Stillwater, Minnesota, is actively pursuing sustainability through various community-driven environmental initiatives. These efforts aim to enhance the quality of life for residents while preserving the natural beauty of the area.
Environmental Learning Center at Stillwater Area High School
The Environmental Learning Center (ELC) is a 55-acre parcel behind Stillwater Area High School, managed to reflect Minnesota’s major biomes: oak forest, prairie, and coniferous planting. The ELC includes several ponds and learning circles with benches for various educational activities. Students engage in field biology courses, band migratory birds, trap and mark small mammals, and use camera traps to capture wildlife photos. Public hiking is encouraged, but dogs are not allowed in the ELC.
Sustainable Stillwater MN
Established in 2016, Sustainable Stillwater MN (SSMN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability across the community. SSMN has been instrumental in initiatives such as the Green Business Directory, Safe Routes to School, and the adoption of the GreenStep Cities plan. The organization focuses on three key pillars: Environment, Economy, and Community, reflecting a balanced vision for the future.
GreenStep Cities Program
Since 2018, Stillwater has been designated a Minnesota GreenStep City, thanks in part to the efforts of the Sustainable Stillwater GreenStep team. The GreenStep program provides guidelines to help cities achieve sustainability, resiliency, and a better quality of life for their citizens. The GreenStep Group collaborates with city officials to coordinate local programs and practices under the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, addressing green building, energy efficiency, natural resource conservation, transportation, and more.
Energy Action Plan
Stillwater community members collaborated to create an Energy Action Plan at no additional cost to the City of Stillwater. The plan offers residents, businesses, and the city a path forward to save energy and manage costs while avoiding carbon emissions. The plan aims to educate and inspire residents and businesses to engage in energy action, focusing on saving energy, reducing emissions, and increasing energy resiliency while embracing Stillwater’s historic character and preserving it for future generations.
These initiatives demonstrate Stillwater’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, fostering a healthier and more resilient community for all.