum number of required and optional GreenStep best practices Whereas clauses to highlight why your community is doing this. http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/files/sampleresolution.doc www.mngreenstep.org
Questions? Sarah Hayden Shaw Central Region Coordinator (218) 760 6837 hayden@cleanenergyresourceteams.org