Interest & Support

Organizations Expressing Support

The University of Minnesota's Minnesota Design Center and Institute on the Environment have been working with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as well as Youth Eco Solutions (YES!) to develop the Minnesota GreenStep Schools Program. The Minnesota GreenStep Schools team is grateful for the support of our network of community leaders interested in green schools.

In-Kind Support:

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

• Minnesota Department of Education

• Minnesota Department of Health

• Minnesota Department of Commerce

Additional Organizations Expressing Support:

• Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA)

• Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA)

• Environmental Quality Board (EQB)

• Minnesota Association for Environmental Education (MAEE)

• US Green Building Council-Minnesota (USGBC-MN)

Some Statements of Interest and Support

The green economy is one of the fastest growing parts of the American economy and preparing the students of Minnesota for that future is critical to their success and the economic health of the state. GreenStep Schools is an innovative program to achieve that goal. It creates a one-stop shop that integrates the many one-off efforts to green schools, which are admirable attempts but uncoordinated and less effective as a result. This program will take what has worked so well at the municipal scale [in GreenStep Cities] into our schools, where students can acquire the skills they will need in order to thrive in the future. I urge your support of GreenStep Schools. It will be transformative for Minnesota’s schools and its students.   
- Thomas Fisher, Director, Minnesota Design Center, University of Minnesota 

The Green Step Schools program advances student achievement, builds healthy school environments and preserves precious natural resources. It has the right team and builds off a proven model. The Institute on the Environment is committed to its successful deployment across all of Minnesota.
- Jessica Hellmann, Director, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota

I am so pleased to see the Minnesota GreenStep Schools initiative moving forward. I know it will be embraced by students and schools around the state.
- Tom Hoff, Southwest West Central (SWWC) Service Cooperative, Marshall, MN

We are excited to support this work [GreenStep Schools] to ensure schools are all invested in environmental education and sustainable practices.
- Jenna Totz, Minnesota Association for Environmental Education (MAEE)

The best approach to getting kids to take part is to make them part of the process.   
- Donna Hanson-Kaasa, Northern Lights Community School, Warba, MN

Thank you GreenStep Schools for your commitment to healthy kids and communities!
- Heidi Ferris' Growing Green Hearts LLC

I am so pleased to see the Minnesota GreenStep Schools initiative moving forward. I know it will be embraced by students and schools around the state. - Tom Hoff' SWWC Service Cooperative

GreenStep Cities has been instrumental in moving Falcon Heights forward towards becoming more sustainable and resilient. It's imperative that all of us do our part to make our corner of the world a better place. Schools have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, save money, and educate our children about addressing perplexing global challenges. GreenStep Schools will be the guiding initiative to help with this endeavor.
- Peter Lindstrom, City of Falcon Heights

Green Steps Schools is an innovative partnership that is critical to preparing students to be leaders on issues of sustainability and resilience.
- Barrett Colombo' Institute on the Environment

This is a great program concept and I think every school district in the State should participate!
- Ted Redmond' paleBLUEdot LLC

MN GreenStep Schools is an organization doing incredible work to empower Minnesota schools to use best practices in sustainability.
- Abigail Thompson' Fork Farms

MN GreenStep Schools is exactly what we need to create cleaner, more sustainable communities. Sustainability education and application is essential to instilling strong values of environmental stewardship in younger generations. I support MN GreenStep Schools who are striving to start the conversation and make true change in our communities.
- Emily Lobato' St. Stephens Catholic School

MN GreenStep Schools will provide a framework that our school will make great efforts to achieve.
- Mollie Schelligner' Moreland Arts and Health Sciences Magnet Elementary

This sounds like a great program!
- Brian Scott' Harbor City International School

The New City School community believes in responsible citizenship and stewardship of our environment. We want to support the healthy sustenance of our neighborhood and our city and eagerly join this movement of schools and organizations for better world and NEW CITY!
- Andrew Granias' New City School