News
April 2021
In this month’s resources update we highlight the National Environmental Education Foundation's annual Environmental Education Week and resources. We also welcome a new Resource Organization member of MN GreenStep Schools from the University of Minnesota.
In our program news section, you can learn about the ...MN Solar Schools Blitz --our new statewide youth set of activities. Here, you’ll also find links to proposed legislation that would fund MN GreenStep Schools and help it grow from a pilot to a full program.
Resources Update
National Environmental Education Week Resources
National Environmental Education Week is April 19-23, 2021. The week is full of activities, news, webinars, and resources for teachers and parents to engage youth in environmental education. It is led by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), whose purpose is "To cultivate an environmentally conscious and responsible public."
From their website:
"The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, creating opportunities for people to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet. Congressionally chartered in 1990 as a 501c3 nonprofit to complement the work of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NEEF is a non-partisan, non-advocacy organization working to make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant, and connected to people’s daily lives."
Learn more about NEEF EE Week and explore the resources throughout the NEEF website.
Resource Organizations
What is a MN GreenStep School Resource Organization?
MN GreenStep Schools Member Resource Organizations help schools in their efforts to grow. Read about our latest Resource Organization to join and consider being next… Go to the Resource Organizations Page to sign up.
Sustainability Internships Class, Sustainability Education at the Institute on the Environment
Do you have a need for a college student intern to work on a sustainability-related project?
Each fall and spring semester, the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities offers SUST 4096: Sustainability Internships, a class that supports students in finding internships with a sustainability focus. Students intern for 4, 7 or 10 hours per week for a total of 14 weeks throughout the semester. Students in the class come from majors and programs across the university, but all of them share an interest in sustainability. If you have a project or position that you think could be a good fit for students in the class, reach out to Jess Jurcek (jurce003@umn.edu) for details about proposing an internship for Fall 2021.
MN GreenStep Schools has worked with three interns from this program so far - it is a great resource and rewarding to provide a meaningful experience for the interns. We are glad to welcome the Sustainability Internships Class, from Sustainability Education at the Institute on the Environment as our newest Resource Organization Member.
MN GreenStep Schools Program News
MN Solar Schools Blitz announced April 22, 2021
to launch Fall 2021*
to launch Fall 2021*
The MN Solar Schools Blitz is our new statewide set of youth activities. Like a bio-blitz, the MN Solar Schools Blitz is an intensive period of time to learn about the natural systems in a specific place. While a bio-blitz usually focuses on identifying species in an event that may span days, our MN Solar Schools Blitz! will identify the existing and potential annual solar energy of schools throughout the state and explore the benefits. Announced April 22, 2021 and to be launched in Fall 2021, youth in high school or younger, are invited to explore the sun's energy generating benefits at their school - on the roof, or on the ground. Guidance is provided and the results will be compiled on a statewide map. Learn more at the MN Solar Schools Blitz page.
MN GreenStep Schools Proposed Legislation
On February 11th, a bill was introduced that would fund MN GreenStep Schools to grow from a pilot to a full program with ongoing development and support. Senator Wiger introduced SF 775. Representative Jordan introduced the companion bill HF 841. As of this writing, The bill has been referred to committees.
Thanks to the contacts from Districts, Schools, Resource Organizations, and others
who have expressed interest in MN GreenStep Schools!
who have expressed interest in MN GreenStep Schools!
Interested in the program? Want to be on the mailing list? Sign up in the Interest Form...
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Interest from Contacts at:
MN School Districts:La Crescent-Hokah (ISD 300)Minneapolis Public Schools (ISD 1)Pequot Lakes Public Schools (ISD 186)Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (ISD 719)Royalton School District (ISD 485)Saint Paul Public Schools (ISD 625)Spring Lake Park Schools (ISD 16)Stillwater Area Public School District (ISD 834)Wayzata Public School District (ISD 284)West St. Paul-Mendota Hts.-Eagan (ISD 197)Wrenshall Public School District (ISD 100)Yellow Medicine East (ISD 2190)MN Schools:Andover High SchoolBellaire Education CenterCarlton High SchoolCity of Lakes Waldorf SchoolDiscovery Woods MontessoriForest Lake Area High SchoolGarlough Environmental Magnet SchoolHarbor City International SchoolHeritage E-Stem Magnet SchoolHiawatha Collegiate High SchoolHidden Oaks Middle School Hilltop Primary School Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy
(a St. Paul Public Immersion School) La Crescent-Hokah Secondary SchoolLyndale Community School PTOMendota Elementary SchoolMoreland Arts and Health Sciences Magnet ElementaryNorthern Lights Community SchoolPike Lake ElementaryPine Bend ElementaryPrairie Seeds AcademyRockford Middle School-Center for Environmental StudiesSartell Middle SchoolShakopee West Middle SchoolSaint Francis Xavier Elementary SchoolSt Paul Conservatory for Performing ArtistsSt. Stephens Catholic SchoolSomerset Elementary SchoolThe Blake School, Northrup CampusWestbrook-Walnut Grove SecondaryWilliam M. Kelley SchoolWrenshall High School
Interest from Contacts at Resource Organizations Including Cities:
Anoka County Recycling and Resource SolutionsCity of EdinaCity of Elk RiverCity of Falcon HeightsCity of FridleyCity of Golden ValleyCity of HutchinsonCity of MoorheadCity of ShakopeeCity of St. Louis ParkCity of WarrenClean Energy Resource Teams (CERTS)Climate Generation: A Will Steger LegacyDakota CountyE.C. Goodwin Technical HS (Connecticut)Environmental Quality BoardGreen Ribbon Schools Award - MN Dept. of EducationGreenStep Cities @ the MN Pollution Control AgencyGrowing Green Hearts LLCHennepin County Environment & EnergyJeffers Foundation Jessy Carlson (consultant)Macalester CollegeMcKinstryMinnesota Association for Environmental EducationMinnesota Department of HealthMinnesota DNRMinnesota Renewable Energy SocietyMN350.orgPrairie Woods Environmental Learning Center SWWC Service CooperativeSustainability Internships Class,
Sustainability Education at the Institute on the Environment The Weidt GroupThe Trust for Public LandU.S. Green Building CouncilWe All Need Food and WaterYES! (Youth Eco Solutions)