December 2020 - Construction, Demolition, and Building Material Reuse

In this webinar, organized and co-hosted with Rethos, presented live on December 16, 2020, we learned about reusing building materials from construction and demolition.

Agenda: 

9:00: Welcome & Introduction

9:05-9:25: Random Networking : SHOW & TELL - Share an example of a reuse/repair/repurposing project you have completed at home. Bonus points for pictures or real-time show and tell.

9:25-9:40: Sustainable Building Work Group - Erin Hanafin Berg, Rethos

9:40-10:00 - Master Recycler and Deconstruction Advocate - Shari Hansen, Sunfish Lake

10:00-10:20 - Counties Lead with Policy and Funding - Olivia Cashman, Hennepin County

10:20-10:40 - Deconstruction Initiatives Take Off - Emily Barker, St. Louis Park

10:40-10:50 - Why Old is Green and Rethos programs - Erin Hanafin Berg, Rethos

10:50-11:00 - Q&A

11:00 - Conclusion

View the webinar recording

View the PowerPoints and additional materials   

• Best Practice Action 22.8
• Videos: 

• Fox21 - Duluth

• KSTP - Hennepin County

• Saint Louis Park - Minnetonka Boulevard house
  

• Saint Louis Park - Westwood Nature Center

• Salvage and Reuse Facilities: 
• MPCA list 
• Hennepin County list 
• Studies on costs of deconstruction vs. demolition: 
• Hennepin County
• Delta Institute
• Human-Made Materials Now Weigh More Than All Life on Earth Combined - Smithsonian Magazine

Register for upcoming GreenStep Cities technical workshops here. You do not need to be a GreenStep City to attend.

 Visit the GreenStep Cities program website at www.mngreenstep.org.

November 2020 - Strategies & Approaches to Reduce Energy Burden

In this webinar, organized and co-hosted with Clean Energy Resource Teams and the Great Plains Institute, presented live on November 18, 2020, we learned about the strategies and approaches for reducing energy burdens on community members. 

Agenda: 

9:00 Welcome and Topic Introduction
9:10 Context Setting, Lissa Pawlisch, Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs)
9:20 Solar Access and Data, Jessi Wyatt, Great Plains Institute
9:30 Reflection and Discussion
9:40 Topic presentations:

• Solar Access & Jobs, Kristel Porter, Minnesota Renewable Now (cancelled)
• Inclusive financing, Shannon Mortenson, City of Warren
• Efficiency in Manufactured Homes, Jennyffer Barriento, Growing up Healthy
• Working with you HRA, Nick Larson and John Howard, City of Winona
• Leech Lake Community Solar, Brandy Toft, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

10:20 Breakout Discussion
11:00 Close 

View the webinar recording

View the PowerPoints and additional materials  

  

Additional resources and links

Minnesota 2019 Home Energy Affordability Gap and additional detail (Fisher, Sheehan, & Colton)

Minnesota's Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (MN Dept. of Commerce)

Register for upcoming GreenStep Cities technical workshops here. You do not need to be a GreenStep City to attend.

 Visit the GreenStep Cities program website at www.mngreenstep.org.

October 2020 - Creating cultural and behavior shifts in sustainability

In this webinar, organized and co-hosted with GreenStep Schools, presented live on October 21, 2020, we learned about the science & strategies for creating cultural & behavioral shifts towards sustainability.

Agenda: 

9:00: Welcome
9:05-9:15: Random Networking
9:15-9:40: Behavior Change Programs – Alexis Troschinetz, Clean Energy Resource Teams
9:40-10:10: Psychology of Sustainability – Dr. Elise L. Amel, University of St. Thomas; Co-Author, Psychology for Sustainability
10:10-10:25: City Examples 

• City of Faribault, Dave Wanberg 
• City of Richfield, Jack Broz

10:25-10:45: Breakout Sessions

• Green Teams (internal, joint, or external)
• Sustainable campaigns and outreach (to citizens and businesses)
• Empowering sustainable behavior among city or school staff

10:45-11:00: Closing 

View the webinar recording

View the PowerPoints and additional materials: 

 

• Key behavior change strategies table, MN CERTs
• Behavior change worksheet, MN CERTs 
• Resilient Cities & Communities
• New resources for BPA 24, RCC
• Best Practice 24: Benchmarks and Community Engagement 

Register for upcoming GreenStep Cities technical workshops here. You do not need to be a GreenStep City to attend.

 Visit the GreenStep Cities program website at www.mngreenstep.org.

September 2020 - Safe Routes to Schools in the Time of COVID

In this webinar, organized and co-hosted with GreenStep Schools and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, presented live on September 17, we learned about the Safe Routes to School program and considerations for cities and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Should a school drop-off zone be re-designed to spread out traffic and students?
• How can the city or school promote outdoor walking or biking to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus?
• Are there training tools for crossing guards and school staff?
• Are your sidewalks and crossings safe for students?
• Can you still promote outdoor healthy-living activities when students are learning virtually?

Agenda:

9:00-9:20 Introductions

9:20-9:40 Safe Routes to School overview and resources, Kelly Corbin – Safe Routes to School Coordinator, MnDOT

9:40-9:50 Q&A

9:50-10:15 SRTS considerations for city and school planners during the COVID pandemic, Kelly Corbin – Safe Routes to School Coordinator, MnDOT

10:15-10:30 Q&A

10:30-10:45 Richfield Public Schools, Will Wlizlo - Safe Routes to School Coordinator

10:45-11:00 Discussion and Close

Co-hosted by GreenStep Cities, GreenStep Schools, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation

View the webinar recording 

View the PowerPoints and additional materials:

City officials can register for upcoming GreenStep Cities technical workshops here. Your city does not need to be a member of the GreenStep Cities program to attend.

 Visit the GreenStep Cities program website at www.mngreenstep.org.

August 2020 GreenStep Cities Workshop Archive: Sustainability Planning in Southeast Communities

 In this webinar, organized and co-hosted with Clean Energy Resource Teams, presented live on August 8, you can learn about how four cities in SE Minnesota have tackled sustainability and resilience planning through comprehensive plans, energy action plans, community engagement, and more. 

Agenda:

·      David Wanberg, Faribault City Planner

·      Melissa Baartman, Red Wing Community and Economic Development Coordinator

·      Beth Kallestad, Program Coordinator for the City of Northfield 

·      Kevin Bright, Sustainability Director for Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester  

Small Group Discussions on: 

·       How to achieve culture change and/or educate about sustainability (David Wanberg)

·       The role of equity in sustainability and resiliency planning (Keving Bright)

·       The importance of a green team or environmental commission in planning (CERTs staff)

·       Why and how to develop a climate action plan (Melissa Baartman)

·       Which is better a short or long-term climate action plan (Beth Kallestad)

·       How has GSC helped with sustainability planning and how could it be more helpful (Kristin Mroz)

View the PowerPoints and additional materials:
Faribault

Red Wing 

Rochester

City of Fort Collins, CO Stakeholder Power Analysis  

View the webinar recording: 
Not yet available 

 
City officials can register for upcoming GreenStep Cities technical workshops here. Your city does not need to be a member of the GreenStep Cities program to attend.

 Visit the GreenStep Cities program website at www.mngreenstep.org.

March 2020 GreenStep Cities Workshop Archive: Commercial Energy Benchmarking City Case Studies & Policies

In this webinar, presented live on March 4, you can learn about commercial building benchmarking and what options your city might consider in implementing a program or policy to encourage efficient commercial building practices.

Agenda:
Building Benchmarking: Katie Jones, Center for Energy and Environment (CEE)
Benchmarking Policy Panel: local government staff
Efficient Buildings Collaborative: Abby Finis

View the PDF:


City officials can register for upcoming GreenStep Cities technical workshops here. Your city does not need to be a member of the GreenStep Cities program to attend.

 Visit the GreenStep Cities program website at www.mngreenstep.org.

February 2020 GreenStep Cities Workshop Archive: Tidying Up — Do Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions Spark Joy?

In this webinar, presented live on Feb. 5, 2020, you can dive into the ways that communities can “tidy up” their emissions for impactful climate action and ultimately spark joy. The focus of this session will rest on the three biggest local impact opportunities: transportation, clean energy, and energy efficiency, and provide opportunities and strategies for emissions reduction across these sectors.

Agenda:
Abby Finis, Senior Energy Planner, Great Plains Institute
Ash Narayanan, Executive Director, Our Streets Minneapolis
Katie Jones, Certified Energy Manager, Benchmarking Outreach and Policy Specialist, Center for Energy and Environment (CEE)
Jessi Wyatt, Energy Planner and Analyst, Great Plains Institute

View the PDF:

City officials can register for upcoming GreenStep Cities technical workshops here. Your city does not need to be a member of the GreenStep Cities program to attend.

 Visit the GreenStep Cities program website at www.mngreenstep.org.