News
MN GreenStep Schools at the 2023 MN State Fair Eco Experience
Summer 2023
MN GreenStep Schools is at the MN State Fair Eco Experience! Visitors can learn about the program in the MN GreenStep programs display area. Or come on GreenStep days: Saturday August 26th and Thursday, August 31st to meet staff and participants from the GreenStep Cities, Tribal Nations, and Schools programs.
In our summer newsletter you can learn more about how one MN GreenStep Schools Green Club is making progress through collaboration, see resource and program updates including an announcement about the MN Association for Environmental Education, and learn how you can be involved.
Participant News
Youth Leadership + Collaboration = Progress
Roseville Area High School (RAHS) Students for Climate Action, a MN GreenStep Schools Green Club, grew out of the RAHS Progressives group after their successful 600 student climate walk out in 2022. In a prior interview, Holly Swiglo described the importance of collaborating with the city and the school to organize the march.
The success of the RAHS Students for Climate Action continues as they work to act on their original goals. On July 10, 2023 they reported that through collaboration with the school board, that they have marked another milestone of success:
" Join GreenStep Schools was one of our original demands for our school district from our climate walkout in 2022. Thanks to our activism and collaboration with the school board, we finally got the resolution passed! This is the first of our demands achieved, and the first step in making our school a more sustainable and healthy place for all."
Last year, RAHS students were at the GreenStep Schools booth at the MN State Fair Eco-Experience as the very first MN GreenStep Green Club. We are so pleased that they will be there again this year, along with staff from the City of Roseville.
Are you building GreenStep collaborations in your community between youth leaders, and staff at the school district, city, and private and non-profit sectors? Share your collaboration story by emailing mngreenstepsch@umn.edu
Resources Update
Resource Organization Benefits Flyer and new members
Welcome to Global Change Consulting and City of North St. Paul -- our newest Resource Organizations. Their member pages are in progress. More to come on these members in the next newsletter...
Are you considering becoming a Resource Organization? Or think an organization in your community would have a lot to offer schools?
Consider using this "Resource Organization Benefits Flyer" as a way to start a conversation on the benefits of becoming a GreenStep Schools Resource Organization.
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 Resource Organizations and consider being next… Go to the Resource Organizations Page to sign up.
Who can be a resource organization? Any organization or individual that has something to offer to schools trying to green their facilities, operations, or programming.
These organizations have joined MN GreenStep Schools to help schools with their best practices. You can follow the links to see their profile pages.
Sustainability Internships Class, Sustainability Education at the Institute on the Environment
Global Change Consulting (Member page in progress)
City of North St. Paul (Member page in progress)
Be the Next! Go to the Resource Organizations Page to sign up.
Sustainability Internships Class, Sustainability Education at the Institute on the Environment
This program became a MN GreenStep Schools Resource Organization in spring 2021, and they continue to have a biannual call for those interested in connecting with an intern.
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 them at their website for details about proposing an internship.
MN GreenStep Schools has worked with six 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 have the Sustainability Internships Class, from Sustainability Education at the Institute on the Environment as a MN GreenStep School Resource Organization Member.
Read more about the Sustainability Internships Class at their Resource Organization profile page.
MN GreenStep Schools Program News
MN GreenStep Schools to present new Environmental Education Best Practices at the Minnesota Association for Environmental Education 2023 Annual Conference
Minnesota Association for Environmental Education (MAEE) has been a MN GreenStep Schools partner and resource organization for a long time.
They'll be having their 2023 Annual MAEE Conference October 27 - October 29 at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN. This year's theme is Equity, Partnerships, and Place. You can learn more about the conference HERE.
At this year's conference, MAEE aims to highlight promising and proven practices, help push the leading edge of the profession, advance equity and inclusion, and motivate the pursuit of excellence in environmental education, all while sharing and exploring the incredible resources of southeastern Minnesota. Join us for an opportunity to connect with other professionals across the state, to acquire new skills and knowledge, and to leave feeling inspired to reinvigorate and renew your programs!
MN GreenStep Schools is pleased to be a presenter this year. We'll be presenting new pilot Environmental Education Best Practices that will be released in early Fall 2023.
How to Get Involved in MN GreenStep Schools
Youth-led projects (such as these YES! project teams pictured) are one of our favorite kind of Project Stories
8 Ways to Get Involved in MN GreenStep Schools
Sign up on the interest form to become part of our mailing list, show support, introduce yourself to the green schools network
Gather a green team and get your school and district informed about MN GreenStep Schools. Did you know there is a slide show template and other resources you can use to start planning for a MN GreenStep Schools Resolution? Did you know the program is free, voluntary, and flexible?
Work to achieve MN GreenStep Schools Step Level 1 recognition. There are two parts to this: form a green team, and pass a district school board resolution to participate in the program.
Participate in the MN GreenStep Schools Solar Schools Blitz! with support from MN Clean Energy Resource Teams. Learn More about how to Share your Solar Success, Find your Solar Potential, Picture your Solar Future, and Explore Solar Resources for action and learning from MN GreenStep Schools, CERTS, and more. You can participate, even if you haven't joined MN GreenStep Schools yet.
Share your green school project story to show your progress and inspire other schools.
If you are an organization that can help schools achieve their green school goals, become a MN GreenStep School Resource Organization to help schools find you.
If you are a green club or your club includes any activities that overlap with MN GreenStep Schools best practices, you can become a MN GreenStep School Green Club, whether your school has joined the program or not.
These are just some of the ways to get involved, with more opportunities to come.
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...