News

News and Resources - March-April 2020

Regarding Covid-19: Since the last update, so much has changed in Minnesota and around the world. MN GreenStep Schools understands that school district and school staff - as well as potential partners and resource organizations - may have little time to consider participation in MN GreenStep Schools right now. If you would like to connect, one simple way to engage with the program is to fill out the interest form. This is puts you on our map, and helps us meet our 50 x 50 goal described below. As always, if you have questions, you can contact mngreenstepsch@umn.edu.

Interest in MN GreenStep Schools is growing! Express your support and help us reach our goal for the 50x50 Participation Drive!

Call for Participants For Minnesota GreenStep Schools

50 BY 50 Participation Drive

LAUNCH DATE: January 16, 2020

GOAL DATE: April 22, 2020 (50th Anniversary of Earth Day 2020)

  • 50 Schools and Districts

  • 50 Resource Organizations

Goal: Sign up on the Interest Form

Signing up on the Interest form expresses your interest in the program and begins the process of getting support to get started and advance. Step into the future with us!

Download the Flyer

Interest in the MN GreenStep Schools Program

as of 4/8/20

(As expressed in the Interest Form)

MN GreenStep Schools has interest from one or more contacts at 10 school districts and 26 schools. In addition, 25 resource organizations including cities have expressed interest. The interest comes from locations throughout Minnesota.

Interest from Contacts at:

Districts:La Crescent-Hokah (ISD 300)Pequot Lakes Public Schools (ISD 186)Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (ISD 719)Royalton School District (ISD 485)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)
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 SchoolHidden Oaks Middle School Hilltop Primary School La Crescent-Hokah Secondary SchoolLyndale Community School PTOMendota Elementary SchoolMoreland Arts and Health Sciences Magnet ElementaryNorthern Lights Community SchoolPike Lake ElementaryPine Bend ElementarySartell Middle SchoolShakopee West Middle SchoolSt Paul Conservatory for Performing ArtistsSt. Stephens Catholic SchoolSomerset Elementary SchoolWestbrook-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 WarrenClimate Generation: A Will Steger LegacyEnvironmental Quality BoardGreen Ribbon Schools Award - MN Dept. of EducationGreenStep Cities @ the MN Pollution Control AgencyGrowing Green Hearts LLCJeffers Foundation Jessy Carlson (consultant)Macalester CollegeMinnesota Association for Environmental EducationMinnesota Department of HealthMinnesota DNRMN350.orgSWWC Service CooperativeThe Weidt GroupU.S. Green Building CouncilYES! (Youth Eco Solutions)

Resources and Events to Explore - During Covid-19 & Physical Distancing

National Environmental Education Foundation

EE Week Events and Resources

NEEF's EE Week is April 20-24, 2020. In response to Covid-19 and the need for physical distancing, they have included many activities that need no, or minimal outdoor time. Learn about their resources and activities at this LINK, and explore something each day.

  • Monday, April 20: Water Quality

  • Tuesday, April 21: Biodiversity

  • Wednesday, April 22: Earthday (50th Anniversary!) with a focus on Citizen Science

  • Thursday, April 23: Energy (including connections to sports)

  • Friday, April 24: Extreme Weather

Earth Day Network's Virtual Events

If you are looking for ways to gather online for Earth Day this year, the Earth Day Network has a map with links to virtual events all over the world, including in Minnesota. You can also register your own event.