RACER and Geothermal grants

Hired a full time staff member to lead a 2-year grant project focused on solar.

Created a youth climate coalition

Hired a student Intern from UMD

new staff position added for full time sustainability division focusing on federal funding for climate action goals.

Sustainable Eagan Advisory Committee includes 8 volunteers and supported by City's Sustainability Coordinator. SEAC meets for six regular meetings and establishes annual workplan.

Sustainable Eagan Academy invites students to speak about sustainability of each session, receiving support from city staff, volunteer hours, and a certificate for presenting. 3 Students are scheduled for 2025.

Planning to build a new community health and safety center (health dept., gym, training) and fire station. Hope to go all electric and green roofs, restoration, and a ground source heat pump to heat and cool the building. Pursuing B3.

City hall will be undergoing a remodel that will feature new, higher-efficiency rooftop solar arrays, which should drop building emissions by 25%, and utility bills by 33%.

Transportation Planner and Sustainability Specialist working on new Safe Routes to School campaign and securing fed. funding.

In spring of 2023, the City of Edina committed to sourcing 100% of its electricity (1.2 million kWH) used for municipal operations from renewable sources through Windsource.

In August of 2023, Edina began a community match campaign urging resident households to subscribe to Xcel Energy's Windsource, with a goal of matching the City's commitment, by getting an additional 1,200 households to subscribe.

Resilience project planning for flood risk mitigation in Morningside neighborhood.

In spring of 2023, the City of Edina committed to sourcing 100% of its electricity (1.2 million kWH) used for municipal operations from renewable sources through Windsource.

Sustainability division budget of $1 million each year

Morningside Flood Infrastructure Project

Existing lift station that isn't meeting demands and will rebuild a new station next to the old one. Looking into how this ties into climate resilience.

Throughout the 2022-2023 service term Edina's 2 GreenCorps members worked with Edina High School's Project Earth Club to create a reuse themed ball, table at a green business earth day event, and table and volunteer at the earth week community clothing swap.

Intern for water resources coordinator right now. Working on clean water strategy and floodplain management

First tree steward class w/ Hennepin County and the University of Minnesota.
-Residential Tree protection ordinance went into effect Jan. 1, 2023 adding heritage status to protected trees and strengthening protections, escrow fees and fine for violators.
-Tree Sale for climate adaptive tree species where sold to residents at a significantly reduced price w/ MN Tree Trust.

Resident led Energy & Environment Commission has added an item to their 2024 workplan which will focus on conducting a study of Edina's community garden.

2024 resident led Energy & Environment Commission will be leading on helping businesses reach high impact sustainability goals. City will continue to recognize 'Green Businesses' through the program and promote additional businesses to apply to the program.

Climate Action Plan adopted 2025 was developed collaboratively with a 31-member planning team

City Environment Commission includes residents, youth, and UofMN Commissioner and advises City Council on environmental issues and GreenStep and Gold Leaf participation

MOU with ABM for performance contracting plan. Initial findings complete.

Solar garden subscriptions in place for 30% of city operations. Approval from Council for full 100%.

School adding solar - Looking into City purchasing excess solar

PiE Energy Action Plan update in Oct. 2023 includes public engagement, surveys in 3 languages.

Solar + battery installation and tracking use and productivity for future plans

Working with Partners in Energy to identify goals

PINES team members planted 12 new trees/shrubs, consisting of 6 different varieties to replace 5 diseased basswood trees removed the previous fall. The team consulted with an area nursery specializing in native trees and plants to select resilient varieties suited to the location. Varieties planted were: Elderberry, nanny berry, chokeberry, white spruce, white pine and box elder. Trees were planted with mycorrhiza and compost, then mulched. The city council funded this project, and city maintenance agreed to water and maintain the trees going forward. (GreenStep 16.4)

Hackensack Clean Energy Team discussed which of the 44 actions we may want to pursue in the near-term. We are also in the process of changing the name of our team to more accurately reflect all of the ways we are working to protect our local environment. See BPA 24.1

GreenSteps team has 4 community members and meets at least 4 times per year. Topics include addressing Minnesota’s changing climate. See BPA 24.1.

Lions and Rotary club members participate in the annual Tree Planting on Arbor Day. Community volunteers removed buckthorn along the Wagon Wheel Trail. See BPA 16.6.

City awarded Bike Friendly Bronze designation in May 2023. See BPA 12.1

Installing 33.1 kWh roof mounted solar PV system on the Aquatic Center building. RFP out 2024, install 2025.

Sustainability Coordinator for the City of La Crescent on board for 2024-5.

Planting 110 trees on Arbor Day - a mix of 8 different varieties of native trees. See BPA 16.3

Installed two rain gardens in the city in 2024. One in John S. Harris park and one at the intersection of McIntosh and Eagles Bluff Road. See BPA 17.5

GreenSteps team has 4 community members and meets at least 4 times per year. Topics include addressing Minnesota’s changing climate. See BPA 24.1.

Hosted UMN Sustainability Corps interns for 3 summers focused on supporting Gold Leaf actions.

City staff participate in MPCA Water Monitoring Program for Pine Creek. City staff report precipitation to CoCORhs regularly.

Hosted Tree Steward trainings for residents and city staff in 2022/23.

City staff "green team" meets quarterly to discuss ongoing projects related to sustainability and gather and organize information to coordinate and align projects.

Work with County on Tree Steward Program and coordinated volunteers to attend National Night Out events to engage with residents

Training program for tribal members to learn how to conduct energy audits and energy efficient building design

Monika worked with construction staff, reviewed electric bills and building data. NREL program using point cloud mapping, lidar, and modeling for projects. Training program for audits and retrofit installation. Building Up Prize for data/modeling/ prioritizing.

Climate Adaptation Plan adopted in 2021

Adopted a Climate Adaptation Plan in 2021. In 2024 the City began to draft a Climate Mitigation Plan, complete by spring/summer 2025.

Adopted a Green Building Code in 2013. Updated in 2025 based on performance based codes

2024 Climate Mitigation Plan Team formed to collaborate on GHG reduction strategies for the 2025 Climate Mitigation Plan. See BPA 24.1

Larger stormsewer pipe installed to reduce local business flood risk and direct to storm water system in Park. See BPA 29.5

Green Team created & met 4 times in 2024 to discuss climate change and Gold Leaf Challenge. See BPA 24.1

Rice Creek Commons project, purchased by Ramsey County from U.S. Government in 2013, offers a land sale discount during first phase (2025) of development at Outlot A to encourage inclusion of clean energy features, including ground-source heat pumps.

Environmental Center construction completed for public waste diversion services, funded through County Environmental Charge to improve efficiency and accessibility. Construction included: Geothermal energy, solar panels on the roof, infiltration basin on site collects and filters rainwater runoff from the facility rooftop, parking lot and driveways, reused pavers salvaged from University Avenue, approximately 1,770 cubic yards of compost made from food scraps was incorporated into the building’s landscape design. https://www.ramseycounty.us/content/ramsey-county-environmental-center-now-open

Active Living Ramsey Communities supports physical activity as a part of daily life through a coalition that implements system transformation, policy, and enhancing the built environment. (Active in 2025 - lifetime award)

Climate Action Equity Plan (CEAP) adopted May 2024. Overall goal: focus on enhancing equity, reducing disparities, and building resilience to climate change within communities, especially for underrecognized and climate-vulnerable populations.

Within the Climate Action Plan, adopted May 2024, there are 6 main goals/focuses that are outlined, including clean transportation, Climate-smart natural land, Thriving communities, Clean energy and efficient buildings, Healthy lives, and a Clean Economy. These umbrella goals are created to focus on the near, mid, and long-term future of building climate residency.
https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Recycling%20and%20Waste/Environment/RCCA-Climate%20Equity%20Action%20Plan2.29.24_8.5x11_2.pdf

Climate Action Equity Plan (CEAP), adopted May 2024, builds on previous efforts like the Strategic Energy Plan, Ramsey County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and the framework of the State of Minnesota’s Climate Equity Action Plan. The plan establishes clear near-, mid-, and long-term goals to guide implementation and reflects the county’s overarching vision of embedding climate equity into all aspects of its climate response.
https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Recycling%20and%20Waste/Environment/RCCA-Climate%20Equity%20Action%20Plan2.29.24_8.5x11_2.pdf

County Climate and Health Program Supervisor position since 2022, Climate Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, a Resilience Hub Coordinator, and a Cities Climate Capacity Builder were hired in 2024 - active through 2025. Work focused on creating climate equity and developing solutions for the county.

Equitable Climate Action Resident Advisory Team (ECARAT) includes 8 individuals who identify as climate-vulnerable and underrecognized. ECARAT provides guidance on county climate action initiatives to increase equitable outcomes for county departements. Launced June 2024, Active through 2025

June-Aug 2025 intern for the Gold Leaf program through UofM evaluated Gold Leaf actions taken by county. Interns also developing an Extreme Heat Adaptation Plan and engagement efforts for county.

The Urban Heat Island Study was a project that conducted a citizen science urban heat island data collection campaign in partnership with Hennepin County in June 2024. The goal of the project was to better understand urban heat islands. The data collected helps identify urban heat islands in both Ramsey and Hennepin counties, providing information that will help the counties take action to reduce the negative impacts of extreme heat.

Procurement spending chart updated for 2025 aims to increase local purchasing from small, certified businesses as part of its commitment to economic inclusion, prioritizing purchasing goods and services from businesses certified through the Central Certification (CERT) Program, which supports Small Business Enterprises, Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, and Minority-Women-Owned businesses. Eligible applicants may also be designated as Emerging Small Business Enterprises. This purchasing is documented through a bi-monthly updated chart that tracks total procurement spending, highlighting the percentage spent with Small Business Enterprises, Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, and Minority-Women-Owned Business Enterprises, as well as nonprofit and government organizations.

Co-design meetings helped inform site characteristics of future Resilience Hubs (communications, programming, building characteristics/needs, etc.) Final Executive Summary of co-design process and outcomes completed.

The county led a yearlong engagement process to better understand residents' climate-related needs by hiring equity strategists, conducting online surveys for residents, holding internal review meetings, and hosting climate action community conversations. The development of the county’s action plan centered community input and addressed the county’s role and capacity to act, aiming to align climate actions with existing programs and identify where new resources are needed.

Internal Sustainability & Resiliency Community Work Plan developed with a community task force

GreenCorps member working on stormwater projects including private rain garden installations.

Aspirational in 2023. Awarded Community Forestry Grant (1,000 trees/year and 5 person forestry crew for youth/underserved, local partners).

Formal youth position on Sustainability & Resiliency Commission adopted with update of Commission Charter in May 2023.
Mayor's Youth Council - presentations 2x/year to provide updates and engagement opportunities related to city sustainability efforts.

Meet regularly with Mayo High School environmental club. Completed school recycling audit in February 2023. Hosted student intern summer 2023.

Adopt-A-Spot (park, drain, stormwater pond, block, etc.), Annual Spring Litter Bit Better as well as a fall campaign in October 2024.

Stream monitoring program

Assessments with ADM for performance contracting

Working with county on regional planning; walk audit with UofM students

https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Recycling%20and%20Waste/Environment/RCCA-Climate%20Equity%20Action%20Plan2.29.24_8.5x11_2.pdf

Full-time Sustainability Coordinator hired 2023

Regular community meetings with a local climate advocacy group, Roseville Green Team/Public Works, Environment, and Transportation Commission to research and develop new policies and programs related to sustainability, climate change, and environmental justice.

Student intern from Winona State University for the summer of 2024 assisted with updating our Green Remodeling Planbook, a review of our Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy with recommendations for improvements, outreach with our Energy Action plan and Bike plan, plus additional assistance on Green to Go outreach and writing an article for our Sustainability Newsletter.

2024 Bike Summit included audits, planning, and networking with online engagement survey and interactive map

Contracted with WSB & Associates to draft Climate Plan for the City. Adopted 2023. (BPA 6.5)

Sustainability Coordinator hired in 2024 (BPA 24.1)

Harding Pond stormwater pond clean-out

Parks and Environmental Commission meets quarterly (BPA 24.1)

High school student appointed to each city commission (1 in 2024) (BPA 24.6)

Annual Water Conservation Poster Contest with 3rd and 4th grade students (BPA 24.6)