About

Launched in 2009, Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide program to help preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals. This program places AmeriCorps members with local governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations around Minnesota, where they will serve for 11 months on focused environmental projects. The program is coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Minnesota GreenCorps is an AmeriCorps program. Funding is provided through a grant from ServeMinnesota and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

Highlights

Including the current program year, more than 75 AmeriCorps members have served with 46 organizations across the state. Former and current host site organizations include cities, counties, public schools, universities, watershed districts, and non-profit organizations.

Some results from the first two years of the program include:

• More than 20,000 community members engaged or educated by Minnesota GreenCorps members
• 11-57 percent increase in recycling at participating schools
• 48,187 trees inventoried
• 397,296 kWh avoided
• More than 90 green practices and technologies implemented by participating sites and partners

In the first two years of the program, our members have mobilized over 2,600 community volunteers on service projects around the state, including assistance with environmental fairs, community cleanups, waste sorts, tree inventory/citizen foresters, invasive species removal, tree plantings, gardening, rain garden building.

New!

The MPCA is now accepting applications for Minnesota GreenCorps/AmeriCorps members for the 2012-2013 program year. Please visit the Looking Ahead section for more details.

For more information

For more information, please contact the program coordinator, Stephanie Grayzeck Souter, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 651-757-2749.

Video

Member spotlight

Currently there are 31 Minnesota GreenCorps members serving at 25 host sites around the state.

2011: Member - Trevor Drake

Energy Conservation Corps Member at City of Rogers

About me. I attended St. John's University (Collegeville, Minn.), and earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies in 2010. I also attended the University of Oslo International Summer School's program on Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Development in 2010. In 2011 I served as an AmeriCorps member with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

About my service. I am serving in Energy Conservation at the city of Rogers. I initially spent time gathering data on the city’s energy consumption in public buildings. Now I am using that data to implement projects that reduce the City’s energy footprint and improve its public infrastructure. I also provide training to staff members on how to monitor and reduce energy usage. I work with city staff, engineering companies, energy utility companies, and non-profit organizations that provide technical assistance to cities.

Why I serve. After studying energy and sustainable development in Scandinavia, I knew that I wanted to help Minnesota communities become more sustainable. Minnesota GreenCorps puts me in a position to serve local communities, make measurable sustainability improvements, gain practical work experience, and connect with nearly 30 like-minded service members throughout the state. I couldn’t dream of a better way to spend 11 months!

Read more member features.