Issue 297 - January 3, 2012

Welcome again to the Minnesota Sustainable Communities Network (MnSCN) e-Newsletter, produced by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. If this is your first e-mail from MnSCN, read more about the e-Newsletter.

Thanks for your continuing interest. We hope that the following timely information will assist you in promoting attitudes and practices in your community that are socially, environmentally, and economically sound. These updates typically include a great deal of material sent in by members; send suggestions to nextstep@state.mn.us. We also encourage you to forward this update to others and to reprint material from the update.

January 3, 2012, Issue #297

In this issue:

Back to Basics - From Me to We: January 28, Pine River, MN

Sustainable New Year's Resolutions

Conservation Stewardship Program Enrollment - deadline January 13

Conservation Stewardship Program Enrollment - deadline January 13

Energy and Sustainable Living Class starts January 9 - online, and hands-on

US EPA Community Green Power Webinar - January 18

MnDOT Mileage-Based User Fee Report

Money Available

Jobs Available - many listings!

Upcoming Events

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Back to Basics - From Me to We: Building Community

January 28, Pine River, MN

http://www.happydancingturtle.org

Saturday, January 28, 2012

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Pine River-Backus School

Pine River, MN

$25 full day, including lunch

($20 for seniors 60+ & full-time students)

$5/individual single workshop sessions

$10/individual double workshop sessions

$8 lunch

$15 full day K-6 Children's Program,

Including Lunch

Booths open to public, anytime, free of charge!

Learn how to be individually sustainable while building a vibrant, sustainable community.

Event includes workshop sessions, keynote speakers, vendors, exhibitors, luncheon, door prizes, and more! .4 continuing education credits available.

School-aged (K-6) children's programming runs concurrently.

Event sponsored by Happy Dancing Turtle, Pine River-Backus Community Education, and Central Lakes College.

Morning Keynote: Jamie Lee, Author

Jamie Lee is an award-winning author, presenter, and self-proclaimed dabbler. Dubbed "The Northwoods Renaissance Woman" by Northwoods Woman Magazine, Jamie has written several books, over 70 programs for public radio, and one film documentary, which aired nationally in 2010. She and her husband, Milt Lee, have recently moved back to the North Country and built a straw bale home.

Afternoon Keynote: Brett Olson, Creative Director, Renewing the Countryside

Brett Olson is the co-founder and President of Green Routes, a "triple bottom line" economic development travel project of Renewing the Countryside. Growing up in small towns across the west his feet are rooted in rural America. His professional work has led him to co-create and promote many tools that can help sustain healthy and vibrant rural communities.

Workshops include (among many others):

* Growing Natural Capital

* Community Food Systems: Panel Discussion

* Exploring the Impacts of Current Development Patterns in Building Strong Communities

* Building Resilient Communities: Panel Discussion

* Solar 101

* Seed Saving

* The No-Weed Garden

Registration forms may also be downloaded from www.happydancingturtle.org

Sustainable New Year's Resolutions

Tired of "recycling" the same old New Year's resolutions that you know you will (likely) stuggle to keep?

For 2012, consider a "change-up" in your typical resolution routine by committing to some sustainable actions.

Ideas below are modified from those suggested by writer Shawn Dell Joyce for green/sustainable resolutions at the Creators.com website: http://bit.ly/Anbjh2

- Go on a low-carbon diet.

Considering that the average American household has a carbon footprint of 22,000 pounds per year, there's plenty of carbon to cut. (www.EmpowermentInstitute.net)

- Take the 100-Mile Diet challenge.

The average American fork-full of food traveled 1500 miles to reach your mouth. By eating locally, we save emissions of transporting food and the livelihoods of local farmers. We also eat fresher, more nutritious food, and we become intimately connected to the land and the seasons.

- Set a zero-waste goal.

Make recycling, composting, washing and reusing into common practices. Carry your own mug or reusable water container to avoid generating more petroleum-based plastics. Stash a set of tote bags in your car for shopping, and refuse to accept any disposables. (www.GRRN.org)

- Take the 10 Percent challenge.

Try spending 10 percent of your income at locally-owned businesses. This keeps your money flowing locally, where it grows and multiplies as local businesses frequent other local businesses. This one act will improve your local economy and save Main Street - and maybe even your job.

- Convert to renewable energy.

Curb 30 percent of your family's emissions by switching to renewable energy. If solar panels or a wind turbine are out of your price range, consider buying wind energy through your energy utility.

- Create Community.

Be the change you want to see. Take time to know your neighbors, walk to the store and see what small businesses you could be frequenting that you didn't even know existed. Spend precious time and energy getting involved in your community by volunteering and becoming active in community affairs. Become deeply rooted in your community and bloom where you are planted!

Additional ideas for New Year's resolutions can be found at the following sites:

http://greenliving.about.com/od/greenprograms/tp/green_new_years_resolutions.htm

http://huff.to/tnUovJ

http://bit.ly/vuxupY

http://www.ecofabulous.com/lifestyle/green-new-years-resolution/

Sustainable Cities Institute - web site and free e-newsletter

http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org

The following text is modified from the web site above. Thanks to NextStep subscriber Gayle Prest for suggesting this useful resource!

The Home Depot Foundation (THDF) has created the Sustainable Cities Institute (SCI), which is grounded in the belief that a sustainable community effort consists of a long-term, integrated and systematic approach to developing and achieving a healthy community by jointly addressing economic, environmental, and social issues.

SCI is a tool that individuals and cities can utilize for a holistic, long-term approach to sustainability planning and implementation of healthy communities. The very comprehensive SCI website is a dynamic online toolbox that was initially built by THDF, but is shaped by its users, who post, comment and contribute to the website. It was developed based upon input from sustainability directors, city leaders and technical experts.

From its homepage, you can navigate through topic areas including Economic Development, Water, Materials Management, Land Use and Transportation; as well as through classrooms, communication labs, a planning center and a library. In addition, there are forums, webinars, a calendar, City Profiles and an interactive "Sustainable City" map.

Memberships to SCI are free, and include a useful e-newsletter. Visit https://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/session/register to sign up!

Conservation Stewardship Program Enrollment - Deadline January 13

The following text was adapted from a press release on the Land Stewardship Project web site at http://landstewardshipproject.org/pr/11/newsr_111219.htm

Minnesota farmers have until January 13 to apply for enrollment in the current round of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Through CSP, the USDA makes payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on working land and who agree to adopt additional levels of stewardship.

To begin the CSP application process, farmers should contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. Following the initial application, farmers will complete a farm assessment with NRCS staff.

According to USDA data, 2,342 CSP contracts have supported conservation measures on almost 1.5 million acres in Minnesota since 2009. Resource conserving crop rotations, managed rotational grazing, conservation tillage and wildlife habitat protection and establishment are just a few of the measures supported through CSP.

Payments to farmers for CSP vary depending on total acres enrolled, land classification, conservation achieved and conservation to be attained by the end of the five-year contract. The average Minnesota agriculture land contract in 2011 was $25,651 over a five-year period.

For more information, see the web site above.

Energy and Sustainable Living Class from Winona State University starts January 9 - online, plus hands-on learning

http://bit.ly/rYyIqv

The following information is adapted from the Winona State University web site above.

Winona State University is offering an online course called Energy and Sustainable Living, which also includes an overnight hands on learning experience.

The class aims to address the following questions:

How do we make sense of and respond effectively to the challenges of increasingly limited natural resources and environmental degradation?

How do we become leaders who can show the way to live and work sustainably in our homes, businesses and communities?

How do we discover opportunities and develop skills and knowledge for the emerging green economy?

Energy and Sustainable Living provides participants the opportunity to explore these questions and much more. Conveniently offered online with a weekend field experience, this course is designed for adults 18 years and older who want to 'green up' their skills and develop a basic understanding of environmental sustainability that can be applied in their communities, homes, and workplaces.

The course instructor, Rich Huelskamp, has over 25 years of supporting, educating, and assisting homeowners and business owners as well as Minnesota's energy industry professionals.

The course begins on January 9, 2012 with 40 hours of online study, and will continue with an overnight, 16 hour, hands-on learning experience April 14 - 15, 2012 at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Overnight lodging and meals in Lanesboro is included in the cost of the course.

Tuition is $600.

In this course, participants will be able to:

* Review the basics of energy efficiency for residences and businesses.

* Identify alternative building and transportation options, and ways to sustainably clean up the home or business,

* Define basic concepts related to clean energy, carbon emissions, resource conservation, and green technologies.

* Develop job skills for the green economy and identify new job opportunities.

* Develop skills to be a leader in your community on energy resources and sustainability.

The course was developed in collaboration with the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Clean Energy Resource Teams, and Winona County Environmental Services with contributions from more than 25 national and regional organizations and subject matter experts.

For more information, or to register, see the web site above.

US EPA Community Green Power Webinar - January 18

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/events/18jan12_webinar.htm

The following text is adapted from the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) web site above.

On Wednesday, January 18, 2012, from 1:00 - 2:15 pm (EST), the US EPA's Green Power Partnership (GPP) will host a free webinar focusing on green power use in communities.

GPP will co-host this webinar with EPA's State and Local Climate and Energy Program to highlight how municipalities from around the country are leveraging EPA programs to reduce the impacts of their communities' energy use.

EPA program managers will discuss the Green Power Community and Climate Showcase Communities programs as well as the tools and resources these programs offer participating communities.

Representatives from two EPA Green Power Communities - Washington, DC and Corvallis, Oregon - will present information on their Green Power Community experience; Corvallis will also discuss its Climate Showcase activities.

Speakers include:

Mollie Lemon, Communications Director, U.S. EPA's Green Power Partnership

Emma Zinsmeister, Lead Local Climate-Strategy Analyst, EPA's State and Local Climate Energy Program

Emil King , Policy Analyst, District Department of the Environment

Michael Yambrach, Energy Manager, District Department of General Services

Linda Lovett, Sustainability Supervisor, Corvallis, Oregon

To register for this webinar, visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/576616378

MnDOT Mileage-Based User Fee Report

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/newsrels/11/12/16mbuf.html

The following is adapted from a December 16, 2011 Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) press release at the web site above.

A task force charged with considering the implications of implementing a mileage-based user fee (MBUF) has delivered a 24-page report in December 2011 recognizing that such a fee could be fair and flexible, but should not be implemented until concerns are satisfactorily addressed.

The report cited several issues for MnDOT to address, including privacy, administrative cost, complexity, phasing, and unfamiliarity of the concept among policymakers and the public. The task force agreed that Minnesota's future transportation funding sources should ensure all drivers pay their fair share for building and maintaining the transportation system and should be flexible to cover all vehicles, regardless of the type of fuel used.

Additional benefits of an MBUF include sustainability, different rates for different conditions, value-added services and system management. The group identified the following concerns about a potential MBUF system: administrative cost, privacy, jurisdiction issues, feasibility, complexity, public acceptance and use of revenues.

One of the primary issues the task force explored was the fairness of the gas tax during an era in which less gas will be used.

All of the 25-member task force endorsed the report which included a minority opinion to express viewpoints not shared by the majority of members.

All documents and information on MnDOT's MBUF technology research project, including this report, are available at www.mndot.gov/mileagebaseduserfee

Money Available

Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Grants

http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/

The following is adapted from a LCCMR press release on the web site above.

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has issued its 2012 - 2013 Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund beginning July 1, 2013. Approximately $31 million is expected to be available for projects being sought in environment and natural resource areas that will provide multiple ecological and other public benefits. Proposals responding to the 2012-2013 RFP are due Friday, April 6, 2012.

Proposals are being requested in the following six areas:

1. The Reinvest in Minnesota program as provided in M.S. 84.95, Subd. 2.

2. Research that contributes to increasing the effectiveness of protecting or managing the state's environment or natural resources.

3. Collection and analysis of information that assists in developing the state's environmental and natural resources policies.

4. Enhancement of public education, awareness, and understanding necessary for the protection, conservation, restoration, and enhancement of air, land, water, forests, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.

5. Capital projects for the preservation and protection of unique natural resources.

6. Activities that preserve or enhance fish, wildlife, land, air, water, and other natural resources that otherwise may be substantially impaired or destroyed in any area of the state.

For more details and to access the RFP, see the web site above.

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DNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grants

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/cpl/index.html

Organizations and governments now can apply for fish and wildlife habitat improvement grants. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant applications for projects ranging from $5,000 to $400,000.

Funds must be used to enhance, restore or protect the forests, wetlands, prairies and habitat for fish, game or wildlife in Minnesota. A total of $3.48 million is available. The application deadline is Wednesday, February 8, 2012.

For more details, see the web site above.

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Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Grants

http://www.mwmo.org/stewardshipfund.html

The following text is adapted from the web site above.

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) is inviting applicants for grants from its Stewardship Fund grant to work together to improve water quality in the MWMO. The MWMO includes parts of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, the City of Saint Anthony Village, and Lauderdale.

Projects funded through the Stewardship Fund Program should achieve the following:

1) Improve water quality or improve water and natural resource management

Projects may reduce pollution (both point and non-point source) entering surface and groundwater, prevent flooding, lessen the effects of drought, increase the capacity of the watershed to store water, and/or restore or maintain habitat and native plant communities.

2) Build community understanding, knowledge, and initiative related to water and natural resource issues and solutions

Projects should educate and engage people in the watershed regarding watershed issues, resulting in awareness and changed behaviors. Organizations receiving grants will increase their capacity to lead and promote water quality efforts.

$250,000 is available annually through three types of grants:

* Mini Grants up to $2,000

* Planning Grants up to $10,000

* Action Grants up to $50,000

There is an upcoming February 1, 2012 deadline for Planning Grants and Mini Grants.

For more details, see the web site above.

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2012 American Forest & Paper Association Recycling Awards

http://www.paperrecyclingawards.com/

The following text is modified from the web site above.

Each year the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) Recycling Awards recognize outstanding paper recycling efforts. Enter your business, community, or school program today for the chance to win a $2,000 cash prize, original framed artwork, and recognition in local and national media.

The entry deadline is Friday, February 10, 2012.

For more details, see the web site above.

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US EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants

http://www.epa.gov/compliance/ej/grants/ej-smgrants.html

The following text is modified from the web site above.

The US Environmental Protection Agency's (US EPA) Environmental Justice Small Grants Program supports and empowers communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues. The program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships to help them understand and address environmental and public health issues in their communities. Successful collaborative partnerships involve not only well-designed strategic plans to build, maintain and sustain the partnerships, but also working towards addressing the local environmental and public health issues.

Grant applications are being accepted through February 29, 2012 for $1 million in funding to support projects designed to research, educate, empower and enable communities to understand and address local environmental and public health issues. Funding is available for grants up to $25,000 each.

For more details, see the web site above.

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DNR offers grants to diversify Minnesota's community forests against pests, disease and damage

http://bit.ly/vjvZJm

The following text is adapted from the web site above.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting project proposals to diversify community forests using Community Forest Bonding grants for 2012-2014. Grants are open to all cities, counties, townships, and park and recreation boards in cities with more than 100,000 residents.

Applications are due by February 17.

Grants will be made for the planting of native Minnesota shade trees on public land to: replace trees lost to forest pests, disease and storms; establish a more diverse and resilient community forest; and remove and replace ash trees in communities with a known emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation within their boundaries or that have public lands within a one-mile radius of state-designated "known EAB infested areas."

The maximum grant award for planting for diversity projects is $25,000 and the maximum grant award for forest pest removal and replanting projects is $150,000.

There is no match requirement for this grant.

For more details, see the web site above or click on http://bit.ly/yy59lz

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For more web sites of grant/loan programs, see:

* Grant web pages from all Minnesota State Agencies: http://www.grants.state.mn.us/public/

* NextStep list of grants/loans: http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/resources.cfm?type=10

Jobs Available and Jobs Wanted at www.nextstep.state.mn.us/jobs.cfm

See the NextStep job board http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/jobs.cfm for a variety of organizational postings including these below, talented people offering their skills, and other job listings that post jobs in the field of sustainability.

Current jobs available include, among others:

St. Croix River Association: River Protection Steward (deadline January 15)

The Izaak Walton League of America: Energy Associate (deadline January 13)

Friends of the Mississippi River: Event Manager (deadline January 17)

City of Woodbury: Assistant to the City Administrator (deadline January 23)

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa: Field Crew Member (AmeriCorps position) (open until filled)

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa: Ramsey County Youth Corps Member (AmeriCorps position) (open until filled)

Hennepin County (Housing, Community Works, and Transit): Executive Assistant (deadline January 6)

Minnesota Jaycees: Executive Director (deadline January 20)

Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota: Program Coordinator (deadline January 15)

Featherstone Farm: Experienced Equipment Operator (open until filled)

Sibley County: Watershed Grants Coordinator (High Island and Rush River) (deadline January 6)

Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG): Transportation Planning/Data Analyst (open until filled)

Cass County: Forest Resource Manager (deadline January 10)

Twin Cities Community Land Bank: President (deadline January 20)

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation: Research Assistant (2 positions) (deadline January 11)

Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association: Chapter Coordinator (deadline January 15)

St. Cloud Area Planning Organization: Senior Transportation Planner (deadline January 31)

St. Cloud Area Planning Organization: Multi-Modal Planner/GIS Specialist (deadline January 31)

City of Wayzata: City Manager (deadline January 13)

City of Olivia: City Administrator (deadline January 9)

City of North St. Paul: Economic Development Director (deadline January 5)

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa: Conservation Easement Specialist (AmeriCorps position) (deadline January 20)

Eureka Recycling: Zero-Waste Education Specialist: Hmong or Somali Specialist (open until filled)

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Current internships available include:

Eureka Recycling: Non-Profit Business Intern: Recycled Paper Cooperative (unpaid) (open until filled)

Eureka Recycling: Zero-Waste Education Intern: Focus on Multi-Family Building Recycling (unpaid) (open until filled)

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Here are other job listings and resources:

SEEK (environmental education): http://www.seek.state.mn.us/jobs.cfm

MN Environmental Partnership: http://www.mepartnership.org/mep_jobs.asp

MN Council of Nonprofits: http://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/jobs

Idealist: http://www.idealist.org

Green Dream Jobs: www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/greendreamjobs.main

League of MN Cities, City Job Postings: http://www.lmc.org/page/1/city-jobs.jsp

Association of MN Counties, County Job Postings: http://www.mncounties.org/employment.html

Minnesota State Government Jobs: https://statejobs.doer.state.mn.us/JobPosting

Metropolitan Council Jobs: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/metrocouncil/default.cfm

University of Minnesota Jobs: https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp

Federal Government Job Postings: http://www.usajobs.com

Forum for Women in the Environmental Field Job Listings: http://www.fwef.org/employment

National Green Collar Jobs Board: http://www.sustainlane.com/green-jobs

MinnesotaWorks.net: https://www.minnesotaworks.net/

Upcoming Events at www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar.cfm

Featured events include:

* 11th Annual Human Population Conference - School of Environmental Studies http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5534 - free, January 4 & 5, Apple Valley, MN

* State of the Plate: Minnesota Healthy Food Futures http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5541 - $50, January 5, Brooklyn Center, MN

* Intro to Permaculture http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5545 - $50, January 7, Minneapolis, MN

* Farm Dreams: Exploring Your Future in Farming http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5521 - $40, January 8, Clinton, MN or River Falls, WI

* NE CERT Silicon Energy Solar Event http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5535 - free, January 11, Mt. Iron, MN

* Minnesota Organic Conference and Trade Show http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5483 - $125 ($150 after December 30), January 13 - 14, St. Cloud, MN

* Metropolitan Council State of the Region Event http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5546 - free, January 18, Minneapolis, MN

* Annual Minnesota Wetlands Conference http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5531 - $175, January 18, Brooklyn Park, MN

* BAELN Event: Prairie Recovery Project, a conservation model for sustainable protection http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5519 - free, January 19, Baxter/Brainerd, MN

* Renewable Energy 101 http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5525 - $75, January 21, St. Paul, MN

* Minnesota Green Chemistry 2012: Strategies for Growth http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5500 - $30 - $75 ($30 - $100 after December 20), January 26, Minneapolis, MN

* Back to Basics - From Me to We: Building Community http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5507 - $25, January 28, Pine River, MN

* 7th Annual Immigrant and Minority Farmers Conference http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5542 - $100, February 3 - 4, St. Paul, MN

* Solar PV 102 http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5527 - $100, February 5, White Bear Lake, MN

* First Annual City of Minneapolis Community Connections Conference: "Better Communities through Neighborhoods" http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5544 - February 11, Minneapolis, MN

* Sustainable Film Series: Be the Change http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5543 - free, February 15, Minneapolis, MN

* BAELN Event: Creating Partnerships while establishing a community garden http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5520 - free, February 16, Baxter/Brainerd, MN

* Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Annual Conference http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5491 - $85, February 18, St. Joseph, MN

* MOSES Organic Farming Conference http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5522 - $180 before January 16 (between January 17 - February 13: $195; Walk-in: $215), February 23 - 25, La Crosse, WI

* Solar Hot Water 103 http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/calendar_detail.cfm?eventid=5528 - $100, February 25, White Bear Lake, MN

See these and many other upcoming events at the NextStep Calendar, onto which anyone can post events, for:

* Other future and past events

* Links to other web-based calendars for:

o Sustainable Agriculture

o Environmental Education

o Minnesota River Events

o Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living

o Transportation

o Green Buildings

This e-Newsletter on sustainability-related information is sent bi-weekly by the list moderator, staff of the Sustainable Communities team at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, a state agency. We hope that you will find this information useful, but if at some point you would like to be removed from the list, please e-mail nextstep@state.mn.us.

If you are receiving this e-mail and have not registered as an MnSCN member, please join by sending an e-mail to nextstep@state.mn.us with your name, organizational affiliation (if any), address, phone (optional) and FAX. Also note if you would not like to have your name shared with others in the MnSCN member directory published each year.

This list does not offer members the ability to post information directly to it.

For further information and questions about the MPCA or the MnSCN, please feel free to contact Philipp Muessig or Paul Moss at 651/296-6300 or 800/657-3864, or see www.pca.state.mn.us/sustainability

We encourage submissions of local examples of sustainable community activities, guidebooks and other tools, studies, speakers, conferences, workshops, meetings, grant and loan funds, and courses that might be of interest to MnSCN members. Please e-mail us: nextstep@state.mn.us. Your response will not be posted directly to this list, but will be considered for inclusion in a future update to MnSCN members.