Stillwater, Minnesota, is actively engaging in various environmental initiatives to promote sustainability and enhance the quality of life for its residents. These efforts encompass community-driven programs, educational opportunities, and strategic planning aimed at preserving the natural beauty and ecological health 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 that is managed to reflect three major biomes found in Minnesota. The property includes an oak forest, prairie, and coniferous planting. There are also several ponds that hold water for part of the year. Students can visit several learning circles that have benches to do a variety of learning activities. The field biology course uses this area extensively, banding migratory birds, trapping and marking small mammals, attaching radio collars to wildlife, and using camera traps to capture photos of wildlife.
Sustainable Stillwater MN: A Community-Driven Effort
In 2013, a small group of local residents and high school students came together to imagine a greener future for Stillwater. They hosted a community-wide visioning session to ask one simple question: How can we make Stillwater more sustainable? That early spark set the foundation for what would become Sustainable Stillwater MN. The group grew over the next few years, building partnerships with city leaders, local businesses, and volunteers. In 2016, the effort was publicly launched as Sustainable Stillwater MN (SSMN), an independent grassroots initiative dedicated to promoting sustainability across the community.
Bird City Program: Protecting Avian Habitats
The Bird City Program advances Stillwater’s commitment to protecting birds and the ecosystems they depend on through education, habitat stewardship, and community collaboration. Guided by best practices established by the Minnesota Audubon Society, the program focuses on engaging residents in bird conservation, restoring and enhancing habitat, and reducing human-caused threats to birds. These efforts reflect the understanding that healthy bird populations are a strong indicator of a healthy environment for people as well.
Energy Action Plan: A Vision for Sustainable Energy
Stillwater’s Energy Action Plan educates and inspires residents and businesses to engage in energy action. With a focus on saving energy, the plan aims to save the community money, reduce emissions, and increase energy resiliency while embracing Stillwater’s historic character and preserving it for future generations.
Addressing PFAS Contamination
The City of Stillwater remains committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As part of this commitment, construction is well underway for a new PFAS treatment facility at Well #10. Since breaking ground in mid-September, progress includes new sanitary sewer manholes, new raw water and finished water piping connections, and concrete footings for the new treatment building. Despite the cold and snow that has recently set in, work will continue throughout the winter. Concrete foundation wall placements are planned for December; framing for the new treatment building will begin around the first of the year and continue throughout January; and the full project is expected to be substantially complete by May 1, 2026.
These initiatives reflect Stillwater’s dedication to fostering a sustainable and environmentally conscious community. Through collaborative efforts and proactive planning, the city continues to make strides in preserving its natural resources and promoting a greener future for all residents.