MN GreenStep Cities Workshop in Austin

On February 24, 2010, The Izaak Walton League (Minnesota Division and Austin chapter) and Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability are hosting a MN GreenStep Cities Workshop, an action plan for cities, counties and their citizens to reduce greenhouse gases.

Meeting Location:
Austin City Hall
500 4th Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55912
Agenda:
3:00-4:30 pm — City/County Staff public, volunteer stewards, etc.
5:30 — 6:00 pm — dinner for evening session
6:00-7:30 pm — Elected Officials, public, volunteer stewards, etc.
Topics/Speakers:
MN GreenStep Cities Program:
Philipp Muessig, Sustainable Communities Coordinator
for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Current regional green initiatives:
Michelle Schroeder, Izaak Walton League — Minnesota
Division

Follow-up plan:
Susan Waughtal, SE CERT Outreach Coordinator

Austin Utilities (evening only):
Dave Thompson - will provide literature on new and
improved programs and speak on changes in Austin
Utilities services and programs

What is Minnesota GreenStep Cities?
The program, launching Summer 2010, is being developed by the MN Pollution Control
Agency, MN Office of Energy Security, the League of MN Cities, the Clean Energy Resource Teams ("CERTs") and others. It will identify, support and recognize implementation of sustainable development best practices that lead cities beyond compliance, encouraging a culture of innovation and friendly competition.

The best practices fall under five categories:

1) land use planning
2) improved energy efficiency in buildings and facilities
3) city vehicle fleet transformation and street improvements
4) environmental management
5) economic & community development

Margaret Levin, State Director for the Sierra Club North Star Chapter, stated "We are pleased to partner with this statewide initiative, which embodies Sierra Club's goals, through our Cool Cities program, to enact real, local solutions that save energy and money; reduce global warming pollution; and help build the new clean energy economy."

"By gathering a robust slate of sustainability best practices for local government, GreenStep Cities can provide cities large and small with an invaluable tool to move from the idea of going green to implementation," says Lissa Pawlisch, CERTs Statewide Coordinator. "This will also be a great tool to help community members engage their local City officials in discussions about sustainability best practices and what is and is not currently happening at a local level."

For further information, see www.MNGreenSteps.org

Six Austin Churches Focus on Reducing Carbon Footprint

From 7/8/09 Post-Bulletin story, Austin MN By Karen Colbenson
This summer, six local churches are banding together for the ecumenical purpose of bringing faith into the goal of reducing the community's carbon footprint. The project, called Creation Care, is being led by Natalie Baudler, an Austin resident and junior at Luther College.

Baudler is leading the project as a three-month internship for her studies in English and communications. The goal of the internship is to spread the word about the "Going Green" movement, starting with the basics of faith. "It's really a moral issue," Baudler said. "It's our duty as stewards to care for God's creation. That's the main message."

Baudler is encouraging each church to take the Minnesota Energy Challenge and get energy audits.

Read the full story in the Post Bulletin